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Issues usually are not going nicely in Raptor-land. The crew has misplaced 11-of-15, together with two straight and 8-of-9. The place to begin guard and centre are harm, the backup large man has and eye harm and some gamers are questioning in the event that they’ll be taking part in elsewhere come the NBA’s Feb. 8 commerce deadline. And now they hit the highway for six straight following the 127-107 loss to Kawhi Leonard and pals. Right here’s the report card:
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BRUCE BROWN B+
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Brown continues to boost his commerce worth, though groups already know what they’re going to get with him. By no means flashy, however normally efficient, Brown does many issues nicely. He confirmed that throughout sport at varied instances towards powerful competitors.
DENNIS SCHRODER B+
Schroder was the one Raptor to register a constructive within the plus-minus division. He’s quietly carried out nearly the whole lot the membership has requested of him this season. Since changing into the sixth man Schroder has thrived and been fairly efficient. He hasn’t had sufficient assist and appears a bit wasted on this rebuilding crew when he might help a contender, however his veteran knowledge and effectiveness additionally makes him precious as a Raptor.
THAD YOUNG B
Talking of vets, Younger had a second straight 12 and 6 sport and likewise added 4 assists. He didn’t miss a shot and at instances it felt like a flip again the clock night time with Younger going at it towards fellow long-time large man Mason Plumlee. Plumlee lit him up a bit although, which lowered Younger’s grade. He’s nonetheless a helpful participant, even with so a few years within the league now. It’s potential somebody will come calling for him on the commerce deadline.
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RJ BARRETT C+
Barrett’s free throw taking pictures is changing into a problem once more. He’s lacking far too many, and he’d be the primary to say as a lot. He’s solely hit 57% of his makes an attempt over the past seven video games. Toronto missed 13-of-22 as a crew, taking pictures simply 59%, only a few days after going a stunning 22-for-23 towards Memphis. Barrett struggled to hit photographs persistently from the sector as nicely and had three turnovers. There have been positives too, however this was a barely under common night time for him.
GRADEY DICK C+
Dick confirmed some flashes. He isn’t afraid to step in entrance of a shifting freight practice, as he tried towards Russell Westbrook and once more at one other level. He tried it towards monstrous Joel Embiid this season too. Dick mentioned he’s simply attempting to assist the crew any manner potential and that’s a fantastic angle. He had 4 rebounds, a steal and a few assists in 21 minutes, once more getting an opportunity to play in crucial components of a sport. His exterior shot didn’t fall, however this was one other step in the suitable course for Dick.
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SCOTTIE BARNES C
Barnes was hounded at instances by Kawhi and began the sport simply 4-for-12 from the sector. As soon as Leonard put his ft up for the fourth quarter Barnes went off, ending 5-for-6 for 12 factors within the quarter, however this wasn’t his strongest outing by any stretch. A constructive was solely committing one turnover, after a run of far too many. The all-star break ought to do Barnes lots of good. However first the Raptors have to get by this highway journey.
GARY TRENT JR. C
One other fairly “meh” sport from Trent. Not good, not unhealthy, someplace in between. When Trent was surrounded by extra expertise he appeared fairly good over his time as a Raptor. On this watered down crew (particularly with Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl out) he simply hasn’t appeared efficient in any respect. There’s an opportunity the Raptors received’t even have the ability to swing a deal for him on the commerce deadline. Norman Powell was on the town to remind that the commerce was a very unhealthy one for the Raptors, though it appeared like a win or a minimum of an excellent swap the primary 1.5 years or so post-trade. Powell’s boosted his worth since then and Trent’s has sunk like a stone.
INC: VARIOUS
THREE STARS
1 James Harden
2 Kawhi Leonard
3 Bruce Brown
HM: Paul George, Thad Younger, Russell Westbrook, Norman Powell
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