Well, this one started OK. No first quarter slumber, pretty good defence on the Clippers not named Blake Griffin … but that Griffin guy is an all-star starter for a reason (and it’s not just because he’s popular owing to his dunks). Griffin has taken his game to a new level, even without Chris Paul and now gets the LeBron treatment from referees. Not only is he much better than he used to be and amongst the most polished scorers in the NBA, if you breathe on Griffin, you’re in danger of being whistled for a foul. That’s a tough combination to deter. Fouls were the only thing that slowed down the former No. 1 overall pick on Friday night.
- Since Chris Paul – merely the NBA’s top point guard – got hurt, Griffin has averaged 26.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists on 53.9% shooting and 71.9% success from the line (this is a guy who used to shoot 55% from the stripe).
- Everything was OK through the first quarter-and-a-half, but then the Clippers started running and the Raptors had no answers for one of the league’s most athletic squads. Quickly, L.A. was up 18 and then as much as 22. It’s been a troubling trend for a while now. These Raptors fall behind by 15-20 points far too often. It seems like it happens to them more than other teams, but I don’t have the exact numbers on that.
- Part of the problem once again? Second effort, or a lack thereof. The Raptors were outworked outside and for loose balls for much of the contest. Part of that could be fatigue, but it was a factor in the outcome.
- DeMar DeRozan put on a show at home, dropping 36 points – the most he’s scored in L.A. The eight assists and zero turnovers were just as impressive, along with 19 trips to the line. Too often, DeRozan and Kyle Lowry are the only Raptors who attack the rim relentlessly. The team could really use another attacker. That’s the fifth time this season DeRozan’s notched at least three assists without a turnover. In February, he has 28 assists and just six turnovers.
- Hack-a-Jordan wasn’t a very popular strategy for Dwane Casey – ESPN’s J.A. Adande railed against the practice, but I don’t have a problem with it. Sure, it lowers the entertainment factor, but if a player is a bad as Jordan (and others like Dwight Howard have been) at the line and you are in serious trouble, why not try it? Put the onus on the opposing coach not to play the terrible free throw shooter or, imagine this, force the guy making millions of dollars to spend enough time working on his shot that he doesn’t shoot 35-55% anymore. With all the help and practice time available to them, there is no excuse for any NBA player to shoot less than 55% from the line.
- At least this time the Raptors were fouling on purpose. The referees in Sacramento merely assumed they were fouling on purpose.
- Speaking of free throws, have to think the long trip had something to do with Jonas Valanciunas – usually a guaranteed 70% or better – going just 3-for-9. These guys need a break. They get one Saturday, but will be back at practice Sunday. It probably will be a short one. That said, his teammates only missed three – combined.
- The good news is the Raptors return from the jaunt still tied for third in the East (though Atlanta has two games in hand and could pull ahead with a win Saturday night). Now, the hard parts of the schedule have been taken care of and the final three months of the season will be much less of a grind. Casey will play this down surely, that’s his job, but there’s no question life just got a lot easier for the Raptors. Eight of the next 10 will be at home, with the all-star break providing a needed rest (Amir Johnson said after the game he’s hurt and playing through it but it’s definitely impacting his game). There will still be some back-to-backs, but all trips are now two games or less from here on out.