RAPTORS IGNORING REPETITIVE MISTAKES
The recipe for offensive success within the Toronto Raptors roster is as easy as counting the number of times the ball switches hands and switches sides.
Ball movement forces a defence to move and adjust and when the defence is moving and adjusting, openings get created.
In the heat of the game quite often, ball movement falters.
Monday night against the Indiana Pacers the Raptors had periods of great ball movement, but they were all undone by a succession of possessions where a few individual players decided what they had early on in the possession was a good look and they took it.
That offensive mistake — honestly, it's only a mistake if the ball doesn't find the bottom of the hoop, which it didn't — led directly to a defensive mistake as the Raptors were slow to get back on defence leaving the Pacers with great chances at the other end.
“I think we had too many in a row — pull-up three, pull-up three, pull-up three, pull-up three — and the game changed,” guard Fred Van-vleet said. “For stretches there we just didn't execute well enough to give our defence a chance, and we already weren't playing that well defensively so that certainly didn't help our chances.”
This is not to say that no Raptor should ever attempt a pull-up three just seconds into the shot clock, but being aware of how frequent these shots are attempted is important.
“It's just we have an aggressively free-flowing offence and kind of an equal opportunity thing,” Vanvleet said. “And so, if a guy is dribbling it up and he feels like he's got a look, he takes it. And if you make it it's a great shot and if you miss it it's terrible. But, like I said, I don't think we can survive three or four or five of those in a row. One maybe and then after that it's like, `All right we've got to get another good shot, especially with the way the game is going.' ”
Poor shot selection isn't a regular occurrence with the Raptors, but when it does happen, pulling out a win becomes much more difficult.
A PROBLEM WITH THE WHISTLE
Officiating and arguments naturally go hand in hand.
A call has to be made and more often than not, it's not the one 50 per cent of the audience expects or wants.
Following Monday's loss to Indiana, Raptors head coach Nick Nurse clearly was unhappy. He thought too many calls were in favour of the Pacers — and thought he was ignored when he was trying to get a timeout called before Chris Boucher slid out of bounds in possession of a rebound. It's possible the official didn't see Nurse but it was the kind of night where every perceived slight was magnified.
Nurse also thought the whistle prevented his team from playing what had been an effective defence.
Vanvleet said: “There are nights when the whistle goes your way and there's nights when it doesn't,” choosing his words carefully so as to not get fined by the NBA. “But I think for me, personally — I can't speak for any of the other guys — (Monday) I was just disappointed in the relationship and the back and forth that was going on between the players and the officials. So, I can't speak to any calls or things that I would like to go in different ways, but I will say that getting a warning seven, eight minutes left in the first quarter that we were talking too much and complaining too much, that sets a hard precedent for the rest of the two hours that we've got to spend in the arena.”
Protesting calls is as much about getting the next one as it is about a complaint about the one you just got. Putting a team on warning that early in the contest takes an already potentially adversarial relationship and amplifies it.
“I don't want to single those guys out,” Vanvleet said of Monday's officiating crew. “I don't want to single any plays out, but it is very, very difficult to play that way.”
Vanvleet suggested by taking away the freedom to complain, the officiating crew took a strategic avenue normally open to the Raptors and closed it.
QUICK HITS: Nurse expected Pascal Siakam would get another look from the Raptors' medical people upon returning to Tampa, but had no real feeling on whether Siakam was looking at missing more games. He sat out both ends of the back-to-back in Indiana. According to Nurse, Siakam hurt the knee on a dunk a few games ago but he's been progressing since then ... The Raptors are one of just six teams not to have been hit by a game(s) postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic this season. The other five are the Nets, Knicks, Nuggets, Lakers and Clippers.
SCOUTING REPORT
Wednesday: Milwaukee Bucks (10-6) at Toronto Raptors (7-10), 7:30 p.m. ET, Amalie Arena, Tampa.
It got quite a bit easier to breathe in Milwaukee when Giannis Antetokounmpo put pen to paper and signed his max-contract extension earlier this off-season. With the Greek Freak locked up and newcomer Jrue Holiday running the point the Bucks appear to be a much tougher out. Toronto's defence will have its work cut out for it as the Bucks not only score more than any team ( just over 120 points a game), they own the highest field goal percentage (49 per cent) and offensive rating as well. (117.9).
All signs: Caution! Avoid shopping and important decisions from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. After that, the moon moves from Cancer into Leo.
Aries (March 21 — April 19): Be careful today because most of this day is a Moon Alert. Therefore, restrict your spending to food and gas and postpone important decisions for another day.
Taurus (April 20 — May 20): This is a mildly accident-prone day, so pay attention to everything you say and do. I say this because the Moon Alert is in a part of your chart that affects everyday movements including transportation.
Gemini (May 21 — June 20):
Avoid financial decisions and shopping today because today's Moon Alert is taking place in one of your Money Houses. Restrict spending to food.
Cancer (June 21 — July 22):
Today the moon is in your sign and it's a Moon Alert most of the day! This is why you might feel disoriented and indecisive. (It's a poor day for decisions anyway.)
Leo (July 23 — Aug. 22): Most of this day is a Moon Alert so restrict spending to food and gas. However, tomorrow will be the Full Moon in your sign — the only one all year. (Yikes!) Naturally, you feel a buildup of energy.
Virgo (Aug. 23 — Sept. 22): This is a good day for a heart-to-heart talk with a friend or a member of a group. However, agree to nothing important because most of today is a Moon Alert. Go gently.
Libra (Sept. 23 — Oct. 22): Be especially careful talking to parents, bosses, teachers and VIPS today. Do not volunteer for, or promise, anything. Do not agree to anything important. Most of this day is a Moon Alert.
Scorpio (Oct. 23 — Nov. 21): Today you want some adventure! Because most of today is a Moon Alert, means anything can happen. Nevertheless, confine your spending to food and gas. Batten down the hatches.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 — Dec. 21): Do be careful today because there's a Moon Alert all day; meanwhile, you're interested in financial matters, shared property, taxes, debt, mortgages and such. This is a poor day for important decisions or spending.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 — Jan. 19): You must be accommodating when dealing with others today; nevertheless, most of this day is a Moon Alert. Therefore, don't agree to anything important.
Aquarius (Jan. 20 — Feb. 18):
You are powerful with so many planets in your sign including Mercury; however, this is a poor day to make decisions or direct the activities of others. Keep a low profile.
Pisces (Feb. 19 — March 20): It will be easy for you to be low key today because this is really what you want to do. However, do take note that this is a highly creative day for you! It's a poor day to spend money (except for food) but it's a great day to dream up imaginative ideas and concepts.
If your birthday is today: Actor Patton Oswalt (1969) shares your birthday today. You are trustworthy, broad-minded and are an excellent teacher because you love to encourage and motivate others. Service to others will be an important theme for you this year, especially within your family. Therefore, take care of yourself so that you can be a strong resource. Meanwhile, decide to invest in the relationships that you value.