Raptors Rapid Recap: Cleveland 126 Toronto 118

by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Feb 26, 2010 10:08 PM EST in Game Day

- On a night when most people are focusing on hockey, the Raps put on quite a display forcing the league's best into an overtime session. Despsite not having Chris Bosh for the fourth game in a row the Raps put up a valiant effort only to fall short in the extra session.

- After a lackluster effort against the Blazers the Raps got great efforts from virtually every player who saw the floor save for one or two exceptions. Stepping up big for the Raps were Jarrett Jack, Reggie Evans and Hedo Turkoglu. Jack played an almost flawless offensive game while Reggie Evans was a man possessed. Turk, who has now played some good "ball" the past week had a few clutch buckets in the fourth.

- Another big reason the Raps were able to stay in the game was they did a much better job protecting the basketball. The Raps only had 10 turnovers on the evening which was key as the Cavs love to run and get easy hoops in transition off the opposing teams miscues. If the Raps had done a better job on the glass I am not so sure the Cavs would have won this game.

- LeBron James had a bit of a rough evening in that the Raps were playing him tough and really putting a body on him. Although James once again filled the stat sheet I am not sure what else the team could have done to slow him down. His ability create space and get shots, even with guys draped all over him, sets him apart from 99% of the players in the league. He was clutch down the stretch and took whatever the Raps threw at him.

- The Cavaliers were just too much in the end. Even though this was a loss you have to be impressed with the effort put forth by the Raptors.

- Go CANADA Go!

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Blame jay triano

What was up with that last play of the 4th quarter? Does the last shot always have to go to hedo turkoglu? That was the worst play made, we didn’t even need to use the timeout. Pathetic. Why take a 3 point shot? I’m still upset about it, I figured Cleveland would take over in OT which is why I changed to hockey after that pathetic play.

by tea time on Feb 26, 2010 10:18 PM EST reply actions

There’s a better chance of taking a 3 and getting it in, than taking a 2 and going to overtime and winning. Its been proven statistically

Fan of :
Toronto Raptors
Arizona Cardinal
Kansas Jayhawks

by zAIN J on Feb 26, 2010 10:58 PM EST up reply actions

The DD experiment has to end

It’s time to move DD out of the starting lineup. He has shown some promise but as teams are starting to pick up the intensity as the playoffs draw near, he has completely disappeared. We can’t continue to give up these early leads. I was watching Lebron play defence…he was playing so far off DD that he may was well have been playing free safety. That makes it harder for everyone else.
Switching DD with Weems would not drastically alter the rotation. Weems is much better defensively. I think DD is a good fit with the second unit at this point in that the 2nd unit runs more and DD is at its best in the open court.
My fear is that we will wait too long to make the change. I don’t want to see a change on the eve of the playoffs with no time for the new rotation to settle.

by cmrm123 on Feb 26, 2010 10:34 PM EST reply actions

totally agree

AirCompton is probably the worst player on this team (aside from POB) I would much rather have a guy like Marcus Banks playing because he has the mental toughness that DD lacks completely. I was cheering for DD hoping he would develop into a Jason Richardson type player. But the more you look at him, getting a Desmond Mason comparison is starting to seem like an extreme stretch for this kid

Fan of :
Toronto Raptors
Arizona Cardinal
Kansas Jayhawks

by zAIN J on Feb 26, 2010 10:57 PM EST up reply actions

It was a good effort

if you axe the OT. WE NEED TIES!

Ball.

by Casusby on Feb 26, 2010 10:47 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, 1 point for an overtime loss?

I just finished watching the last 16 minutes, which turned into the last 21 minutes. I loved the comeback and the last three minutes of regulation. But to come so close to a huge win, and to fall short . . . it’s like being up by two going into the tenth end, and losing in the eleventh.

Oh well, at least I have a fun Sunday activity planned now.

by Aaron Craig on Feb 26, 2010 10:59 PM EST reply actions