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2017-2018 Toronto Raptors Thread: "O.G...Change Is In the Air!"

The Raptors won their fifth game in-a-row, 114-113 in OT against the Brooklyn Nets, but it came at a price:

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With Kyle Lowry out of thw lineup -- bruised tailbone & back spasms -- and Serge Ibaka (suspension) - - the Toronto Raptors wasted no time Thursday night at the ACC in demolishing King James and the Cleveland Cavs 133-99.

The Raptors bench unit, among the best in the league, took charge (as well as the attention off of the double-teamed DeRozan), plus a total team offensive (& defensive) contribution that propelled Toronto over the Cavaliers.

Fred VanVleet, who took Lowry's spot at point guard, had 22 points, a career high, including six out of eight three-pointers.  Jakob Poeltl & Valenciunas both had double-doubles.  C.J. Miles as well as Norm Powell saw plenty of court time in contributing all-round.

It's worth noting that this Raptors team has been off to their best start in franchise history.  The win over over the Cavs was the exclamation mark that encapsulates the new look Raptors & their success on the court. 

Way to go, Raptors! 

More:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/4-raptors-difference-makers-cavaliers/
 
The Raptors' DeMar DeRozan named as starter for the NBA All-Star Game, while teammate Kyle Lowry is named as a reserve (both players for the Eastern Conference team).

The 2018 NBA All-Star Game is scheduled for Sunday February 18th in L.A.


Source:  Global Sports
 
The Raptors are a "terrible" clutch team.  Clutch time is defined as in what ensues in the last five minutes of a game, or in overtime when a team is within a five-point scoring margin.

Well. our Toronto Raptors don't seem to make the grade.

Here's a chart showcasing such:

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Lowry 2-14 FG and 0-6 from the 3-point line last night. These are the types of lines that have killed them in the playoffs the last three years.  They can talk all they want about moving the ball more this season and how much they've changed but the bottom line is they won't go anywhere in the post season if Lowry takes over and keeps shooting with such reckless abandon.
 
Andy said:
Lowry 2-14 FG and 0-6 from the 3-point line last night. These are the types of lines that have killed them in the playoffs the last three years.  They can talk all they want about moving the ball more this season and how much they've changed but the bottom line is they won't go anywhere in the post season if Lowry takes over and keeps shooting with such reckless abandon.
Click to expand...

Pointing out one game where this happens ignores what has happened the rest of the season with this team.  It's kind of silly.
 
L K said:
Andy said:
Lowry 2-14 FG and 0-6 from the 3-point line last night. These are the types of lines that have killed them in the playoffs the last three years.  They can talk all they want about moving the ball more this season and how much they've changed but the bottom line is they won't go anywhere in the post season if Lowry takes over and keeps shooting with such reckless abandon.
Click to expand...

Pointing out one game where this happens ignores what has happened the rest of the season with this team.  It's kind of silly.
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Yea, I get that it sounds like I'm overreacting to one game; it's just been an overlying problem that I'm worried about, I don't really care that they lost a meaningless game to a bad Jazz team. Lowry is such a bad shooter in big games and has a tendency to take too many attempts; I'm just hopeful that he cuts that down in the playoffs.
 
The Raptors beat the Eastern Conference leading Boston Celtics Tuesday night at the ACC by a score of 111-91.

The Raptors bench unit, led by Siakam, Miles, Wright, and VanVleet, scored 59 points against Boston.

The Raptors are 1.0 GBL Celtics for first in the East.

Game recap:
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors-boston-celtics-recap-1.4523519
 
There is talk about Vince coming back. I will relate a story on why I went off the NBA to some degree after hearing it and then more evidence of why I continue to be off the game.
The only reason I believe the story is my brother saw it with his own eyes when he was a Marshall at the course.  During Carter's time with the Raptors he was asked as part of publicity to go to Devils Pulpit Golf course and glad hand people at an event.  Public relations so to speak.  Carter goes into a big pout when he finds he is not there to golf but to shake hands. During his hissy fit a 15 year kid goes over and asks for his autograph and Vince tells the kid to "F  Off".  Sorry but the people who pay for his castle in Orlando are paying customers that deserve his humble respect. 
So I started to sign off on NBA even though I still watched it.  To date I have not watched a Raptors game this year. 
What has really capped it for me is the amount of community work the PGA does. Players and the PGA donate millions and millions a year to needy charity's mostly affecting kids.  Look at he amount of community service the Leafs do for everyone and not just because Lou demands it.
The NBA I am sure does its part to some small degree, but really the money these guys make could make a huge difference to so many kids.  If anyone has any research to the contrary I am all ears....heck it may even make me watch the NBA again. 
Sorry but I have as much affection for Vince as a Lice
 
The Raptors defeated the Orlando Magic 117-104 Thursday night at the ACC.

Leading the way for Toronto was DeMar DeRozan with 21 points, followed by Kyle Lowry with 17 and a double-double.  But it was bench strength that really got the job done and enabled Toronto to come out with a win.  Jakob Poeltl and Pascal Siakam were instrumental in being troublesome for the opposition to handle.  Together, the two combined for 27 points, four blocks, steals, plus 14 rebounds.

The game featured the return of former Raptor Bismack Biyombo, now a member of the Magic.

In winning, the Raptors (43-17) maintained their lead atop the Eastern Conference, half a game up of second place Boston Celtics.

Story:
https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/takeaways-raptors-vs-magic-win-not-win/
 
Yo, Auston Matthews I'mma let you finish but DeMar DeRozan is the best athlete in the city right now.
 
Raptors beat the Rockets 108-105 ending the Rockets 17 game win streak.  48-17 record now.  What a team.
 
Nik the Trik said:
Yo, Auston Matthews I'mma let you finish but DeMar DeRozan is the best athlete in the city right now.
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Love this post.  Very clever.

That fade away jumper by DeRozan with the scored tied in the 4th the other night against Houston was beautiful.
 
Another win, this time relying heavily on the bench as no starter cracked 30 minutes, to go to 8 straight and 49-17. Three games up on Boston for the #1 seed.

Raps now have the best point differential in the entire league at +8.8.
 
Nik the Trik said:
Another win, this time relying heavily on the bench as no starter cracked 30 minutes, to go to 8 straight and 49-17. Three games up on Boston for the #1 seed.

Raps now have the best point differential in the entire league at +8.8.
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3rd/4th in the league in ORTg. 
3rd/4th in the league in DRTg.

The Raptors are the only team that is in the top 5 in both categories.  This isn't just a good team, it's a dominant team.  They still need to perform in the postseason but if they can match their regular season pace in the postseason they have a legitimate shot at getting to the Finals.
 
Congratulations DeMar DeRozan, on being chosen the Eastern Conference Player of the Week (March 5th to 11th)  -- for the fifth time this season -- and tied with the Western Conference Rockets' James Harden for that honour so far this year.

Way to go Raptors!


Source:  CP24 Sports
 
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22738462/zach-lowe-demar-derozan-kyle-lowry-toronto-raptors-nba
 
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