Raptors Rapid Recap - Toronto 128 - Philadelphia 123 (OT)

by Adam Francis on Apr 3, 2010 4:24 PM EDT

-A win is a win, but the Toronto Raptors' 128-123 overtime victory over the Philadelphia 76ers was hardly a thing of beauty. Toronto let a 17 point lead evaporate late in the game and were forced to work extra hard for the W on this Saturday afternoon.

-Where to start with this mess? How about Raptors' coach Jay Triano, whose bizarre coaching decisions down the stretch nearly cost Toronto the game. Sonny Weems held the hot hand all afternoon, especially in the third quarter, yet Triano ignored Weems in the fourth, only going back to him for late-game defensive possessions. Instead, Triano opted to run Hedo Turkoglu out there, whose offence was mediocre at best this afteroon, and whose defence was virtually invisible. Triano also elected to stay in the zone, even though Philly's small-ball line-up was shredding it to bits, and finding open looks for 3's.

-As a result, Philly's athletic young scorers like Iguodala, Williams and Holiday wreaked havoc on Toronto's D and nearly got the 76ers the win. Iggy led all scorers with 33 points, while Holiday and Williams had 25 and 12 respectively.

-Toronto was led by Chris Bosh with a nice 28 and 12, with 7 assists thrown in for good measure. However the numbers are a bit misleading as CB4 really only woke up in the second half, and saw his turnover issues return as well. Weems as mentioned was dynamite with 18 points on 9 of 11 shooting, while Bargnani dropped in 23 and Antoine Wright had 15.

-While today's win puts Toronto a game above .500, I'm admittedly finding it incredibly hard to focus on anything else really because outside of Triano's bizarre moves, Toronto played well offensively, and aside from a brutal 19 turnovers, was decent at times on the defensive end. It really should have been enough to secure the victory but for some reason, even after his Yorkville outing, Triano and co's love affair with Hedo continues. Add in some minutes that should probably have gone to Jarrett Jack and Amir Johnson in the fourth, and if I didn't know better, I would have said Triano was doing his best to "out-tank" the 76ers.

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I don’t like Triano anymore. From what I’ve heard, even in past experiences as coach he would rarely focus his attention on defense and would make very questionable calls during games. He’s still doing that, and he comes off to me as a very stubborn coach (ala Cito Gaston). He’s not going to last long in the NBA IMO.

by Frag on Apr 3, 2010 5:07 PM EDT reply actions

If my Cavaliers were to lose to one team...

…it would upset me least if it were to the Raptors. Your lovely Toronto, your decent people…of course I will root for my team, as I have, through good times and bad, for forty years, but should we meet in the playoffs, I wish you good luck, and good games, and hopefully good memories, and especially, that nobody gets hurt on either side.

Go Cavs, and Go Raptors, I really hope you can hang onto that eighth spot, at least, if not catch fire and move up, because your city and your fans deserve it.

by AncientMariner on Apr 3, 2010 6:16 PM EDT reply actions

Take the win on the road

but I agree, looked like Triano was looking for a way to lose..
Hope Chicago lose.

by Tinmann on Apr 3, 2010 6:51 PM EDT reply actions

Gives me ZERO confidence that he will do the correct thing in the playoffs.

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

by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Apr 3, 2010 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Re Triano

I think you meant he was trying to outthink the 76ers, by staying big when they went small, which in the end worked out. Great coaching job whenever your team wins when they are supposed to. Still 2 up on Chicago, and Magic number 5 now for the playoffs, with Bulls playing Charlotte tonite.

Glad Jack did not get any more 2nd half mins, after a decent 1st half 9pts,2 asts, he disapeared with 3 asts, and the offense stopped and the lead went from 15 to 5 when he came in the 3rd with 3 to’s and 2 bricked FT’s in the last 20 secs, when he came in that could have cost the game, if not for a great Wright/bargnani rebound on the 2nd miss, to give him a 2nd chance . Sometimes you play great, sometimes not. Tonite it was Calderon’s turn to excel .

by Johnn19 on Apr 3, 2010 7:56 PM EDT reply actions

For all those who keeps wanting weems on the floor

Do you not remember his 2 missed fts late in the game against charlotte? I think Weems need a little more polish/experience before being trusted with minutes late in the fourth/clutch time.

by 7-9nomore on Apr 3, 2010 8:16 PM EDT reply actions

They could have found him at least five minutes here and there. And for the Raptors, with the lead, you want a better defensive option (especially since Weems was so hot the entire day)

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

by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Apr 3, 2010 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions

it doesnt matter what a player did a game or two ago, if he is hot today, you ride that player ([ause) – guaranteed sonny was not thinking about his poor play of two games ago when he was hitting shots from everywhere, no professional baller would.

by glennery on Apr 4, 2010 3:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Funny stuff

Articles in The Star today:
“Jay Triano hoping to keep Chris Bosh fresh as pace picks up down the stretch”

“Bosh leads Raptors past 76ers in OT win”

Hilarious

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

by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Apr 3, 2010 11:42 PM EDT reply actions

jay triano is not a winner, period. many of you are surprised at the coaching decisions he made today, but the fact is he has been this way all season. i dont know what it is, but when i look at the man i do not see a motivator, i do not see a winner. his reluctance to make line up changes pre or during games is ridiculous, it’s like he is afraid of his own players. when he speaks he tries to come across as calm and poised but to me he sounds weak and intimidated. another thing that pisses me off about the dude is that he leaves guys on the floor when they are playing terribly, now he may just be waiting to get some kind of flow established but damn if someone is playing bad don’t give them more PT…whew, i feel a lot better now…rant over.

by glennery on Apr 4, 2010 3:34 AM EDT reply actions