Game Recap: Raptors 102, Pacers 98
Have you ever went into a nice restaurant, expecting a nice meal, only to have some of the food and it tastes like someone took a pickax to it? You still got full, which was the most important thing, but you know it was pretty darn ugly.
The Raptors entered Conseco Fieldhouse with many advantages. With their team fairly well rested thanks to last night’s rout of the Knicks, an Indiana team with their share of injury problems, and a fairly Toronto healthy lineup, the Raptors would have little to no excuse for losing this game. However, a game full of sloppiness and overactive referees with their blown calls left a bad taste for everyone involved. But, a win is a win, and an ugly win some nights is better than a beautiful loss at the end of the season.
Carlos Delfino and Jason Kapono in particular provided much needed sparks for the game. In what can be categorized as mildly surprising, Kapono managed to play fairly tight defense against shooters while attempting to slash and get some rebounds. In fact, it was his play that allowed the Raptors to crawl back in the second quarter to take the lead. Delfino, on the other hand, managed to be the one hot hand that the Raptors could feed the entire night. As a result of his play, the Raptors managed to shoot close to 48% for the night. Without Delfino’s contribution, the Raptors would have scored a horrible 44% with 17 turnovers, which would have been enough for the Pacers to bury the Raptors. Anthony Parker, in addition to Chris Bosh, helped the Raptors on the glass with 21 rebounds between them, and made up for some of the mistakes as far as shot selection was concerned.
However, the Pacers refused to go quietly for most of the night. Danny Granger showed why he is a bright spot on a team searching for a future. Marquis Daniels, on the other hand, carved up the Raptors with strength and athleticism that often troubles the Raptors’ two and three positions. By driving the ball hard into the gut of the Raptors’ defense, Daniels kept the Raptors honest as others on the Pacers kept hoisting up threes. It’s here where Sam Mitchell let down his team. Deciding to go small for most of the second half, the Raptors lacked an interior defender such as Rasho or even Brezec to try and alter the shots of Daniels. Jeff Foster, as well, became a handful for a lot of the Raptors as four of his seven rebounds were on the offensive side of things.
However, the most ugly part of the game was the refereeing that occurred. Blown calls, ticky tack fouls and a choppy flow saw the game erode into an almost unwatchable affair. The consistency of referees in the NBA is pretty good for most games, but in others the refs will fail to call charges like the two that Mike Dunleavy took towards the end of the game, and the over-the-back fouls such as the one Foster did on Jose Calderon and Carlos Delfino. In the end, I guess you could say they were equal opportunity horrible calls, but it’s just no excuse as neither team could figure out what was a foul and what wasn’t.
With two more games against sub .500 teams this week, the Raptors have some chance to build a lead on those behind them, and gain on those in front. At this point, ugly wins are the bare minimum for this squad as it tries to establish at least one month of dominance before the playoffs begin. With a Western Conference swing, the Raptors need to create a buffer before going out to fight some of the tougher teams in the league in March. It’s going to be a tough road ahead, so now is the time to build up speed.
Next Game: Minnesota @ Toronto
Comments
By Anthony RapFan on February 26th, 2008 at 1:38 am
KY,
Can only watch this game on Yahoo Sports Ticker, MIDTERM time!!~
Well we got a win, that’s about it. Darn this was not the Ugliest win, but close to the Louis Williams 4-point play scare in PHI. True that Mitchell REALLY Gambled the small ball, but Troy Murphy was in a sort of groove so he had to risk it. The only thing that upset me was that with 1:00 left and up 7, we could of blown it. Still dunno how long till we can get a wing stopper for this team.
By Tfan on February 26th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Terrible game to watch. The Raptors again played down to the level of their opponent (depleted roster and all) and was lucky to eke out a win. I thouight Bargnani, despite his lack of offence, was decent in both rebounds and defence.
Looking ahead, I sure hope the Raptors can bring their A game against the Timberwolves tomorrow.
By Johnn19 on February 26th, 2008 at 11:51 am
It’s becoming more obvious each game that BC’s second priority after signing Calderon is to lock up Delfino next. His game is becoming a feature of the 2nd unit in scoring, rebounding and playmaking. He could next year be that missing link that gets to the basket, draws FT’s and defends. He is shooting 47% from 3 for Jan/Feb, 23 gms.
His numbers for the last 10 games 25mins,4.9rbs,2.5ast,12.4ppg.
Remembering this is his first time with an important role in the NBA,and consistent minutes, I see the possibility of a ‘Manu’ type impact on the Rap’s in
the coming years.
By Kinnon Yee on February 26th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Anthony - Good luck sir. You didn’t miss much.
Tfan - I thought so too. I just wish he would show a little more patience and control going to the rim. If he did, he’d draw more fouls and get to the line more, and also get more confidence.
Johnn19 - I’m still not sold on Delfino, and it largely has to do with his horrible free throw shooting and tendency to have “blank” games.
By Connor on February 26th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Not sold on Moon. Not sold on Delfino. Who are you sold on? Kapono?
By Kinnon Yee on February 26th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Moreso than the other two. A hard worker who can shoot. I’m demanding championship calibre from a team whose endgame is to be champions. Are Moon and Delfino people that play major minutes on a champion team? Not likely.
By Anthony RapFan on February 27th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Moon and Delfino are all role and position players. Moon will convince us all until he can consistently want to dunk over ppl and get hit, but now he is not doing so. Remember also.. Delfino can go HOT HOT HOT HOT, then COOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLDD, so I’m not sold on a Delfino extension at this time. Notice our team is now a Euro-Sancturary for abused and neglected Euro players?
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