THE Raptors continue to sink a little further into mediocrity… After two honorable defeats against big names, the Nuggets and the Sixers, the club of Toronto did not in fact know how to seize a golden opportunity to relaunch itself against the modest Jazz12th in the Western Conference, and sadly lost at home (126-119).
Yet in control of the match for three quarters, to the point of leading by a maximum of 17 points during the third act, Darko Rajakovic's players subsequently completely sank, defensively in particular by conceding in the final quarter 41 points (61% on shots) Jazzmencarried by a duo Lauri Markkanen – Jordan Clarkson elusive (30 points each). While the offensive efficiency of the locals, as all too often, diminished dramatically (21 points on 36% shooting in the fourth quarter).
The Raptors suffered a third defeat in a row… and yet they are only at the beginning of their troubles. The end of the year and the start of the next one promise to be tough for the Canadian team, which is preparing, over the next three weeks, to face the Cavaliers, Kings, Warriors, Lakers, Clippers, Celtics and the Heat… The rest of the Raptors’ season, and undoubtedly by extension their future, will soon take shape.
To remember
– No Christmas magic in Toronto. After losing a 15-point lead the day before in Philadelphia, the Raptors once again collapsed by squandering a 17-point lead, albeit at a different time in the match. However, the problem remains the same: facing a big team or a weak team, the Toronto players cannot maintain a lead. The fault is an attack that is far too inconsistent, which collapses as soon as it is stopped. With just over a month to go before the trade deadline, the Raptors seem to be at an impasse.
– The return of Jordan Clarkson. After missing six games, Clarkson is back, and that changes a lot of things… He scores 30 points on 11 of 22 shots. Also returns Markkanen, absent against the Pistons. Like Clarkson, he plants 30 points.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
