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For the third time in the last two seasons, the Raptors suffered a three-game losing streak. For the third time in the last two seasons, the Raptors ensured that streak did not hit four!
The Suns victory does not qualify as one of the signature wins of the season, but, as we saw during the 15-game win streak, Toronto has taken advantage of their schedule. When a Phoenix team stubbornly keeps single coverage on Pascal Siakam, they deserve the carnage that Spicy P inflicts.
In the latest episode of That’s A Rap, we break down the Suns-Raptors game and go a little gaga over Oguagua!
On This Episode:
The Raptors have endured injuries all season long. The team’s recent 3-game slide, including a deflating loss at home to Charlotte, may have shown which is the right (wrong?) combo of injuries for this squad to overcome. Toronto is essentially constructed with two point guards, two centres, and a whole bunch of wings of various sizes. With three of their four non-wings out, it’s been a little too difficult to overcome, even with Nick Nurse’s outstanding coaching.
When he’s not implementing drawing up Xs and Os, Nurse has also been known to call out players when they’re under-performing. The bench answered his latest criticism, specifically Chris Boucher. When not being called out, other players are finding their own motivation.
One player who has not needed calling out is OG Anunoby. The latest rash of injuries has allowed OG to take on more of featured role on offense and defense. His 32 points in Denver were a career-high, but it was the defense that stole the headlines. He followed up his career-high six-steal performance against Charlotte with seven steals against the Nuggets! Do you think he’ll earn a spot on the All-Defense team?
As Toronto gets closer to full health, the schedule will not afford any breaks. The upcoming back-to-back against the surging Kings and a very difficult Jazz squad is a rough way to wrap up a 5-games-in-8-nights road trip. We recorded this before the Warriors game, but how do you think Toronto will perform in Sacramento and Utah?
2:00 - Injuries hitting critical mass
8:30 - Finding different forms of motivation
17:10 - OG And-U-Know-Me, maaaan!
30:00 - Closing out the road trip