How many ways can you say ‘disaster’?
One would be hard-pressed to imagine a worse start for the Toronto Raptors. In Game One of their quarter-final series against the Philadelphia 76ers, everything that could go wrong (no matter how unlikely) did. The score of 131-111 is flattering only because our team managed to lose the game’s second half by just two points. I suppose if you’re looking for a sunbeam amid the gloom, there it is.
Both Fred VanVleet and Chris Boucher fouled out. How many times did those two get the enforced boot in the regular season, you might ask? A combined total of zero. Fred’s first foul occurred after 8 seconds, his next one less than 3 minutes later. He was playing with one hand tied behind his back, metaphorically speaking, yet that one hand still managed to commit four more fouls. Several of them even actually happened, unlike most of Boucher’s.
The two statistical categories in which the Raptors had bigger numbers was personal fouls committed, and turnovers. However, those are golf-like stats; the lower, the better. Oddly Toronto’s turnover count of eight was fine, yet somehow the normally ball-hawkish Raptors could only force three 76ers turnovers, one of them in garbage time. As a consequence, Toronto needed to depend on its modest half-court offense, with predictable results.
I mentioned in my preview post that the Raptors would be in big trouble if Gary Trent went into another shooting slump. Sometimes I hate being right. Trent had a miserable night…let’s leave it at that.
You haven’t heard the worst
Finally, the bitter cherry on the crummy sundae: the Raptors suffered two injuries to critical rotation players. Super-rookie Scottie Barnes had his ankle stepped on by Joel Embiid – accidentally, I’m (almost) sure. We won’t know the seriousness of the sprain until at least Monday, but I’d be most surprised if he dressed for Game 2. Glue-guy veteran Thaddeus Young suffered a sprained thumb while tussling on the floor for a loose ball. Thaddeus can probably play the next game, but a recurrence will be a serious problem. He’ll certainly need a support for his hand.
Credit is due the 76ers. They played an almost perfect game, and were full value for the win. They possess more offensive weapons than the Raptors, who can win only by forcing turnovers and scoring in transition. Tyrese Maxey already looks like a load; he scored from everywhere (5 for 8 from deep – the young fellow is scary), almost at will, ending with 38 points on 21 shots. He, Embiid, James Harden, and Tobias Harris, combined for an absurd 105 points. Their best players were their best players. As always, the 76ers got the benefit of the whistle, despite Embiid, whose elbows should be registered as dangerous weapons. They took 34 free throws, to the Raptors’ 23.
Let it go – there’s no do-over
It’s high time to be philosophical about this loss. First off, losing Game 1 is a Raptors tradition I’d happily see in the trash container. Our guys are usually able to bounce back. Whether you get hammered, like in this sad affair, or lose on a buzzer-beater, it’s only one game. Shake it off, hope our injured men can return quickly, and hold your head up.
