Another tough Raptors loss against the Mavericks, latest in a series of entertaining games vs. good teams

I'm of the opinion that the final week for the Raptors has been way more promising than disappointing and I'll let you know this unequivocally:

Enjoying wildly entertaining video games in opposition to superb groups that go right down to the wire 4 video games out of 5 may not be one of the best for, say, somebody writing a narrative that needs to be filed concurrently with the buzzer however should you’re a sports activities fan, there’s not way more you'll be able to ask for.

Certain, extra wins could be good however I believe they’re coming. What nobody can say is that they’ve been cheated within the leisure worth a part of 4 of the final 5 video games.

I believe the advantages of them will come sooner or later and I might hope which you can recognize actually good, tight video games in opposition to good groups as a result of there are such a lot of stretches of canine video games over the course of a season.

Now, to wrap up final night time’s shut however no cigar night time in opposition to the Mavericks, this:

-

THREE POINTERS

-

A bit over-exuberant

There may be a lot to love about Justin Champagnie’s play, not less than there's about his rebounding and hustle and he made a three-pointer final night time in order that’s a step in the suitable path.

However should you play onerous you additionally should play good and his first jiffy of the fourth quarter final night time had been a bit an excessive amount of.

He someway dedicated 4 private fouls within the first 2:35 of the quarter and was single-handedly chargeable for the Mavs moving into the bonus for the ultimate 9:17 of the sport.

Dallas ended up going five-for-six from the road within the quarter so it wasn’t the worst factor on the earth however two key factors:

At the least two of Champagnie’s 4 quick fouls had been dedicated not less than 80 toes from the basket and that’s only a lack of defensive self-discipline for no purpose.

And, as Fred VanVleet stated, it made the Raptors play cautious the remainder of the night time.

“Anytime you get into the bonus with 9:17 within the fourth quarter, it’s drastically going to vary the way in which you strategy the defensive finish,” he stated. “So I used to be proud of our execution defensively in sure areas late as a result of we couldn’t contact anyone at that time. I believe that modified the panorama of how we had been guarding. It’s a troublesome one. You're taking your lumps and you progress on.”

-

What a mistake

We’ll have extra on this later at present however two Scotttie Barnes defensive lapses had been so obtrusive, I couldn’t consider them in actual time.

Within the first half, he simply by no means bought near Luka Doncic when Doncic took a 3 after which stood flat-footed whereas a protracted rebound bounced about eight toes from him and the Mavs bought a second possession.

Then essentially the most grievous one got here with a minute left when he completely shied away from Doncic as he hit the game-sealing three-pointer.

We rightfully laud Barnes for having an excellent rookie season however these sorts of performs are merely inexcusable.

And I do know on the second some folks had been declaring he was enjoying with 5 private fouls however you understand what? Who cares? Make the play you’ve bought to make, teammates and coaches positive discover once you don’t.

-

Dwell by the board, die by the board

The Raptors had one among their higher video games on the offensive glass with 16 offensive rebounds for 21 second-chance factors that stored them within the sport.

However twice within the final six minutes Toronto couldn’t monitor down missed Dallas photographs and the Mavs turned these offensive boards into three-pointers.

Little issues; they’ll kill you.

-

All proper, time to ask for mail for the weekend as a result of there’s mainly none there in the mean time. So begin filling up Ye Olde Mailbag by clicking on askdoug@thestar.ca a while at present.

Thanks.