Moral victories will mean less and less as the season goes on … so it’s tough to sit here and say the Raptors “almost got one” against the Utah Jazz.
Toronto’s offence - for the 2ND (or 3RD?) time in the last week was dismal … shooting just 29.5% from the field in the first half … and only 38.5% for the game.
Andrea Bargnani had a terrible night - 1 for 11 from the floor and TJ Ford struggled as well … going 5 for 17 … finishing with 13 points and 8 assists. Ford - who has been the best Raptor in a Toronto uniform this year - seemingly bailed the Raptors out late in the game with a huge 3-ball … but moments later in this back-and-forth battle … with :17 seconds left in the game … and Toronto down by 3 points … Ford missed a game-tying 3-pointer, and the Jazz closed out the game with a 92-88 victory.
Toronto had a timeout on the board that they could have used - to draw up a play … and maybe a cleaner look at a 3 - but Sam Mitchell opted to play-on after the Jazz free-throws that put Utah up by 3 points. And on the ensuing play … Ford was forced into a tough, fade-away attempt that clanged out.
Toronto drops to 1 and 3 at home - losing this heartbreaker to the Jazz; a tough OT battle against the Celtics; and a game against the Magic in which Orlando used a late rally to pull away in the final few minutes. It’s only four games in at the ACC, but the Raps have got to turn it around soon … considering they were a dominant 30-11 in T.O last season.
They’ll get their chance to get back on track on Friday when they host the Indiana Pacers. Toronto will follow that up with a home game against Golden State on Sunday afternoon … before heading out for two tough games next week in Dallas and Memphis.
The Raps are now 4-4 this season.
E. Smith
ericsmithfan590@yahoo.com
