RaptorsHQ Rapid Recap - Portland Trailblazers 94 - Toronto Raptors 84

by Adam Francis on Jan 20, 2012 10:12 PM EST in Raptors Rapid Recap - 2010/11

-Dwane Casey lit a fire under the Toronto Raptors at halftime, helping them cut a big lead by the Portland Trailblazers to only five...but the same offensive woes once again did the Dinos in as they dropped their lone home match for a while, 94 to 84.

-The Raptors D was there for the most part once more, holding the Blazers to a mere 40 per cent shooting from the field, but in turn, they themselves couldn't hit the broad side of a barn door. In what's been a common theme to date this season, the Raps couldn't knock down shots when they needed to, hitting only 37 per cent. Add in the fact that Toronto was crushed on the glass, 55 to 40, and despite a better performances in other categories tonight, the Dinos came up with the L.

-The main glass crusher, and all around destroyer for the Blazers, was LaMarcus Aldridge. He was simply unstoppable scoring 33 points to go with his 23 rebounds, and he single-handily put the Raps in first quarter hole early that they failed to climb out of. Aldridge got some key baskets from teammates Raymond Felton and Jamal Crawford to keep the Raptors at bay, and really Portland's overall team effort ensured they didn't land their second straight loss.

-Even though the loss marks Toronto's seventh straight, there were some positives to take from this one. DeMar DeRozan wasn't exactly the measure of efficient shooting, but his 22 point performance (including 10 free throw attempts) was a big step back in the right direction for DD. And James Johnson made his coach's decision to start him again at the 3 look good, by turning in a career-high 23 points in addition to a stat-stuffing 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks.

-The Raps as noted now head back on the road after that one-game homestand. The club is in LA Sunday to take on the Clippers and they can only pray that Andrea Bargnani and Jerryd Bayless, or at least one of them, is ready to return. Both seem close as per team reports, and considering the Dinos woeful offense of late, a return against the high-powered Clips could not come a moment too soon.

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Foul troubles - what's up with that?

I clearly don’t know what’s a foul and what’s not … it looks to me like Demar has been getting whacked left, right and centre most of the year and rarely getting calls (though it looks like tonight with 10 trips was different)… but Amir Johnson raises an eyebrow at Rondo (for example) and gets called. Speaking of Rondo, he’s bumping and smacking Calderon around, but gets 2 PFs… I don’t get it…

So what’s the truth – are the Raps simply so undisciplined to result in a 10 foul differential each game? or are the refs calling it cause the Raps get no Rodney Dangerfield?

by distorto_666 on Jan 21, 2012 12:23 AM EST reply actions

I saw that too. DD does get wacked a lot driving in, but sometimes doesn’t get the call. Non-calls lower his morale and cause him to take outside jumpers.

Yet, I don’t like how he keeps looking for the call when he drives in. He does deserve a call most times. He should just try to finish rather than look for the foul.

by keepit4real on Jan 21, 2012 12:33 AM EST up reply actions

I Am An Optimist.

JJ proved to all of us that starting over Butler was the right choice. Not like we really had a choice to begin with…but congrats to him on his production tonight.

DD is coming back alive (with streaky shooting)! However, I want to know how he will perform with Bargnani in the line-up. Obviously DD will have more production (points) with Bargnani out, but since DD cant really create his own shots, I feel like he will struggle once again with Bargnani in the line-up. The Dinos really need some solid days to practice the plays on offense for the team.

LA was unstoppable, but for what its worth, I feel like the Raps played well tonight. Definitely some improvements over the last couple of games.

by keepit4real on Jan 21, 2012 12:31 AM EST reply actions

my only BIG gripe with the game

is perhaps Casey’s sups.
Early on, we saw our inside being eaten alive .
I simply feel he allowed AJohnson to stay in to long and get kicked by Aldridge.
IMO, subbing Gray in earlier would have prevented that 20 point lead they took.
It DID stop the inside attack.
If you don’t believe me…do the work.
Do the math.
Draw your chart….it plain stopped.

I would not have left Gray in long….and put AJ back in. But the stop had to be made. The allowing that separation in points with THIS team, without its top scorers, was not a reallt good idea.

I then think he left Gray in to long in the third and allowed his legs to get so weak he started throwing his elbows in picks rather than move his feet.

All this being said…is this the worst outside shooting team in the league?
Well, maybe not, IF you consider 2 top shooters are sitting out.

OK…then I will stay optimistic and say again THIS team will be a pretty good team once the bench is empty of rehabs.
And I say be damned with possible future lotto balls…I just can’t live in the future or land of make believe.
This comes from the bird of paradise flying up my nose to many times!
Every time life has a chance…MY future turns out rather botched!

I am gonna start living in the here and now!

by ppellico on Jan 21, 2012 7:17 AM EST reply actions