Properly, right here we’re.
We needed to realize it was gonna come ultimately, didn’t we? The dropping that’s. I’m speaking concerning the L-O-S-I-N-G.
I used to be extraordinarily optimistic about this staff – nonetheless am, maybe, irrationally so. So, it’s arduous for me to course of this downturn, particularly when it seems like we’re so shut.
You take a look at our prime six and every appears to be reaching, or nearing, a subsequent degree, however then fail to maintain it or do it concurrently.
No matter that, we’re going NO WHERE with the junk defence and impotent defensive rebounding of late.
There’s excuses if you take care of that kind of factor. Accidents mounting. Fatigues at play (I talked concerning the too many minutes drawback yesterday as did Eric Koreen of The Athletic). Becoming Prince Pascal again into the schema isn’t simple. Being tiny exacerbates all of it.
However, what? Look across the league, Utah included, and few have their shit collectively. Memphis, Cleveland, Charlotte, New York, and Miami have all had the fates of regression curse them. Boston, Atlanta, and Milwaukee all look shaky – even Brooklyn, after getting shellacked by the Warriors’, look previous and shallow.
Loads of time for our boys to replenish and rejuvenate.
The Skinny
If the Raptors are a bath experiment then the Utah Jazz are a $25 bottle of pinot noir.
If we’re them:
Then the Jazz are them:
If we’re My Band.
Then they’re Large Band.
I may do that without end as a result of it’s hilarious to me.
You get the purpose, although, I assume. The Raptors are zany, positionless, distinctive, unsure. The Jazz are extreme, positional, precise, fixed.
When you couldn’t distinguish ahead from centre within the Raptors beginning lineup, the Jazz have a really distinct and conventional regiment: battle-hardened level guard, supernova taking pictures guard, sweet-stroking small ahead, mercenary energy ahead, and shot-gobbling centre.
Utah has been a top-tier NBA staff for some time now. Final yr, they completed 52-20, mulching the sphere. That was till they blew it towards a Kawhi-less Clippers within the Playoffs.
They’ve re-upped. Everybody’s again they usually’ve constructed a greater bench. Utah has ONE goal this yr and it has nothing to do with regular-season standings. Western Convention Finals or bust.
What’s scary, is that they’re not but enjoying at their full potential – I don’t suppose. As of Wednesday, they lead the league in offensive ranking – and are 2nd in web ranking – however have hit 3 much less 3s a sport, are twenty fifth in 3-point share, play a slower tempo, rating much less, and play worse defence than they did in 2020-21.
Utah’s free throw success retains them deadly. They take advantage of within the league and get to the road 4 extra occasions per sport than Toronto. They put all of it collectively and that WCF’s proper in goal.
Toronto’s defence has been whole crud. Of their final 5 video games (1-4), they’re final in defensive ranking and rebounding. Horrid. Abysmal. Inexcusable. Their offensive ranking, however, in that very same stretch: fifth. Welcome again, Pascal.
Utah’s unforgiving and a dominant defensive rebounding staff. Their troubles come when groups unfold them out and pull Rudy Gobert out of his lair. Tougher to do whenever you’re twenty fifth in 3-pointers made per sport. Regardless, if the Raptors scoop out one other bowl of crapola on D with none of that offensive rebounding salt and pepper, we’re in for an additional unappetizing midnight affair.
Additionally, eek, if we’re OG-less.
OG Anunoby banged his hip in follow at present and is questionable for tomorrow's sport in Utah. Treasured Achiuwa and Chris Boucher are additionally questionable, whereas Yuta Watanabe stays out.
— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) November 17, 2021
Sport Data
Tip-off: 9:00pm EDT | TV: SN1, SportsNet RM, Sportsnet | Radio: TSN 1050
Raptors Lineup
Yuta Watanabe (calf) is out. OG (hip), Treasured Achiuwa (shoulder), and Chris Boucher (again) are questionable.
PG: Fred VanVleet, Dalano Banton, Malachi Flynn
SG: Gary Trent Jr., Svi Mykhailiuk, [the Ghost of] Goran Dragić
SF: Svi Mykhailiuk
PF: Scottie Barnes, Chris Boucher
C: Pascal Siakam, Treasured Achiuwa
Jazz Lineup
PG: Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, Trent Forrest
SG: Donovan Mitchell, Joe Ingles, Miye Oni, Jared Butler
SF: Bojan Bogdanović, Rudy Homosexual, Elijah Hughes,
PF: Royce O’Neal, Eric Paschall, Malik Fitts
C: Steiffel Tower, Hassan Whiteside, Udoka Azubuike
The Line
Unfold: Toronto +9
Moneyline: Nothing accessible at time of writing.
Over/Below: 213
Adon’s Knowledge: I feel Utah wins. If OG performs, I’d tease this one up a bit to get Toronto at 12; if he’s out BAIL. I really feel a slog of a sport coming.
Conclusion: Toronto (with added factors)/Utah/Below
Gameday: Raptors @ Jazz, November 18 originated on Raptors Republic.
