The Rap-Up: It’s beginning to look a lot like Tank-mas

The Raptors continue finding ways to lose games in the most exciting fashion.

For a team with the worst record in the NBA, the Toronto Raptors sure know how to keep games entertaining!

Game # 3 @ Minnesota. The Raptors never lead in the game and trail by double-digits for most of the game. The deficit grows as large as 22 in the third game. Toronto grits and grinds its way to a 7-point game in the final 2 minutes, but the comeback ultimately falls short.

Game # 4 vs Denver. The Raptors blow a 10-point lead in the final 2:17 of regulation as Jamal Murray ties the game in the final second. Down by 2 in the final seconds of overtime, RJ Barrett misses a go-ahead three-pointer. Ochai Agbaji AND Jakob Poeltl miss putback attempts at the rim as time runs out.

Game # 5 @ Charlotte. Down by 5 with 54 seconds remaining, Davion Mitchell scores a layup. Down by 5 with 29 seconds remaining, Barrett scores a layup. Down by 5 with 17 seconds, Mitchell scores a layup. Down by 5 with 7 seconds remaining, Gradey Dick scores a layup. Down by 5 with 1 second remaining, Mitchell finally attempts a three-pointer.

Game # 6 vs Lakers. The Raptors never lead in the game and trail by 24 after one quarter, then by 25 at the half. Toronto scraps its way back to within 6 points with 1:02 remaining but never gets closer.

Game # 7 vs Sacramento. The Raptors blow a 13-point lead in the final 5:17 of regulation as Domantas Sabonis ties the game with 2 seconds remaining. DeMar DeRozan misses a potential game-tying three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining in overtime but Barrett gifts it back by missing both of his free throws. DeRozan and De’Aaron Fox both miss game-tying threes to end the game.

Game # 8 @ Denver. The Raptors blow a double-digit, fourth-quarter lead to the Nuggets — the second time it’s happened in a week. Barrett barely misses a game-winning three-pointer as time expires.

Game # 10 @ Clippers. The Raptors come back from a 12-point, fourth-quarter deficit to tie the Clippers. Toronto tied the game on 3 different occasions in the final three minutes but never retook the lead. Down 3 with 8 seconds remaining, the Raptors inbound to Poeltl (for reasons unknown), leading to an automatic foul. Yet, Jakob almost single-handedly overcomes Toronto’s poor play calling by hitting the first free throw, intentionally missing the second free throw, and grabbing his own rebound, but missing the shot that would’ve sent the game to overtime.

Game #14 @ Boston. Despite playing on the backend of the back-to-back, the Raptors outplay the defending champions for most of the game. The lead changed hands 11 times in the fourth quarter and 5 more times in overtime. Yadda yadda yadda, Jayson Tatum wins the game at the buzzer.

What an exhausting, yet exhilarating path to the league’s worst record! Your 2024-25 Toronto Raptors!

November 18 vs Indiana Pacers

Indiana rolls into Toronto with minimal momentum to start the season. They are 6-7, which doesn’t look great but is actually still good for 6th in the conference. That may be more of a commentary on the dearth of quality teams in the East, but the players are not doing themselves any favours.

Tyrese Haliburton is culprit number one. The two-time All-Star is off to a rough start to the season. Last season’s leader in assists has dropped to 5th this year with a steep drop from 10.9 to 8.5. Hali’s points have also dropped dramatically from 20.1 to 16.2. Tyrese is shooting career-low percentages across the board: 40% from the field, 29% from three, and 78% from the line. Haliburton was flirting with the 50/40/90 club just two seasons ago.

On the bright side, Benedict Mathurin has been a ray of sunshine. He has carved a role with the starting unit and thriving with increased usage and minutes. Mathurin is 2nd on the team in scoring (18.8 points) and rebounds (6.4, just 0.2 behind Myles Turner). The jump in responsibility has not affected his efficiency. In fact, Benedict is shooting better than ever before with 50/40/81 splits.

Fun fact that may only interest me

Player 1: 19.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.2 blocks on 54.7/45.6/75.8 shooting. Salary this season = $42.2 million

Player 2: 13.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.6 blocks on 52.2/44.3/72.2 shooting. Salary this season = $4.3 million

Player 1 is Pascal Siakam. Player 2 is Ochai Agbaji.

Siakam has compiled better stats than Agbaji, but the gap isn’t as large as expected. A quick reminder that the trades that sent Siakam and Otto Porter Jr. (who retired after being traded) away, ultimately returned Agbaji, Kelly Olynyk, Bruce Brown, and Ja’Kobe Walter. Whether or not Brown gets traded later, Agbaji is proving that Masai Ujiri hasn’t lost his touch in getting value out of his trades.

Prediction

The Raptors welcome the Pacers to town at the right time. Indiana will be playing the second game of a back-to-back after playing a road/home doubleheader against the Miami Heat. The Pacers will be kicking a geographically curious three-game road trip that continues down to Houston, then back up to Milwaukee.

Toronto may be down to 10 healthy bodies, but the two victories have come at home against a former Raptor fave. First, it was Kyle Lowry and the Sixers, then DeRozan and the KIngs. Raptors cover the +3.5 spread.

November 21 vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota was the darling of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Their unexpected run to the Conference Finals gave Timberwolves fans plenty to be excited about and turned many heads. One of those heads was team Executive, Tim Connelly, who dove headfirst into the ticking timebomb that is the second apron. Minnesota’s roster was about to be untenable financially, so Connelly moved the face of the franchise, Karl-Anthony Towns to New York in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.

The early returns are mixed. On one hand, Minnesota already has losses to the San Antonio Spurs and the Portland Trailblazers (x 2!). On the other hand, several Timberwolves are littered across the NBA leaderboards. Anthony Edwards leads the NBA in three-pointers made (see what one summer with Steph Curry can do for your game?) and sits 7th in scoring. Rudy Gobert is in the top 13 (again) in rebounds and blocks. The ageless wonder, Mike Conley, is also among the league leaders in steals per game.

The most impressive Timberwolf (Timberwolve?) is Naz Reid. The reigning 6th Man of the Year is on a mission to prove the award will not be a one-off. Naz has taken advantage of the extra playing time/usage with KAT’s departure by playing the best basketball of his career. He has career-highs in points (15.4) and rebounds (5.3).....all while shooting 50/40/90.

Fun fact that may only interest me

As of Sunday, the Timberwolves have ZERO injuries reported.

Is that allowed?

Prediction

The T-Wolves will be well-rested after last playing on Sunday in a nail-biting win over the visiting Suns. Toronto’s already-depleted roster will look extra small against Minnesota’s frontcourt. Agbaji guarding Ant should be a lot of fun.

Minnesota covers the -10.5 spread. I imagine that spread will grow even more as Toronto’s lack of healthy bodies leads to a Minny blowout.

November 24 @ Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers have tied the ‘93 Rockets for the 2nd-best start to the season in NBA history. Houston, as well as the ‘15 Warriors that started 24-0, both went to the Finals in those respective seasons.

Head Coach, Kenny Atkinson, regularly uses 10 players every game, with no averaging more than 31 minutes. Despite little-to-no roster changes, the Cavaliers have jumped from 16th in offensive efficiency to 2nd (behind the Boston Juggernauts). Evan Mobley has seen his usage rate jump from 20.6 to 23.7%. He’s been doing his best Scottie Barnes impression, directing the offense and allowing Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland to run around and create havoc on the defense.

Fun fact that may only interest me

Garland is one of four players currently in the 50/40/90 club. You already know about Naz Reid. The other two are Al Horford and Taurean Prince.

WHAT?

I probably need to play around with the criteria a bit more.

Prediction

Cleveland will be very well-rested after not playing since a home date against the New Orleans Pelicans. Toronto’s overtime loss to Boston last Saturday was the first time this season I wished the team won. Losing as many games as possible should still be the objective, with the exception of defeating the defending champs.

The Raptors have no answer for the Cavaliers’ frontcourt (Poeltl is only one man). Cleveland covers the -15.5 spread.

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Last Week’s Record: 1-2

Season Record: 4-10