"Despite getting off to a hot start, the Raptors' offense wasn't generating as good looks in the second quarter. Perhaps, human nature crept in facing a 5-14 team as the Raptors got too comfortable with a 13-point lead at halftime. Dick missed open 3s, going 1-4 from downtown, but the team continues to believe in him and that's all that matters at this point."
"The Raptors had been 7-2 in clutch time, but their overreliance on BI became glaringly obvious. But it's also important to not inflate the meaning of losses during the long course of a season. When the Raptors lost to the Sixers in their first November game, Poeltl's absence was glaring - and this hasn't changed even though the winning record has alleviated some initial worries."
The Hornets never led in regulation yet the Raptors failed to properly close the game in BI3's home state. The Raptors started hot but produced fewer quality shots in the second quarter and became comfortable with a 13-point halftime lead. Dick missed open 3s (1-4) while the team maintained confidence in him. Defensively, Toronto struggled to contain Miles Bridges, allowing a 10-0 run to cut the lead during clutch time. LaMelo Ball was ineffective. Late-game decisions left Kon Knueppel wide open, exposing overreliance on BI. Absences of Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett remain significant concerns.
Read at Raptors Republic
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