The Toronto Raptors come into FedExForum tonight to complete the second half of a back-to-back set after losing 117-101 in Houston last night. It was Toronto’s fifth loss in a row, sinking them to 3-12 overall, tied for the second worst record in the league.
This has to be one of the most disappointing teams in the league this season (at least to me), and it’s hard to blame the loss of Kyle Lowry for six games, as the team has been even worse when he has been in the lineup.
But issues abound elsewhere. Ostensible top scoring option Andrea Bargnani is a seven-footer and former top overall draft pick shooting 40% from the floor. Swingman DeMar DeRozan is still generally the same low-efficiency scorer he was before his big contract extension. Rookie center Jonas Valanciunas is a very promising prospect but is still pretty raw. But the biggest issue is a team defense that has slipped from 12th to 22nd despite ostensible upgrades at point guard and center.
Three quicks thoughts in advance of tonight’s game, with a mid-week column hopefully following later this afternoon.
1. The Return of Kyle Lowry: Former Griz guard Lowry, in his first season was Toronto, got off to a gangbusters start to the season before a bone bruise in his foot knocked him out for a couple of weeks. Upon return, he’s still be dynamic, but hasn’t been shooting well (36% post-injury). But Lowry has had some pretty good games in FedExForum since the team jettisoned him in favor of dedicating the job to Mike Conley (a decision I supported then and now, even if I didn’t much like the return for Lowry). Conley should be back after missing Monday’s game with the flu, so these two will go at it again.
