Young guns show out as Raptors fight for playoffs – Raptors Roundup

Welcome to Raptors Roundup! A weekly recap of everything going on in the world of the Toronto Raptors.

We’ve arrived in the home stretch. The next four games will determine the Raptors’ fate. Will they secure the 6th seed? Slide to the play-in? Lose out and fall into the lottery? Miraculously jump to the 5th seed? Literally any outcome between the 5th and 10th seed is in play, and things are going to move quickly over the next week.

Over the last few editions of this piece, I’ve continuously harped on the fact that getting playoff experience should be the priority right now, and a big reason for that is so we can continue to assess the players on this roster and how they compete in a slowed down, high-intensity, halfcourt-centric style that the playoffs brings. A piece of that is also that gaining playoff experience for the young guys — Jamal Shead, Ja’Kobe Walter, and Collin Murray-Boyles — will go a long way in understanding their development needs.

Yesterday’s game against Boston was a glimpse at the ability they have to show up in big games, even if the stars aren’t. Over the past week, the Raptors went 1-3, and nearly everyone had a negative +/- over that span. Everyone except for three guys: Shead (+8.8), Murray-Boyles (+7.3), and Walter (+6.3). Whenever they were on the court, the Raptors were winning their minutes. Shead had one of his best games in a loss to the Kings, Murray-Boyles scored a career-high 20 points and averaged 16 on the week, Walter continued to knock down big time shots and was massive against the Celtics hitting 4 threes and playing strong defense.

I want to see these guys in the playoffs, some of them could very well be starters next season and getting these additional high-intensity reps is critical as the Raptors set their sights higher next season. You want these guys in the playoffs now while the stakes are low so they can be prepared as the team aims for deeper runs.

Game Recaps

Raptors offense, then defense sputter in loss to Pistons | Final: 116-127

In terms of early play? The Raptors went painfully slow. The Pistons sat on their early actions (away, zoom, option screens, you name it) hand fighting and battling to take away first options and move the Raptors deeper into the clock. It worked extremely well. It took the Raptors over 7 minutes of game time to make their first field goal – an RJ Barrett layup in transition after a blind-double and steal on Jalen Duren. It jumpstarted a meaningful run for the Raptors to bring them back within 2 points.

“As funny as it sounds, it’s extremely simple. Just throw the ball to the open man, right?” J.B. Bickerstaff told me before the game of how to avoid turnovers against the Raptors. “That’s the way they defend, and I’m not being short, they literally try to pinch and bring as many bodies to the ball as they can. So, if you just pass the ball to the open man the game becomes really, really easy…”

In the trudge towards the final buzzer the Raptors found a couple things that worked. A wedge screen for Ingram, some more pitch plays for Barrett. Barnes pushed even harder and tried to create while sprinting up court. A helter-skelter run of play by the bench that crept close to faux comeback range. None of it was enough though. From the start of the game, the Raptors were behind in creation. They were behind in shot making. They were, frankly, far worse at offense. The Pistons shot better than them at the rim, in the mid-range, and from downtown. They couldn’t get out from under their own limitations.

• Samson Folk

Top Performers:

1. Collin Murray-Boyles – 14 PTS, 10 REB, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 7-13 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-2 FT, +3 +/-
2. RJ Barrett – 24 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 7-12 FG, 2-4 3FG, 8-10 FT, -21 +/-
3. AJ Lawson– 13 PTS, 3 REB, 1 STL, 4-5 FG, 3-3 3FG, 2-3 FT, +16 +/-

 Raptors missteps continue with loss against ailing Kings | Final: 115-123

Last night’s loss was closer than the final score suggests, but Toronto should have never been in that position against a team like Sacramento. For a team that is supposed to be high level on defense, allowing DeRozan and Achiuwa to combine for 56 points and close you out is a tough pill to swallow. With last night’s loss the Raptors have dropped back down into the play-in, and depending on how the teams around them play the rest of the way, they could wind up staying there. Their next game is in Memphis against the Grizzlies, and on paper it looks like a game they should win decidedly, but after last night, all bets are off.

• Mikai Bruce

Top Performers:

1. Jamal Shead – 16 PTS, 1 REB, 7 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK 5-9 FG, 3-3 3FG, 3-7 FT +17 +/-
2. Collin Murray-Boyles – 20 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 7-9 FG, 0-1 3FG, 6-8 FT +5 +/-
3. Sandro Mamukelashvili – 17 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 7-10 FG, 3-5 3FG, -9 +/-

Raptors take care of business against Memphis Grizzlies | Final: 128-96

No recap for this one written, but there’s not much to say. After a slow start the Raptors turned it up and absolutlely demolished a team that they were supposed to demolish.

Top Performers:

1. RJ Barrett – 25 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST, 1 BLK, 9-17 FG, 4-6 3FG, +26 +/-
2. Collin Murray-Boyles – 19 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 7-10 FG, 5-8 FT +22 +/-
3. Brandon Ingram – 17 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST, 1 BLK, 6-11 FG, 2-3 3FG, 3-3 FT +27 +/-

A fourth quarter meltdown in Beantown | Final: 101-115

If this was a playoff preview, the Raptors showed they are a first round exit. They aren’t good enough to compete with the league’s elite.

To their credit however, they were competitive for the first three quarters, even if Neemias Queta looked like Jalen Duren as the Celtics got off to a 10-2 start. When the Raptors couldn’t answer back with 3s, Ja’Kobe Walter stepped up big time, hitting 3-4 from downtown.  

Though Barnes got hurt early in the game, he really pushed the tempo and was aggressive offensively in the third. The Shead – Walter – BI – RJ – CMB lineup was looking promising, and the Scottie – AJ – BI – Mamu – CMB lineup tied the game up in the third. 

Perhaps, CMB needed a break at the start of the fourth, but his presence was missed at the start of the fourth. The Celtics quickly got to a double-digit lead and put a firm seal on the Raptors’ ceiling.

• Teru Ikeda

Top Performers:

1. Ja’Kobe Walter – 16 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 6-9 FG, 4-5 FT, -5 +/-
2. Collin Murray-Boyles – 12 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 5-8 FG, 2-4 FT -1 +/-
3. Sandro Mamukelashvili – 10 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 2-4 FG, 2-3 3FG, 4-4 FT, -8 +/-

Raptor of the week: Collin Murray-Boyles

These reps down the stretch have been critically important for Murray-Boyles, and is part of why I’ve advocated for the Raptors making the playoffs. Murray-Boyles has had a phenomenal rookie season, his defense is leagues ahead for a rookie and this past week he’s shown offensive chops as well. Despite being undersized I still want to see the coach Darko put Murray-Boyles in the starting lineup more often. Murray-Boyles fits better with his defensive scheme as he can stick with smaller players on the perimeter on switches and he also battles against size with his stout frame. He’s one of the Raptors I desperately want to see in the playoffs as he seems like someone who will step up and show more as teams adjust to what he does well. In a slowed playoff environment his switchability and physicality will be essential.

On the week, Murray-Boyles averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 stocks while shooting 65% from the field and 59.1% from the free throw line. Truthfully he could have easily been up to 18 or 19 points per game given what he left at the charity stripe and the fact that he still struggles finishing at the rim. Really exciting stuff from the rookie down the home stretch.

Current Raptor of the Week standings:

1. Scottie Barnes – 6 times
2. Brandon Ingram – 4 times
3. Collin Murray-Boyles – 3 times
4. Immanuel Quickley – 2 times
5. Ja’Kobe Walter – 2 times
6. RJ Barrett – 1 time
7. Jakob Poeltl – 1 time

Top pieces of the week

Why playoff exit ‘doesn’t diminish’ season for Raptors 905

Which is what Jones made sure to tell his players after Tuesday’s playoff exit.

“That’s the first thing I said,” the second-year bench boss explained. “I said ‘this loss doesn’t diminish what you guys accomplished this season.’ … They really put on this year. The way they allowed me to coach them, the way they adhered to our standard every single day.”

A standard built upon Jones’ four C’s: “Care, connection, character and competition. I’ve led with that since I’ve been here, and our guys have embraced it.”

What they accomplished by adhering to those principles was a G League-best 37-13 record through the tip-off tournament and regular season. A campaign that began with a record 16-0 start and a No. 1 seed en route to the tip-off tournament finals. (It also included the unveiling of a historic new practice facility.) And far removed from the last three seasons of .500 or below showings.

Team success that drove plenty of individual accolades, with two G League All-Stars (Lawson and Alijah Martin) and three players (Julian Reese, Olivier Sarr, and David Roddy) signing two-way deals with other NBA organizations in the back half of the regular season.

• Zulfi Sheikh

What to know about Mabrey and the rest of the Tempo’s expansion draft picks

After two years of anticipation and a timeline that cut things as close as they could conceivably get, the Toronto Tempo finally have their first 11 players.

At Friday’s expansion draft, the Tempo used 11 of the 12 selections available to them to build the first international WNBA team. Although the Tempo missed out on the top Canadian available — the Portland Fire took Bridget Carleton first overall — Toronto still took a global approach to building its inaugural squad. With eight international players, a heavy serving of shooting guards, and a concerted focus on younger players, it’s clear the Tempo already have a strong sense of where they’re headed.

Even as we anticipate more moves to happen during free agency, and await the college draft, let’s take a moment to get to know each of these 11 inaugural selections.

Here’s what you should know about the Tempo’s first-ever players:

• Sarah Maat

Scottie Barnes isn’t a point guard, but he’s a great playmaker: Folk’s Smoke

What’s been clear, no matter where Barnes has played or what position, is that he’s an extremely gifted passer. It was clear at Montverde (if you wanna go see he and Cade Cunningham pal around and dominate). It was clear at Florida State. It’s been clear since he jumped into the NBA. Barnes processes the floor quicker than most other players in the world. His frame and athleticism are standouts, obviously, but I’d argue the way he thinks the game is his greatest asset.

The last week or so of Barnes getting a lot of the basketball and the shots he’s created are largely a product of how he sees the game, rather than how he bends defenses.

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, April 7th – Heat @ Raptors | 7:30pm ET on TSN

Thursday, April 9th – Heat @ Raptors | 7:00pm ET on Sportsnet

Friday, April 10th – Raptors @ Knicks | 7:30pm ET on TSN

Sunday, April 12th – Nets @ Raptors | 6:00pm ET on Sportsnet

Record Prediction: 2-2 – I’ve tried manifesting good things with these predictions and it hasn’t gone particularly well. With the way the Raptors have played lately I find it hard to believe they’ll win two in a row against Miami, but should certainly win one. Then for the two games in the state of New York I imagine we’ll see a Knicks loss and Nets win but who knows, maybe they lose to the Nets too.

That’s a wrap on this week’s edition of Raptors Roundup, thank you for reading! Have a wonderful week!

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