Raptors’ rising pains proceed in street loss to Timberwolves

Article content material

Ideally, Gradey Dick and Ochai Agbaji can be coming off the bench enjoying with vitality and offering the Raptors with a spark.

Article content material

Dick is the higher shooter, Agbaji the superior defender.

If the Raptors have been someway capable of mix the 2 into one participant they’d have a possible all-star within the makings.

When it comes to actuality, every has been compelled to begin within the wake of accidents to the workforce’s incumbents.

These should not perfect occasions for the Raptors, who performed their first street sport of the younger season Saturday night time towards the host Minnesota Timberwolves.

Indicators of encouragement are at all times most well-liked when offering glimpses of what may in the future grow to be a related Raptors workforce.

The Kansas connection of Dick and Agbaji was fairly good, particularly within the opening half when the combo mixed to attain 23 of Toronto’s 44 factors on 10-of-16 capturing.

Every was aggressive, fearless and enjoying with confidence, which solely bodes nicely.

Article content material

When further shooters can someway be acquired or developed, one can see a world the place Scottie Barnes is extra facilitator than scorer when his jumper is off, even when injured level guard Immanuel Quickley returns from his opening-night setback.

We apologize, however this video has did not load.

Play Video

Talking of setback, the Raptors succumbed to the T’Wolves, 112-101.

Barnes stays a power when guarded by smaller defenders, and his court docket imaginative and prescient is second to none.

A 3-point play by Dick 4 minutes into the third quarter drew the Raptors inside single digits.

He was the sport’s first participant to attain 20 factors.

At the very least Barnes drilled his first three-point shot of the younger season, however he was sloppy with the ball as was the Raptors, who’ve but to handle that obtrusive space.

Article content material

Article content material

One other optimistic for these wanting any indicators of positivity highlighted Toronto’s compete stage.

We apologize, however this video has did not load.

Play Video

The draw back is that the Raptors have been compelled to dig itself out of deficits.

Late within the fourth quarter, a 3 by Agbaji turned a double-digit drawback right into a manageable gap.

Stable defence led to a Barnes dunk, however then got here a nook three and a break-away basket by the house facet because the T’Wolves received their residence opener.

Dick netted a career-high 25 factors within the loss.

FIRST OFF

The excuse of enjoying the again finish of back-to-back video games and compelled to test late into their five-star lodge is the stuff of sheer nonsense.

What performed out within the first quarter amounted to an under-manned and talent-thin roster going up towards a T’Wolves workforce hoping to make that step from final season that noticed Minny advance to the Western Convention ultimate.

Article content material

Too many bounce pictures heaved, only a few makes, an incapacity to assault the paint and dangerous defence all led to the Raptors being down 32-18 after 12 minutes.

For some motive, Barnes thinks he’s a three-point shooter when everybody is aware of he’s not.

He confirmed moments final season when he may hit three-balls.

In Toronto’s first two video games, each at residence, Barnes went 0-for-2 in every sport.

He went 0-for-2 from past the arc within the opening quarter towards the T’Wolves.

Toronto would flip the ball over 5 occasions, whereas making six baskets.

A complete of eight three-point pictures have been tried, however solely two can be made.

Article content material

In equity, Toronto was rather more aggressive within the second quarter on the power of its defence.

RELIVING FUTILITY

The Raptors have been totally humiliated once they ventured into the Goal Heart for an April tip final season at a time when Toronto’s roster was decimated and so depleted it was compelled to begin veteran Garrett Temple.

The veteran’s professionalism and management won’t ever be questioned, however he’s not a starter, and when compelled into the beginning lineup it solely highlights roster depravity.

Minnesota would dismantle the Raptors to the tune of 133-85, essentially the most lopsided loss in membership historical past.

One other starter for the Raptors was Jalen McDaniels, an entire free-agent flop who was mercifully traded this low season.

Article content material

Quick ahead to Saturday night time’s assembly, the primary and solely time Toronto will go to the Twin Cities.

When it comes to rotational gamers being accessible, solely Dick stays from final yr’s debacle.

The second-year participant made his third straight at capturing guard with RJ Barrett (shoulder) unavailable.

Earlier within the day, the Raptors upgraded Barrett’s standing to questionable.

Barrett injured his shoulder to his non-shooting arm (proper) in Toronto’s pre-season opener.

The one blessing to Barrett’s setback includes Dick, who has been allowed to play prolonged minutes and put up pictures.

He scored Toronto’s first basket on a three-point make, one of many only a few pictures that dropped for the Raptors, who had a troublesome time attempting to take care of Rudy Gobert, the Stifle Tower.

Article content material

It was fairly clear from the bounce that the Raptors weren’t enjoying a roster-challenged workforce within the Philadelphia Sixers, Toronto’s opponent Friday night time.

Dimension was a problem within the Raptors’ 30-point embarrassment to Cleveland on opening night time and it resurfaced in Minneapolis.

When dealing with a workforce in Philly minus large man Joel Embiid, the Raptors flourished.

Within the T’Wolves, the Raptors have been capable of get their first take a look at Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, every acquired within the low season blockbuster commerce with New York that despatched Karl-Anthony Cities to the Knicks.

When matched up towards Jakob Poeltl on the perimeter, Randle simply took Poeltl off the dribble and acquired to the rim with impunity.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

Article content material