Morning Coffee - Jan. 16, 2024
Fuck Boston | Back-to-back (solid) wins | Assessing the Raptors at halfway mark
Gradey Dick lifts his head out of the mud against the Boston Celtics - Raptors Republic
Perhaps part of the change has been a shift in the team around Dick. He was at his best as the offensive focal point, with so many injuries decimating the team’s hierarchy around him. And as Scottie Barnes, and Immanuel Quickley, and others have returned to the floor, Dick has seen fewer touches. It’s been harder for him to find ways to insert himself. There have been intermittent games with seven points, eight points, three points scored. Stinkers with 3-of-12 shooting from the floor. The pace of his cuts has lessened to 80 percent of what it was to start the year. His screens have created less contact.
Dick’s defence, too, has suffered. He was never a defensive savant. But especially early in the season he tried hard and was in the right place, even if physical limitations meant players could sometimes play through his body. But as the season has aged, Dick’s good-process defence has vanished. His closeouts have become less and less meaningful. His fight on the glass theoretical. His digs and stunts conceptual.
Dick has been playing fewer minutes, as a result. He hasn’t cracked 30 since Jan. 1. He didn’t close in Toronto’s clutch win over the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 13.
It’s hard to overcome the sophomore slump. At some point, you either have to climb the wall, go around it, or just run the fuck through it. Dick is still figuring out his pathway.
“He just needs to go through this to learn what it takes to prepare for the game… We’re trying to figure it out together with him,” says Rajakovic. “If you have any ideas, off camera, share with me as well, I’m willing to listen.”
It’s not that Dick is playing badly. It might be worth mentioning, at this point, that Dick has the second-best on/offs on the entire damn Raptors so far in the season, with the Raptors better on both ends with him on the court versus the bench. He has moments of poor play, sure. (Who doesn’t?) But it’s that his stretches of good play are getting briefer. The best players can string together months of correct choices. Great ones play full games at a time without glaring mistakes. Dick right now isn’t getting through entire shifts on the court without lapses.
Quick Reaction: Celtics 97, Raptors 110 - Raptors Republic
R. Barrett - A+
36 MIN 22 PTS 10 REB 8 AST 1 STL 10-18 FG 1-5 3FG 1-4 FT 1 BLK 2 TO 8 +/-
Barrett made a pinpoint bounce-pass to Agbaji streaking to the hoop in transition. He did a great job getting to the middle and pinging passes around in the half court as well. Barrett made a well-timed baseline back-cut that he finished with a reverse lay after a nice feed from Dick. Barrett grabbed a steal off Jaylen Brown directly after and returned the favour, finding Dick on the break for a layup. Later Barrett came off a screen and found Agbaji for an open corner 3. As the game progressed Barrett was frequently able to bully his way to rim and finished more often than not.
Raptors finally string wins together after knocking off defending champs - Sportsnet
They did it for the second time in a row, for the first time in six weeks on Wednesday night. After a promising victory over the Golden State Warriors on Monday, the Raptors responded with another impressive win — 110-97 — over the visiting Boston Celtics.
When you have won only 10 games through the first 41 of the season, the bar for ‘signature victory’ is pretty low, but for a Raptors team that had lost 16 of 17 before this week began, knocking off the defending NBA champions will qualify.
The win came to thanks to one of the best defensive efforts of the season. They held the Celtics, who arrived with the NBA’s third-rated offence, to under 100 points for just the third time this season Boston shot 39.5 per cent, just the third they Celtics have been held under 40 per cent on the year.
And as they did against the Warriors on Monday, the Raptors were especially good in the fourth quarter, as they limited Boston to 15 points on 30-per-cent shooting.
“We’re covering for each other, even if we get beat,” said Davion Mitchell, who set the standard defensively starting in place of Immanuel Quickley (hip) for the second straight game and contributed 10 points, five assists and two steals in 26 minutes in addition to his trademark on-ball aggression. “We were more physical. I’m glad I got those two early in the beginning because it kind of set the tone, like, we’re going to be physical throughout the game … like they can’t call every foul. We’re going to be physical and we’re going to be a more hard-to-play team.”
It helps too that the Raptors are nearly at full health — Quickley was the only regular on the injury report — while they’ve been hosting some teams that are stumbling. The injury-riddled Warriors have been in a free fall since starting the season 12-3, and while Boston was healthy, the Celtics are 7-7 in their past 14 games (though still second in the East at 28-12) and give every appearance of a championship team that has lost interest in the regular season, which is unfortunate because three months remain.
“We’re going through some (expletive),” said Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who had just 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Other than Kristaps Porzingis, who had 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, the Celtics' other four starters shot 32 per cent from the floor. Their best player was backup point guard Payton Pritchard, who added to his case for the Sixth Man of the Year award with 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting off the bench.
In contrast, the Raptors' starters (minus Quickley) were superb.
Kristaps Porzingis makes concerning admission after ugly Raptors loss - Masslive
After the loss, the Celtics are now 2-3 in their last five games with three double-digit losses in that stretch. Yet, Kristaps Porzingis had harsh words describing his team’s effort after falling to a 10-31 Raptors squad.
“I think we played with no spirit, with no personality,” Porzingis told reporters in Toronto. “It’s just a weak performance honestly, We just play with no personality right now.”
Porzingis was one of the few offensive bright spots in the loss for Boston, scoring 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Boston shot just 39.6 percent as a team though with All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combining for 26 points on 32 percent shooting.
Porzingis struggled to pinpoint the cause of the team’s recent decline (7-7 in last 14 games) but put it on the players to solve the consistency issue.
“I don’t know, honestly,” Porzingis said. “I think we just individually have to look at ourselves like where we can improve, what we need to do better, are we fit? Are we this? Are we feeling good? Are we locked in mentally and then try to fix some of the stuff that we have going on, but it’s not the end of the world like every team has ups and downs. Just that it feels like s*** right now and we played some bad basketball.”
Boston offense absent against Toronto Raptors, Celtics lose 110-97 - Celtics Blog
The Celtics found themselves on their heels in the early minutes of tonight’s game. Toronto rattled off a quick 15-5 run to open play, prompting Joe Mazzulla to take an early timeout less than four minutes into the game. Seven of nine Raptors to take the court in the first quarter recorded at least one basket, and the Celtics found themselves lagging behind from deep in the early going. They were able to rebound, though, led by a quick eight points from Porzingis. Boston closed out the first quarter on a 7-0, and entered the second with a 29-25 lead.
Toronto broke a four-minute scoreless streak early in the second quarter on a jumper from Chris Boucher. After a couple of Celtics baskets, the Raptors launched into a 12-0 run of their own to surge back into command of the proceedings. Behind another strong performance from Barrett (12 first half points), Toronto had the Celtics reeling again. They racked up fast break points and shot efficiently inside the arc, and after Payton Pritchard hit a three before the buzzer, the Celtics entered the halftime break trailing by two, 55-53.
Boston would have been in a substantially worse position at the break without the efforts of Porzingis in the first half. He counterbalanced a poor-shooting offense — Tatum and Brown combined to shoot 4-of-17 from the field — by shooting 5-of-6 from the field, including 3-of-4 from deep. The Unicorn compiled 13 points and stuffed the stat sheet with four rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocked shots, and helped keep the Celtics competitive in an otherwise uneven half.
Porzingis opened the scoring for Boston in the second half by connecting on his fourth triple of the night. Some early life offensively gave way to another Toronto surge, however, as the Raptors embarked on another run — 12-3 this time — to maintain their grip on the lead. The Celtics kept Toronto from running away with the game, but at the same time, they seemed incapable of pulling closer than a two- or three-score deficit. A late quarter sequence in which Boston grabbed three offensive rebounds but failed to generate any points felt emblematic of how the game had gone to that point. The Celtics lost ground in the quarter, trailing by six entering the final 12 minutes of regulation, 88-82.
After allowing the Raptors to shoot a blistering 77% from the field in the third quarter, the Celtics opened the fourth on a similarly sour note. Toronto expanded the lead in the opening minutes with yet another run, outscoring the Celtics 9-2 in the first four minutes of the quarter to establish a game-high 13-point lead. The clock melted away rapidly, and with half the quarter in the books, the Celtics had just four points to show for themselves.
Toronto Raptors make it two in a row with a statement win against the Celtics 110-97 - Raptors HQ
For their third matchup of the season, the Toronto Raptors finally got home court advantage against the Boston Celtics. After a narrow loss in overtime to start their season series, followed by a franchise-record deficit in their second game, tonight’s show of force has finally returned some balance as the Raps prevailed 110-97. It’s no surprise either, with their win against the Warriors a couple of days ago, Toronto came into this matchup with confidence, effort, and even a bit of flair.
RJ Barrett was a force, narrowly missing the cutoff for a triple double. Finishing with 22-10-8, he consistently found ways to score around the basket and help the team defensively. Scottie came up big as well, with 18-3-9 and a pair of blocks. Another double-double from Jakob and 32 bench points rounded off the group effort that carried Toronto to victory.
Boston struggled all night, shooting only 34.8% from distance and less than 40% from the floor. Tatum had 16-10-7 and Porzingis had 18-8-3, but the usual help from Derrick White and Jaylen Brown was nowhere to be seen. The Celtics have been struggling lately, and the Raptors certainly took advantage.
Raptors hit mid-season with a building-block win over the mighty Celtics - Toronto Star
Anchored by the defensive efforts of Davion Mitchell (starting for injured Immanuel Quickley) and Jamal Shead on Boston’s stars, the Raptors earned their 10th win of the season, 110-97 over the Celtics.
Toronto committed just 10 turnovers and shared the ball on offence, finishing with 35 assists.
“Everything we do here is about winning,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “We want to win championships, we want to be competitive every single game. You need to develop that character. I think how you compete night in and night out, that builds a culture, and it’s building a culture this season that’s going to trickle down in the future when we’re ready to compete for championships.”
RJ Barrett led the way for the Raptors with 22 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Scottie Barnes had 18 points and nine assists, while Jakob Poeltl chipped in a double-double: 16 points, 11 rebounds.
“Everybody who touched the floor, they really contributed tonight and everybody had the energy,” Rajakovic said. “I thought we did a good job on the defensive end making their shots heavy and contested shots ... (and) when you have Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett with 17 assists, this sets the tone for everybody else.”
Boston’s Jaylen Brown was held to 10 points on 4-for-16 shooting.
The Raptors led 55-53 at the half and, backed by the chants of a hopeful crowd, stretched that lead to eight points midway through the third quarter. Three consecutive buckets to start the fourth made it 94-84 Toronto, forcing Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla to call a quick timeout. The Raptors held the Celtics to 15 points in the final quarter to seal the victory.
In the teams’ first meeting in November, the Raptors pushed the Celtics to overtime. It took a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Jayson Tatum to put Toronto away in that one. Tatum finished with a quiet 16 points on Wednesday.
“We’re going through some s—t right now,” Tatum told reporters in the locker room following the loss, their 12th of the season after 40 games. “It’s tough, but we said after the game that we’ve got to go through it together, as best as we can stick together, (keep) trusting one another like we always have and just show your true character.”
Takeaways as Raptors Shock Celtics in Most Impressive Showing of the Season - Sports Illustrated
This is what the Raptors have been building toward.
For the past two years, the Raptors have been emphasizing ball movement and playing in rhythm. It’s a style that initially led to plenty of turnovers this season as the team worked through growing pains and built chemistry.
On Wednesday, though, something seemed to click. The ball zipped around, players moved fluidly into open spaces, and good looks came naturally. It wasn’t just one player too. Everyone shared the workload, playmaking, and creating for others in a way Toronto just hasn’t seen this season.
Scottie Barnes was again brilliant with 18 points and nine assists. RJ Barrett showed off his improved playmaking skills with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, including the game-clinching layup to put the Raptors up 14 with less than three minutes to go.
"The guys are starting to get a little bit more time with the same group of guys on the court," Raptors coach Darko Rajaković said of the offensive improvement. "There is a little bit more continuity. There is more familiarity with each other when teammates are going to be on the court. What are we doing? How do we need to execute? It comes down also to the willingness of our team."
The Raptors finished the night with 35 assists on 44 made field goals while limiting their turnovers to just 10. It was the most complete, impressive two-way performance from Toronto all season.
Raptors avenge embarrassment in Boston by stepping up to knock off Celtics - Toronto Sun
On most nights this season, when a knock-out blow was required the Raptors were ill-equipped or ill-prepared to pounce on an opponent.
While the Celtics, at least for now, are nowhere near heavyweight calibre, they are no punching bag.
The way they played at Scotiabank Arena, they are champions in name only.
Still, one can’t dismiss how well the Raptors played, how well they moved the ball, how well they defended and how deserving they were of their 110-97 win, the team’s second in a row, both at home.
The Golden State Warriors are not the same team, and left Toronto on Monday night with a loss.
The Celtics aren’t the same, either, but one suspects the champs will regain their form.
Physical and forceful, the Raptors arguably may have played their finest game of the season.
From the jump to the final buzzer, the Raptors were the superior team. RJ Barrett led the way with 22 points, one of five Raptors to score in double figures.
Boston entered the night having won 10 in a row against the Raptors.
When the teams met on New Year’s Eve in Beantown, the Raptors were embarrassed, 125-71, the largest losing deficit in franchise history.
Wednesday, the Raptors took an 88-82 lead into the fourth quarter after leading 55-53 at intermission.
Boston has not played well since its beatdown of the Raptors, who bounced back the following night by beating the visiting Brooklyn Nets.
Engaged on both ends of the floor, energetic and efficient, the Raptors led by double digits in the fourth quarter.
Boston’s body language was bad as was its overall game.
Grading every Toronto Raptors player at midseason: How do you rank the unrankable? - The Athletic
Scottie Barnes — B-
28 games, 20.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.5 steals per game
Orbital bone and ankle injuries have disrupted Barnes’ season. He has had some impactful games, and others where he struggles. His defence has been the biggest positive, with his one-on-one ability on bigger wings unmatched on this team. His midrange shooting has come along, too. Asked to be the primary creator when Quickley was out, Barnes’ turnovers soared. The Raptors are not close to having enough spacing around Barnes to optimize him.
RJ Barrett — B
33 games, 22.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.9 APG, 54.5 TS%
Barrett has hit his roughest patch of the season lately, with his efficiency and playmaking dropping. However, he carried the Raptors as a creator when Barnes and Quickley were out, and his scoring efficiency jumped once Barnes returned. Unfortunately, none of that changes the two central questions about his game: 1) Can he effectively scale down as an offensive option? 2) Can he get to average, or beyond, as a wing defender?
Jakob Poeltl — B-
36 games, 14.9 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 1.2 blocks per game, 61.3 FG%
Earlier, Poeltl might have received the highest grade on the team. His pick-and-roll pairing with Barrett looked unstoppable in November, leading to some of the best scoring nights of his career. He is still invaluable to the Raptors being competitive, but his lack of shooting has been more of a problem since Barnes returned from his injuries. His rim protection has been fine but nothing more.
Darko Rajaković, head coach — C
10-31, 110.0 offensive rating (23rd in NBA), 117.2 defensive rating (26th), minus-7.1 net rating (27th)
It’s tough to give the coach a grade given the Raptors’ injuries. If not for the mid-season swoon in terms of energy — Rajaković and his players said it was evident — he would have a better mark. The season is too long for any team to deliver 82 performances full of spirit, but the drop-off, especially considering the start to the year, has been disappointing. Rajaković is giving his young players room to grow while providing enough playing time for the veterans. This team was not going to be good even before the injuries. Putting the Raptors’ record on the coach is silly. However, if the Raptors remain healthy, Rajaković should be able to get them to be competitive most nights. The next month should be a good insight into him.
Raptors takeaways as the club reaches halfway point of its season - Toronto Sun
Immanuel Quickley hits the half-way point injured.
Sadly, injuries are not new for the player the Raptors believed and continue to believe will be the answer at point guard.
Three injuries does not bode well.
In the very small sample size playing along the team’s anointed core, Quickley has looked to score more often than he has looked to serve as a facilitator.
When he returned from an extended elbow injury, Quickley played the ultimate game at the point in helping Toronto end its 11-game losing streak against Brooklyn on New Year’s Day. He had 15 assists and only one turnover.
He has yet to reach that elite level, even though it’s impossible to duplicate such a masterpiece.
He does have to be better.
When Quickley is setting up his teammates, players such as Gradey Dick are able to spot up and heave shots.
The way RJ Barrett cuts to the basket, Quickley is very proficient when getting out in transition and finding players such as Barrett.
Quickley has shown an ability to drain three-pointers, but he has settled.
In Detroit on Saturday, when the Raptors wrapped up an 0-3 road trip, Quickley was not efficient.
On Wednesday, the Raptors started Davion Mitchell at point guard for the second game in a row. Coming off the bench was Jamal Shead, and there were times where Scottie Barnes was asked to orchestrate the offence.
Mitchell and Shead aren’t as good as Quickley, offensively that is, but each is more of a traditional floor general in that both look to pass first before looking to shoot the ball.
Say what you want about Quickley, but he’s not a good defender.
Mitchell and Shead have become more inclined to attempt three-pointers when open looks are presented.
Mitchell had a nice overall game in helping lead the Raptors to their win, netting 10 points, dishing off five assists and recording five rebounds.
What should the Raptors do with peak Chris Boucher? The answer is right there - Toronto Star
The first? Boucher still has the odd wart on his game, despite the last 10 days. He tends to foul a lot and let his mind wander defensively now and then, and neither rebounding nor physicality is his strength. When the lapses come, they are dealt with by diminished time in the rotation.
The second? He just turned 32, will be a free agent in the summer and who knows where he fits in the big picture in Toronto.
But here’s a novel thought:
In the search for a backup big man who has proven capable and professional enough to handle extended periods of inactivity, why not let his contract expire and try to find a financial meeting point in summer negotiations?
It’s not as if flush teams around the league are going to throw buckets of dollars his way, so maybe there’s a way to keep him here. No asset obtained at the deadline — you’re looking at probably a second-round draft pick — is going to help any more than Boucher would. And given the number of second-round draft whiffs, maybe a mid-30s veteran who’s never really been injured and plays whatever role you want might be an asset.
But whatever happens — not only in the next few games but over the next few weeks — Boucher will not be nonplussed. He’ll play with energy and whenever he’s asked, just like he always does.
“I think it started my first year when I came here. I had three, four minutes of garbage time (in games), I was always trying to shoot a three and get some things going,” Boucher said after Monday’s 104-101 victory. “And I always kept that through my whole career. Just kind of (thinking) like: OK, it might be two minutes, three minutes, just make a big impact.
“I think now with the work that I’ve put in and all that, it’s a little easier. But I was doing it a long time ago ... all energy. And I think that I’m still (doing) that, but making better decisions, too.”
