The Raptors are in the make or break stretch

Samson Folk & Trevon Heath detail the latest in the Raptors realm.

From Camden’s QR:

“Barnes: D+

Barnes’ shot-making wasn’t really there tonight, as evidenced by the point-blank wide open layup he missed after a fantastic Poeltl pass at one point. What bothers me more was his unwillingness to try and attack with force. While he continued his streak of top-notch playmaking (and yes there were impressive passes), it came at the expense of attacking the rim like he needs to do. Felt he played with not enough punch at all. Late in the fourth the Raptors’ comeback slowed once he took over playmaking duties from Shead when I would have rather he played off Shead as a screener and tried to get into the paint for some buckets.”

From Camden’s roundup:

“The way this past week went is certainly evidence that putting the ball in Barnes’ hands more is needed, but we have to remember why the Raptors traded for Ingram to begin with. The half court scoring on this team was putrid for years, and Ingram provided a solution, albeit a flawed one. As Joe concluded in his piece, there’s a need for Ingram, and if he can be deployed alongside this fast, fluid offense that the Raptors displayed, then the ceiling of this offense is much higher.

I’ve harped on this before, but this season has been a success regardless of how you feel about the team. All of these late-season games, running the offense through Barnes, playing without Ingram, or Quickley, or Barrett, or Poeltl, is all important data points. And really that’s what this season was all about, collecting as much data as possible to inform the next iteration of this team, both for the coaching staff and the front office.”

Raptors injury situation:

“The Raptors announced a big injury list that contains two starting five members who are already confirmed out for their second leg of a back-to-back against the Sacramento Kings tonight, as Brandon Ingram headlines the list after returning last night against the Detroit Pistons with his heel injury.

Immanuel Quickley still remains out with his plantar fasciitis injury that he picked up against the Phoenix Suns back on March 22 in their 120-98 road loss. Jamison Battle also remains out with his illness, and Chucky Hepburn (G-League assignment) makes it a confirmed four players who won’t be available for Toronto for their matchup against Sacramento.

Have a blessed day.

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