Raptors Rapid Recap - Toronto Shocks Boston 102 to 101

by Adam Francis on Nov 21, 2010 4:30 PM EST in Raptors Rapid Recap - 2010/11

-The Toronto Raptors are rolling. A shocking 102 to 101 win over the Boston Celtics this afternoon at the Air Canada Center means their third straight win, and their fourth in their last six matches. It was a fight to the finish as Toronto blew an 11 point lead late, but this Raptors squad fought to the bitter end as they've done in almost every game so far this season.

-Leading the way for Toronto? How about Toronto's big men; Andrea Bargnani, Reggie Evans and Amir Johnson. Bargnani played the role of offensive catalyst by pumping in 29 points, including hitting on 9 of 13 free throws. He had only 2 rebounds but who needs him to rebound when Amir Johnson and Reggie Evans had a combined 27?! Evans did the dirty work as usual but Amir Johnson was the hero down the stretch. He hit all 9 of his free-throws including the big final two with less than 3 seconds in the game, that gave Toronto the win.

-For Boston, it was the opposite story. Glen Davis and KG both had 12 points but spent most of the afternoon trying to put a lid on Bargnani, while Shaq lumbered his way to only 8 points and 5 rebounds before fouling out late. And while Nate Robinson, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce all had good scoring games, too much of that scoring came in the first quarter (Nate had 18 of his 22 in that Q.) And Pierce had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but his shot didn't go down.

-Up next for the Dinos? How about a rematch against the 76ers and a good opportunity to grab a fourth straight victory. Toronto's newest members will be in the line-up for that one, but considering how effective Triano's shortened 8 man rotation was today, it'll be interesting to see if the team tries to force Peja and Jerryd into immediate duty. Triano coached a good game with the 8 men he used so it'll be tough to stomach a bad loss at the expense of trying to show off guys like Peja.

Tweet Comment 33 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Nice to see Triano’s hand forced where he had to play only 8 guys. It only makes sense when your team lacks talent — shorten the rotation and let the guys who deserve to play do their thing.

Sorry I missed this one.

by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Nov 21, 2010 4:52 PM EST reply actions

I bet you did

after two years of waiting…….

by renato on Nov 21, 2010 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

This team does not lack talent, with Bargnani, DeRozan, Weems, Barbosa, and Kleiza et al available, what it lacks is NBA experience, and time playing together, which will come in time.

by Johnn19 on Nov 21, 2010 5:51 PM EST up reply actions

It is starting to look like it has too many players worthy of playing time

Good problem to have.

Happiness is that which gets lost in the details of its pursuit.

by HQ Interloper on Nov 21, 2010 5:58 PM EST up reply actions

I don't know

If working I would like to stick with an 8 or 9 man rotation where everyone knows there roles. I don’t know if it is a good problem to have too many players worthy of playing time. Messes with chemistry, case in point Triano doing the 5 man unit thing at the beginning of this year.

by Rhinos on Nov 21, 2010 6:25 PM EST up reply actions

doesnt julian wight deserve to play?

is it just me who thinks wright can be a contributor, and a good one at it. i dont know why hes not getting any mins after the way he played when kleiza was out. just saying, i wish this guy gets more respect from his coaches

by tea time on Nov 21, 2010 5:10 PM EST reply actions

Odd man out

by Tinmann on Nov 21, 2010 6:53 PM EST up reply actions

Wright is the 5th Wing, behind DeRozan, Weems, Barbosa, and Kleiza, and he will only play in garbage time or injury time, as he should.

by Johnn19 on Nov 21, 2010 5:46 PM EST reply actions

Some thoughts, aka "It"

For the longest time, except for the blip during the Washington game, I was a firm believer that Andrea Bargnani simply had “it”, that intangible quality that when it finally manifested would show that he could indeed lead this team by showing up against the big teams. Remember that test he scored so high on pre-draft? Could it be that it was situations like this against teams like this that those results were suggesting he’d be able to handle. I really wanted to see how he came out in this one and at some point during the thrid/early 4th I looked to my sister and said “Bosh couldn’t do this.”

It’s not the points, it’s that air of confidence, that, dare I say, GENUINE swagger that can lift a team beyond the sum of its parts and we’re starting to see it, come about slowly, and it’s…nice.

He might just have “it” and with each passing game “it” is coming into full bloom.

Happiness is that which gets lost in the details of its pursuit.

by HQ Interloper on Nov 21, 2010 5:53 PM EST reply actions

Slow down, eh.

but I do hope you are right.

by Tinmann on Nov 21, 2010 6:54 PM EST up reply actions

Bayless & Bargani

I think Colangelo has made a good trade. This Bayless kid is young with huge huge potential. I hope that they sit down with him and map out a plan to make him the best point guard he can be, then give him lots of opportunity to work on it in games. He was a beast in his short stay in college but hasn’t yet figured out the NBA game. Love to see him reach his potential.
On Andrea, I saw some figures the other day that he has increased his scoring and rebounding each year. This year, the rebounding is unlikely to improve as much because of the tremendous work of Reggie but what a scoring machine he has become and to think the discussion in the pre-season was about who could pick up Bosh’s scoring.

by raptball on Nov 21, 2010 5:55 PM EST reply actions

Barbosa ran the team better than Calderon

Just saying…and it was “controlled” Barbosa, looking to involve his teammates and not fire up crazy shots. This Barbosa could be useful in the short and long term.

Happiness is that which gets lost in the details of its pursuit.

by HQ Interloper on Nov 21, 2010 5:56 PM EST reply actions

I agree

Barbosa is a keeper, only 27 I believe

by raptball on Nov 21, 2010 5:57 PM EST reply actions

Amir

Did the job tonight.
25 minutes
17 points – 4 of 5 FG – 9 OF 9 FT’s
11 boards – 4 Offensive
2 ass – 0 TO’s
+14
Oh yeah, 5 fouls

Reggie played 32, was a – 18. Would like to see the minutes reversed..

by Tinmann on Nov 21, 2010 7:08 PM EST reply actions

I have to admit i am impressed by Amir’s improvement with free throws. It is kind of hard for him to play the minutes that you want because he is always in foul trouble.

by McGateway on Nov 22, 2010 7:20 AM EST up reply actions

The Blur

I agree that people are forgetting about Leandro, I am not sure what his injury status is, but he looked alright tonight. For those saying Jerryd should be the new starter (Franchise), i suggest you take a look at Leandro’s game today. It keeps Jose in the back up role he has excelled in, and to me Barbosa’s defence has been better than advertised. If we end up acquiring a top flight PG, starting is only going to drive up LB’s value anyway.

So nice to see Bargnani playing at this level. Everyone wants us to have a big, rebounding, shotblocking defensive centre, but who really cares. We have 2 bigs, our PF’s do the dirty work and Il Mago dazzles. It is nice to show up all the naysayers that disagree with the way this club is constructed, even though it is still early days. Always the optimist, I’d rather not be waiting for Andrea’s next Washington type game, rather I look forward to seeing him continue to blossom in this coming out season.

Walker McKenna

by Robert Archibald on Nov 21, 2010 7:28 PM EST reply actions

Why do people misquote from this website. At no time did Franchise say Bayless SHOULD start. He said that the team might look to start him in order to keep Calderon with the second unit where he seems to excel and get the most out of his teammates.

by McGateway on Nov 22, 2010 7:21 AM EST up reply actions

so, what's the plan?

do you want the Raps to lose, and draft high?

or start winning, and squeak into the playoffs?

if we keep winning games like this, hanging around until the buzzer, we will win our share from dumb luck, and the occasional skill play. Not supposed to happen that way for the lottery-bound! Clips are beating us in the regard.

by Gerry71 on Nov 21, 2010 8:37 PM EST reply actions

You always gotta try

Raptors still have some desirable commodities, Peja’s contract, Evan’s contract. the trade exception, and either Calderon or Bayless. BC still has some cards to play.
My goal has always been to get that PG we need via the lottery. Who knows, maybe BC just picked him up.

I am not sure whether this recent trade lowers our lottery odds or not, or whether we were a lottery team to begin with for that matter. Just know that even without last years lottery pick, this team is not as bad as I thought it would be.
Nice having low expectations.

by Tinmann on Nov 21, 2010 8:59 PM EST up reply actions

+100

That’s been my question for awhile now…everybody seems to want it both ways..hell francise had a one of his articles “the Harrison barnes race” have anybody seen the clippers this year?? Their horrible..hands down they got the best chance at getting Barnes. But when I read some comments during games were all happy when we win but the more we win the less chance we get at a high pick. So what is it that we want cause we can’t have it both ways.

by sherwin316 on Nov 21, 2010 9:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

conflicted

yup. that’s my observation exactly. and I am not sure what my feelings are on this, either.

by Gerry71 on Nov 21, 2010 10:32 PM EST up reply actions

Not conflicted

This should be tankapalooza 2010-2011, so far as I’m concerned. Nice to play well, but I want us to lose these games by one point, not win.

by RaptorsAddict on Nov 22, 2010 7:24 AM EST up reply actions

Establish an approach to the game that will translate to consistent winning when the talent gets better/more experienced

And if the team wins it’s share of games that way then so be it. The goal should always be winning, it sets the right mindset, but in the situation the Raptors are in, it should be about trying to achieve this goal while allowing the young players to make mistakes and learn.

You don’t just go out there and say “whatever” and let the losing just pile up.

For example, the Clippers have had lottery picks for a while and even now have what looks to be a special player putting up crazy numbers but no one in their right mind would use them as a model franchise. And they are never mentioned in discussions about teams that will be good in the future.

There are ways to lose while trying your best to win and the Raptors are a good example of that at the moment. This is how a SERIOUS contender is developed.

Happiness is that which gets lost in the details of its pursuit.

by HQ Interloper on Nov 21, 2010 9:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

well said

Walker McKenna

by Robert Archibald on Nov 21, 2010 9:10 PM EST up reply actions

good point

From the raps point of view of course you try to win every game and not just throw them away. I’m speaking from a fan perspective we seem to want it both ways by wanting us to win games but also lose our fair share so we can get a high pick..or still he in the running for Barnes. Its just hard to go for both, I even find myself at times cheering hoping we than realize shit we aint getting a high pick if we keep winning. And look at the clippers..I hope barnes doesn’t go there, such a waste.

by sherwin316 on Nov 21, 2010 9:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Well

How do you feel when they win? Does water tastes better? Does the sun shine brighter the next day? I enjoy it when they win so that is what I’d prefer because there really is very little control over what happens once picks are taken, regardless of how high. The difference this year is that I’m not bothered by the losses when they play the right way because it suggests my emotional investment will eventually pay off, even if it’s down the line. What I’ve seen so far this year for the most part is basketball worth watching because of the game itself, regardless of the outcome. In previous years watching wasn’t as enjoyable but as long as they won I was okay with it. This year is a much better way to go about things.

Happiness is that which gets lost in the details of its pursuit.

by HQ Interloper on Nov 21, 2010 10:13 PM EST up reply actions

Me?

I could care less about the draft right now. Got no idea with the lockout if this year’s draft is even going to be halfway decent

Kinnon "Vicious D" Yee
Author - RaptorsHQ.com Twitter @RapHQVicious

by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Nov 21, 2010 9:49 PM EST up reply actions

If you were in Triano's place

Would you intentionally loose games? Really?

by raptball on Nov 21, 2010 9:00 PM EST reply actions

Does the barnes cup become the motiejonas brothers award? :)

by Ustation on Nov 21, 2010 10:07 PM EST via mobile reply actions

The thing is...

You want players to have the freedom to make mistakes as they try to expand their games…

So try hard but don’t be afraid to fail…

You want a coach who can prove he can put together a solid game with whatever players he’s given to work with…

So try to win every game you can…

You want a GM who shows definitively what his vision and intentions for the team’s future is and sees it through, but admits when he’s made a mistake and moves forward…

So let the coach use the pieces you’ve given him as he sees fit and try to get him the best tools you can to succeed, but don’t force him to play guys a certain way to make your actions seem justified to the detriment of the team as a whole…

Besides anything else, no big name player will ever want to be the face of a franchise without a winning attitude and a chance at achieving great things…

by Mikthaniel on Nov 21, 2010 10:12 PM EST reply actions

No Rondo...........

Helped bigtime! But a win Against Eastern Conference Champions is Huge and ill take that too! Go Tdot

by True Mastermind on Nov 21, 2010 11:19 PM EST reply actions

toughness

nice to see we are a tough team this year. Even the losses are easier to watch. Now if we can avoid taking about six ill advised jump shots during the course of the game and as a collective group drive to the basket even a bit more we could have something here…imagine that we could be viewed as a physical team that wins because of effort instead of a skilled team that loses because it lacks effort…just imagine…

Now imagine we take out Miami in the playoffs…just imagine…where amazing happens?

Oh wait that was just one regular season game. Great game though and I still believe it starts this year.

by defensive rap on Nov 22, 2010 1:55 AM EST reply actions

want to lose

We need a star here, not a bunch of mediocre players who try hard—don’t get me wrong, this team is more fun to watch than ANY of Bosh’s teams (good riddance), but we should still be “trying” to lose 60+ games so that we get a top 3 pick. Name one under-talented team in the last decade that went deep in the playoffs because they were “scrappy.” It happens in baseball, but in the NBA, it’s all about giving it to your star over and over down the stretch—it’s why b-ball is the most individualistic of the major north american sports.

Incidentally, does anyone know what the status of the 2011 Draft is in relation to the upcoming lock-out? I’ve heard wildly different things, and I was wondering if anyone had some concrete information.

by Original Aaron on Nov 22, 2010 8:06 AM EST reply actions