Small ball stymied the Raptors the last time these two teams faced off against each other. The Pacers were able to rally from a 23 point deficit using the approach and the Raptors ran out of time to make adjustments.
Things were different this time around. The Toronto Raptors were prepared and even though the Pacers made a late push, at no point in the game did it feel like they were in control. The Raptors closed the game on a 20-5 run to seal their 5th win in a row.
It may not have been pretty as neither team played a lick of defense for the 1st half. There were mismatches all over the floor and the Raptors exploited them by moving the ball. Danny Granger started at the PF spot and he had his work cut out for him. Bosh being the Vet he is, went at him and that resulted in some early foul trouble. Jim O’Brien had to have considered that scenario but his counter-punch was to put Dahntay Jones on Bosh. Instead of forcing shots, CB changed it up. He drew the 2nd defender and kept making the right pass. At the end of the night he had 7 of the Raptors 32 assists and the team shot a season high 60% from the field.
Bosh has been playing out of his mind all season and it almost feels like the fans here take him for granted. When he drops 44 its almost like it was expected. Last night, he had a solid game but the contributions from his teammates became the story.
With Hedo out of the game early due to injury (update below), Antoine Wright played close to 36 minutes. 36 very productive minutes too as he racked up 15 points and showed more of that perimeter defense he was known for when the Raptors acquired him this past off-season. Earlier in the season, this guy was lodged so deep in coach’s dog house I never thought he would see light of day. Makes me happy to see him finally back up all the talking he did when the team was struggling.
Aside from Bosh and Wright, getting efficient contributions from the likes of Weems and Johnson is a major plus. On nights like yesterday, where defense was no where to be found for 24 minutes, they helped keep the team afloat. The 2nd unit is clicking and the team is running on all cylinders. The upcoming stretch of games will give them a chance to make a major push in the Eastern Conference but they key will be — focus. Tomorrow the Raptors head on the road to play the same Pacer team who will undoubtedly make adjustments and it is up to the players to react accordingly.
Don’t look now but 4th spot is not out of reach…
Hedo Turkoglu: Injury Update
Just minutes into the first quarter, Hedo ran face first into Mike Dunleavy Jr’s Elbow. The call on the floor was an offensive foul but that wasn’t what hurt. X-Rays revealed that Hedo has a small, non-displaced fracture of orbital bone under his right eye. He will be re-evaluated tomorrow and the team will explore options for protective face gear. I’m thinking the one picturesdto the left would work quite well. All the man needs is #BALL
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