2022 Toronto Raptors Thread

[Senator Clay Davis]

Overly simplistic take, but just hit more open shots tonight would be a big benefit. Yes Philly has clearly been better so far, but the Raps have created enough decent looks to have another 15+ points in each game, they just aren't hitting them. I will reiterate though that the Raps got zero help in the scheduling department, they will be done three games before the Bucks and Bulls are even done two. But a win tonight and the extra day for Saturday and who knows? If nothing else I'd like to at least put Philly under a bit of pressure, it's been a pressure free series for them so far.

[Trojan97]

Can't imagine he plays tonight. Would expect to see him game 4 if anything but would be a huge emotional boost if he can somehow dress tonight.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1516783418939518978

https://twitter.com/user/status/1516794322716434437

[octothorp]

I'm an optimist and still think they can win the next two. Senator is right that shot-making alone would make a huge difference. I think they can also do a much better job hunting matchups on offense... with two undersized guys in the starting lineup in Maxey and Harden, there's no reason those guys shouldn't be attacked every time down the court, especially since you'd ideally like to make those guys work hard on defense so they don't have as much on offense.

Defensively, I'm not sure what you change up. Maybe a little less double-teaming on Harden as well.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by octothorp

I'm an optimist and still think they can win the next two. Senator is right that shot-making alone would make a huge difference. I think they can also do a much better job hunting matchups on offense... with two undersized guys in the starting lineup in Maxey and Harden, there's no reason those guys shouldn't be attacked every time down the court, especially since you'd ideally like to make those guys work hard on defense so they don't have as much on offense.

Defensively, I'm not sure what you change up. Maybe a little less double-teaming on those two as well.

Things I'd try:

- Don't bother doubling Harden, Precious did a great job handling him off the dribble in that last regular regular season game and Harden is doing a good job finding the open man so far in the series. Switch that up.

- Smother Maxey (as much as you can). Make him be more of a playmaker and find the open man under duress which isn't a strength of his. If he finds the open man, so be it. Hard fouls if he gets to the rim.

- Make Embiid work. He's had far too many stretches in-game where he's just floating around passively resting for multiple possessions at a time getting rest while staying on the floor. The foul storyline is clearly in his head to some degree if he's talking to Nurse about it in-game and going to the press about it. A couple early fouls against him will have the crowd hot and could disrupt him. Defensively, get in his face, if the refs are determined to call ticky-tack calls on him for a third consecutive game to prove a point, so be it. Not going to comeback from 0-2 down playing him passively. Get your money's worth on the defensive end against him tho when you do foul him.

[bluejays]

^ this whole thing completely. The Raps are coming across weak. Gotta hard foul and play some guys tighter. Certainly guys being out is hurting them but some of it with their existing guys just hasn’t worked. Anunoby has been silent. Once a good defender now is nowhere to be found. Fred has been quiet too. They have to take the charges better and give the hard fouls to make the other team think twice. Once that’s accomplished a lot will fall into place but fundamentally they have to change a lot. Even as a fan I don’t see their confidence moving much. It’s up to coaching to change this stuff up.

[Samonadreau]

Home crowd will be the difference tonight. get this one and theyre right back in it.

Maybe get some fair(ish) reffing at home too.

[The Big Chill]

Hopefully Trent is closer to healthy. He is a big part of this defence too and he’s been a pylon so far.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I'm assuming that Nurse continuing to put Trent out there with a cloud of disease around him is some new and revolutionary strategy he has devised to use a defender as a sort of biological weapon to try to infect the other team's star players. Just a visionary coach.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Hope the home crowd gives the boys a much needed boost. This is the first playoff game in Toronto since the 2019 finals

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

They're playing quite well to start but the shots just aren't falling.

[The Big Chill]

Much better so far.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Yeah, finally got a couple of those wide open 3s to fall and also drew a couple of fouls. They pretty much have to hit those open looks when they're available, especially in transition.

[The Big Chill]

Lots more energy in that quarter. It really helps that the refs allowed some physical play.

[mile]

Playoff OG!

[mile]

Good stuff from Achiuwa and Flynn

[The Big Chill]

It’s amazing how refs always buy Embiid’s dives.

[Ducay]

Is this game even on TV? Legit dont see it on any of my SN or TSN channels...

[bluejays]

Raps playing well while Philly isn't quite there today. That flagrant on Fred was awful. I'm starting to really dislike that baby Embiid.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Is this game even on TV? Legit dont see it on any of my SN or TSN channels...

Sportsnet. Just use Sportsnet NOW online.

[bluejays]

And I guess the Raps get a favour as Danny Green gets a technical on a foul he did nothing to deserve. NBA reffing is wack.