Watched first half
This loss marks the first time the Raps have lost ten in a row since 2006. The Bucks are last in the league in scoring but get 25 more points than their season average of 91, against weak Raptors defense. Amir Johnson leads the Raptors with 24 and 12. Poor helpside and team defense repeatedly cost the Raps points around the basket and allowed Bucks to get to the rim. With 2.8 left in regulation and the score tied, Triano draws up the play for a fading Bargnani jumper that was a prayer and literally a “longshot.” DeMar has an unreal reverse layin to keep the game close in overtime but the Raps fall. Corey Maggette finishes with 29 and 11 and hits the lucky bounce on a three-pointer at the end of overtime.
Game 48 – @ Minnesota (L 103-87 / 13-35 / streak L11) Saturday January 28, 2011
Watched a couple minutes
DeMar DeRozan has improved his scoring by 6.9 points this season, which is the most among NBA sophomore players. Kevin Love seems to be doing it all this season and hopes NBA coaches will notice his efforts and reward him with an All-Star berth (he certainly has the numbers). He finishes this game with 21 and 12 for his 42nd double-double (33rd straight) of the season and even hits a three-pointer. Both teams have struggled to win this year, but only Toronto struggled today.
Game 49 – @ Indiana (L 104-93 / 13-36 / streak L12) Monday January 31, 2011
Watched the whole game
Lost 12 straight now which is the most since the season before the Raptors drafted Chris Bosh, but the most ever was 17 in a row in 97-98. At 13 and 35 it’s hard to believe the optimism of 13 and 24 before this losing streak, were we ever optimistic? Surely not now. Poor transition defense, stagnant sequences on offense, inability to set up consistently into offensive schemes, poor efforts on defense and rebounding and simply getting outhustled led to a tough game. Box out! Wish we had Roy Hibbert whom we traded for Jermaine O’Neal back when we were trying to eke into the playoffs to please Chris Bosh. The Pacers seem collected despite this being their first game after the firing of coach Jim O’Brien after a 17-27 start, which is four games better than the Raptors. The Raps go on a 13-0 run (to bring it within 7) near the end of the first half sparked by Ed Davis’ offense, hustle, rebounding and energy. With five minutes left in the third the Raptors big men let up about five straight offensive rebounds and are absolutely bullied down low by Granger and Hibbert. When Bargnani makes a ‘strong’ drive to the basket, how strong is it really? I think opposing teams have the Raptors figured out; take Bargnani out of the equation and pressure the defense and Toronto will crack. I’m afraid that Triano doesn’t have plan B. I also fear that if the Raps players haven’t “given up the season” yet, they soon will and it’s already so ugly I wouldn’t want to see them when the players stop caring. Triano’s getting frustrated, hopefully he can yell some sense into his team.
"We need to develop some new offensive tactics"
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