Morning Coffee - Mar. 5, 2025
Tanking but winning anyways | Darko trusts his kids | Walter shines in the clutch
Quick Reaction: Raptors 114, Magic 113 - Raptors Republic
J. Walter - A-
28 MIN, 17 PTS, 3 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 4-10 FG, 2-4 3FG, 7-8 FT, 1 BLK, 4 TO, 4 +/-
Walter started in the place of an injured Gradey Dick. Heavily involved in the first quarter with some mixed results. There were two passes that went through his hands that would’ve led to an open three and an open shot at the rim. He was aggressive all game long though as he won a good amount of trips to the line. There were more negatives than positives from Walter’s performance tonight, I’d say, but he made the game winner on a crazy shot so that’s what matters the most.
Raptors close with kids and secure dramatic win - Sportsnet
When Barrett was subbed out with 97 seconds left, the Raptors' closing line-up was as follows:
Walter, a rookie taken 19th overall last June; Shead, a rookie taken 45th overall in the same draft; Orlando Robinson, a journeyman centre the Raptors first signed on a 10-day contract and converted to a standard NBA deal earlier in the day; Jared Rhoden, who was just recently signed to a two-way deal, was playing in his 37th career game and had played one minute for the Raptors this season; and A.J. Lawson, the Brampton, Ont., forward, and another two-way signee who had played 17 minutes for the Raptors before he played 40 in these two games against the Magic.
That group was matching up with a Magic lineup that represented nearly $400 million in future salary obligations, and likely about $250 million more, if you factor in the maximum contract extension that Banchero will likely sign this summer.
It didn't matter. Initially — before Barrett was subbed out — he helped drive the makeshift Raptors lineup, punching the paint repeatedly, getting fouled, and doing the best he could to keep the Raptors — who were leading by 11 with 8:07 to play — afloat.
Never more than when he blocked Wagner at one end — Barrett and the Magic star were going at each other’s throats all night, including one exchange where Wagner picked up a flagrant foul for clobbering Barrett on the head on one drive — and pitched the ball ahead to Walter for a fast-break dunk.
Barrett’s goal when playing with the young group?
“Just keep a level head, instill confidence in them,” he said. “Talk to the guys, because we knew we could do it, as long as we guard, we have a chance.”
And then after doing everything he could to help keep the Raptors' chances alive, Barrett’s night was done too as the Raptors opted for a rotation that would have been expected in a garbage time of a 30-point game, not in the final minutes of a one possession game on the road.
It wasn’t exactly waving the white towel, it was more the Raptors throwing fate to the wind.
Barrett had plenty of company on the bench. Already there was Scottie Barnes, the Raptors' franchise player, who was neither hurt nor in foul trouble, but who spent the last 7:49 of the game on the bench after putting up 17 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, dishing five assists and making three steals in 29 minutes. Also not seeing the floor down the stretch was starting point guard Immanuel Quickley, who sat for the final 9:43 of the fourth, and finished with 15 points and four assists in 26 minutes.
Starting centre Jakob Poeltl? He sat for the final eight minutes and seven seconds, and while he’s on a minutes restriction, his 24 minutes were two minutes fewer than he played in the win over Orlando on Sunday night. Poeltl still managed 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals and was a game-high plus-14.
Moving over and making room for them on the Raptors bench was Chris Boucher, the eight-year veteran who has been Toronto’s best reserve all season but hasn’t even seen the floor for three straight games now.
In fairness, Rajakovic had telegraphed his intentions before the game when he was asked about how he was going to distribute his minutes between his veterans and the development pieces on his roster.
“It gives us an opportunity to take a look at different guys, different lineups giving more opportunities for players who aren’t usually getting as many minutes," the coach said. "That’s a true investment in the development of these guys."
The Raptors’ kids pull one out with Ja’Kobe Walter’s last-second three-pointer - Toronto Star
The Raptors head coach pulled all his veterans off the floor in a tight game with the Orlando Magic and gave his young players a chance to shine when it mattered the most. And while Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, with a game-high 41 points, threatened to take the game away, Raptors rookie Ja’Kobe Walter hit a three-pointer with a half-second left to give Toronto a 114-113 win.
“The last play … Coach drew it up for me,” a confident Walter told TSN after the buzzer.
A game that was close early got chirpy midway through the third quarter, with players getting in each other’s faces and a technical foul being issued. The skirmish ignited a spark in the Raptors, who outscored the Magic 31-19 in that quarter and built a 12-point lead in the fourth, only to squander it late.
Rajakovic opted to sit his regulars while the result was hanging in air, playing Walter, A.J. Lawson, Jamal Shead, Orlando Robinson and Jared Rhoden. Lawson had eight of his 13 points in the final quarter, hitting two key three-pointers. And, with the Raptors down two, Walter hit the winner and finished with 17 points.
“Lately teams have been coming back on us, so we just had to stay together late,” Walter said, pointing to some timely stops on defence. “It just shows that we’re some dogs. We all work just as much as everybody else, if not more. We all believe in each other and everybody believes in us.”
Toronto won the season series against the Magic 3-1. RJ Barrett had 21 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, and Scottie Barnes added 17 points and 13 rebounds.
There’s still much to be cleaned up, though. The Raptors committed 10 turnovers in the first quarter and 20 overall.
NBA Power Rankings: Everybody but the Thunder and Cavs is jockeying for position - The Athletic
Last week: 25
This week: 25
In the last week: L vs. BOS, L at IND, L at CHI, W at ORL
Offensive rating: 109.6 (26th)
Defensive rating: 115.4 (24th)
Biggest games left: March 12 vs. PHI, March 26 at BKN, March 28 vs. CHA, March 30 at PHI, April 9 at CHA
The Raptors started the season 8-31. They then won eight of 10 games. But they’re now back down to losing nine of 12. Most notably, the Raptors are 0-3 against the Bulls this season, which should go a long way in ensuring that the Raptors will load up the tank shortly.
1 Word to Describe Every NBA Team Right Now - Bleacher Report
Toronto Raptors: Short-term
The Raptors are worse this season than the franchise ever expected. Injuries to Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley derailed the season early. While the play-in tournament is within range, Toronto should take advantage of its misfortune with the best lottery position it can manage.
Armed with a top draft pick in June plus a healthy Brandon Ingram, acquired at the trade deadline but currently sidelined with an ankle injury, the Raptors expect this year's disaster to be a short-term circumstance.
Raptors convert Orlando Robinson to standard NBA deal - Raptors Republic
The Toronto Raptors have locked down their backup centre for the remainder of the season.
Orlando Robinson’s two-way deal has been converted to a standard NBA contract, the team announced on Tuesday. This came in wake of reports that Raptors agreed to a two-way deal with G Leaguer Jared Rhoden, which has now also been made official by the team.
Robinson, 24, is averaging 5.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists over 17 games played with the Raptors this season. He has recently seen an increase in minutes as Jakob Poeltl was out with a hip-pointer injury, and has been on a minutes restriction since returning. During this stretch Robinson’s minutes have jumped from 7.8 to 18.9 per game and his stat line is up to 6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. He also started two games in Poeltl’s absence and has closed the last few after the Austrian big hit his minutes limit.
The Fresno State product had a particularly nice first quarter against the Boston Celtics last week on Feb. 25. Robinson made nice feed to Ochai Agbaji on a basket cut, sunk a smooth jump hook, and ran out for a transition dunk, all while playing solid defence.
The 6-foot 10 big man started the season splitting time between the Sacramento Kings and their G League affiliate in Stockton, but missed the entire pre-season and the start of the regular season with an MCL sprain. Robinson played for the Miami Heat for his first two NBA seasons and averaged 3.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 10.9 minutes over 67 games including 8 starts.
Robinson first received back-to-back 10-day contracts with the Raptors. He was eventually signed to a two-way after the team liked his defensive acumen and the way his ability to facilitate fit their offensive system (among other traits).