"Tonight are the first games of the NBA Cup Knockout games, where one loss can throw you out of the tournament. Toronto has not played in many high stakes games in recent years, so this will be a necessary experience for the entire roster and coaching staff. Although things have not gone Toronto's way over their last several games, they still have a chance to right the ship and advance in the NBA Cup tournament."
"It's no mystery that Toronto's offense has been on a downslide over their last 8 games, with them posting the worst offensive rating in the league during that span. This stretch has made some things painfully obvious. For starters, although Brandon Ingram is a wonderful and creative scorer, he is not a high-level playmaker, and his decision making can hinder Toronto on some possessions, especially when teams send help toward him. With RJ Barrett's absence, Toronto is getting less looks at the rim as well."
The Toronto Raptors meet the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup Knockout, a single-elimination format where one loss ends tournament hopes. Toronto enters 15-10 with a 115.3 offensive rating, 112.8 defensive rating, and +2.6 net rating, but the offense has declined over the last eight games, posting the league's worst offensive rating in that span. Brandon Ingram remains a strong scorer but struggles as a primary playmaker when opponents send help, and RJ Barrett's absence reduces rim attempts. OG Anunoby returns for New York, increasing defensive resistance. Toronto also needs more consistent bench contributions to win.
Read at Raptors Republic
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