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At a time when actual wins are scarce, winning the game within the game can provide some reason for optimism, the classic scenario of finding some solace in defeat.
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At the same time, there has never been any room in the standings for moral victories nor will an extra category ever be featured accompanying the won and lost totals.
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Down three starters but far from out Sunday night in Atlanta, it was Toronto’s second unit that played its hearts out, the primary reason why the visitors were able to hang around for as long as they did and even take the lead in the game’s final minute, eventually trying to hold onto a lead on the final possession. The end result was a 126-125 loss to the Hawks, who gave the game away following a turnover only to win the game following a second-chance opportunity.
Scottie Barnes wasn’t at his best on offence, but his overall game was quite good, especially when reading plays and finding teammates or simply attacking the basket. He did not attempt a single three-pointer. Barnes did not force his shot, either.
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In crunch time, he was the primary ball handler and facilitator. He missed his first go-ahead bucket when matched up against an Atlanta big in Clint Capella. Barnes then made amends when Toronto forced a turnover to take the lead with 7.4 seconds remaining.
When the Raptors failed to control a defensive rebound, the Hawks seized on the moment to escape with the win on a dunk with 1.1 seconds left. A desperate heave would not drop as the Raptors dropped to 16-30 on the season.
There’s absolutely no consolation in defeat, but some positive developments would play out: Head coach Darko Rajakovic may have discovered a bench. It is one night after all, but when winning becomes this elusive any silver lining must be embraced.
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IT’S A START
Not even the noted Nostradamus could have envisioned a Raptors starting group featuring Barnes, Dennis Schroder, Gary Trent Jr., Bruce Brown and Thad Young.
As the expression goes, one’s misfortune is an opportunity for another.
Bluntly stated, injuries are beginning to take a toll on the Raptors lineup and they were in full display as the team began its six-game trip knowing three starters in RJ Barrett (knee), Immanuel Quickley (thigh) and Jakob Poeltl (ankle) were unavailable.
Poeltl turned his ankle in San Francisco during the Raptors’ most recent six-game trip that began well, only to end on a three-game losing streak with the team returning home with a 2-4 record during the trip.
At some point during this current stretch, the team expects to have Poeltl back in the middle.
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In theory, Schroder fills the void at point guard left by Quickley, while Trent fills the hole on the perimeter Barrett occupied when he was acquired from the New York Knicks.
In basketball, you can’t teach size, an area the Raptors have sorely lacked in Poeltl’s absence. Without their one and only legitimate big, the Raptors have been hopeless when defending the rim.
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The Hawks didn’t waste much time in exposing the Raptors by scoring 12 of their first 14 points at the basket.
Toronto’s starting group did not look great on either side of the floor, leading to the Hawks building a 12-point advantage. Credit the bench for bringing a defensive edge and a physical presence, a five-player lineup featuring Schroder, Chris Boucher, Gradey Dick, Jontay Porter and Jordan Nwora, another group Nostradamus could not have foreseen.
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This unlikely group did help the Raptors take the lead early in the second quarter following a Nwora three-pointer.
The best part of Porter’s game is his ability to stretch the floor. Dick’s aggressiveness was encouraging. The Dick-Porter-Nwora trio accounted for 27 points at one point during the opening half, roughly one half of the team’s output.
At the break, the Raptors led 61-57 because their bench provided a much-needed lift following such a listless effort from the starters. The team’s four-player second unit accounted for 30 of Toronto’s points at intermission. In stunning contrast, Atlanta’s reserves produced six points.
Nwora had a rating of plus-20. His solid play would continue in the third quarter, emerging as Toronto’s best player.
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Heading into the fourth period, the hometown Hawks were leading 97-95 following a 40-point third quarter. Had it not been for Toronto’s bench brigade, the deficit would have been much greater given the huge disparity from the respective starting groups.
FOUR THE RECORD
If misery does indeed love company, then a Raptors-Hawks meeting represented the very definition of hoops heaven. Consider both teams entered their matchup having each lost four in a row.
The Hawks were coming off a setback Friday night when Mavs superstar Luka Doncic went off for 73 points, the most in club history, in a Dallas win to cap off an NBA week that saw some sublime feats of individual scoring.
Toronto entered the night having been blown out at home Friday night by the L.A. Clippers.
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All the mounting losses aside, the Raptors and Hawks did put on a highly competitive and at times very entertaining night of basketball at State Farm Arena.
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Back in mid-December, the Raptors played host to the Hawks in a mini two-game set over a stretch of three nights, the home side winning the first meeting 135-128, the visitors prevailing in the second 125-104.
Trae Young scored a combined 73 points, dished off a total of 28 assists and turned the ball over 13 times in the Hawks’ Toronto two-step. In the third meeting, Young was held to six first-half points and had as many turnovers (two) as made field goals in 19 minutes. But Young finished the night by scoring a game-high 30 points and recording a game-high 12 assists.
Although, his fifth turnover very late in the game almost cost Atlanta.
The teams will wrap up their four-game season series on Feb. 23, when the Raptors return to Dixie.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
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