Raptors Again Fail Miserably in Clutch, Season Ends in Orlando
The Raptors fell into the same trap as the other two games in Orlando, as they dug themselves into a deep hole, this time going down 10-2 only 2:43, as the Raptors started off the game shooting 1-for-5 from the field.
But after a Sam Mitchell timeout, the Raptors got their stuff back together, scoring on their next five possessions to go on a 12-4 run of their own to tie the game at 14 with 6:25 left in the first quarter. Two Jamario Moon three-pointers keyed the run, including one that tied the game.
The game would stay tight, with the Magic holding a slight lead, until Jose Calderon entered into the game with 2:47 left in the first quarter. Calderon would swing the momentum for Toronto, turning a slight deficit into a slight lead, as his two three-pointers would key a 8-2 Toronto run to end the quarter, giving them a 26-22 lead after the first quarter.
Calderon and the rest of the Raptors bench would carry the momentum in the second quarter, with Calderon leading an effective second unit that saw the Raptors build their lead up to 7 points twice, including with 7:11 left on a Carlos Delfino three-pointer that brought the score to 37-30 Toronto.
But then, 1:39 later, T.J. Ford would replace Calderon, and Toronto’s lead began to sink, but they held on for a slim 50-49 lead at the half, mostly thanks to Ford, who scored Toronto’s final 8 points over the final four minutes.
The game would remain close throughout the third quarter, with Orlando using a 8-0 run to pull ahead, gaining a 74-68 lead entering the final quarter. This Orlando lead, which got as high as 7 earlier in the quarter, was the largest by either team since Toronto held a 42-36 lead with 4:29 left in the second quarter.
Chris Bosh would help key a Raptors comeback midway through the third quarter, as he scored the final four points of a 6-0 that brought Toronto to within two points at 84-82 with 6:02 left in the fourth quarter.
But the Magic would answer, going on an 8-0 over the next 3:05, including two big three-pointers, first from Keith Bogans to start the run and then Jameer Nelson to end the run. This, combined with the fact that the Raptors inexplicably went away from Bosh inside, including after Dwight Howard picked up his fifth personal foul, helped Orlando to pull away.
The Magic would go on to mercifully end Toronto’s season, winning 102-92. Tonight was really the best defense played by either team in the series, as the Raptors held the Magic to 9-for-32 shooting from behind the arch. On the other side though, nobody could get anything going offensively for Toronto. Chris Bosh led the way with 16 points and 9 rebounds, but was ineffective for most of the night. T.J. Ford added 14 points, 5 assists and rebounds, while turning the ball over 4 times. Anthony Parker added 11 points, while the rest of the production would come off Toronto’s bench, it’s one strength in the series. Carlos Delfino added 14 points and 7 rebounds, while Jason Kapono scored 13 off the bench. Calderon would add 12 points and only 4 assists off the bench, only scoring 2 points in the second half.
This game pretty much played out like Game 4 in Toronto, a close game throughout with the Magic pulling away in the final minutes. The Raptors need to make some big changes in the off-season because this was a team that had high expectations entering this season and they severey underachieved. This is basically a jumpshooting team behind Chris Bosh, and no offense to Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker, but they need that athletic swingman to play the 2/3 position that can penetrate to the basket and score.
Sure they got a bad match-up with the Magic, as Toronto couldn’t match their three, athletic big men, but Jameer Nelson pretty much outplayed the vaunted Raptors PG duo of Ford and Calderon. Also, Bosh was overall a disappointment throughout the series, not taking that next step in carrying his team like Dwight Howard did with his 20-20 performances. Sadly, the strongest thing for Toronto this series was the bench, as it appears that Jason Kapono is only earns his money in the playoffs, while Delfino and Calderon at least added a little consistent scoring off the bench, something Toronto couldn’t count on all season. Also, has anyone seen Andrea Bargnani, because he was MIA pretty much this whole series.
Overall, this was just a merciful ending to a disappointing series and I’ll break down some of the changes I think the Raptors need to make to contend next year.
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7 Responses to “Raptors Again Fail Miserably in Clutch, Season Ends in Orlando”
April 29th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
[…] - MVN […]
April 29th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I officially want to jump on the fire Sam Mitchell bandwagon (if there’s any room left). The rotation is far too big. He tries to juggle minutes in a rotation that includes about 5 small forwards. Bargnani and Moon are role players at best, they do not deserve crunch time minutes on a playoff team.
There is nothing that Bargnani does well other than hoist up illadvised shots…and the fact that they occasionally go in does not mean he is having a good game.
It amazes me that Mitchell won coach of the year last year and is still considered a pretty good coach despite the fact that he hasn’t called an effective play in the final seconds of any game or half. Game 2 in the series is a perfect example of that…”uh…get it to bosh” must have been the only thing he said in the huddle.
The Raptors are very close to having NOTHING to show for their draft of three years ago when they had two picks in the top 14-Graham clearly contributes nothing, and Charlie V was traded for TJ Ford who brings nothing to the table that Jose Calderon does not, and takes off more than his fair share. He doesn’t know how to handle a fast break like Calderon, is a streaky shooter at best and quite frankly does not have a place on this team. It was up to Mitchell to figure this stuff out a long time ago instead of just hoping things went well, because they didn’t. No player has a defined role on the team (mitchell’s fault) and that is how you get things plays like Delfino jacking up a 3 instead of finding Bosh to go after Howard who has 5 fouls. unbelievable.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
I don’t blame Mitchell for the rotation, there’s not much beyond Bosh and the PG combo, and he’s just trying to find the right fit.
I completely agree about Ford though, I honestly think Calderon is better, but I don’t know if they could get equal value for him because I think the rest of the league’s figured out he’s over-rated as well. That’s not even to mention his potential injury problem.
I don’t necessarily know if Mitchell needs to be fired, I think changes should be made. I’d like to see what Mitchell could do with an upgraded roster, but he’d have to be on a short leash. I think if BC thinks this team is fine or can’t get any more help then Mitchell could be gone to go after a coach he wants, especially if D’Antoni is fired from the Suns(unlikely, but still).
April 29th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Well, my problem with Mitchell just trying things out with the rotation is that we’re almost 90 games into the year with these guys. He needs to be able to understand every player’s skill set by about game 20…he shouldn’t be bouncing around players in the first round, hoping something sticks…thats how you get an inconsistent team, and the Raps are nothing if not inconsistent.
May 1st, 2008 at 12:53 am
I agree that he should have defined the players roles by now. But one other thing to consider is the fact that during the regular season you’re playing different teams all the time, but in the playoffs you’re playing the same team every time. In the sense of a playoff series it’s really a different season of its’ own because of this and you have to find out what works against that specific team and the Magic are a very unique team in the fact that their three best players are all 6′9 or bigger. That created big match-up problems for Mitchell and the Raptors, causing him to constantly adjust to try and find something that worked.
I think it’ll be very interesting to see if Mitchell has a job after all these coaching changes, especially if BC’s boy in Phoenix is let go. It will also be very interesting to see where Avery Johnson lands as well and if BC is willing to dump Mitchell and go after him.
May 4th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Nice analysis. Bang on.
I’m just waiting for the offseason to begin so I can see what BC does.
As for the TJ vs. Calderon debate, I’m thinking why not consider doing a sing-and-trade with Calderon. Don’t get me wrong, I love Calderon, and I do think he’s the better PG, but his value is much higher than that of Ford’s, meaning we can get a much better deal. Maybe with TJ having his own starting position he might find out he has nothing to prove anymore and actually play better? It’s a gamble though, and I would haaate losing Calderon
May 6th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
[…] Raptors Den: "Sure they got a bad match-up with the Magic, as Toronto couldn’t match their three, athletic big men, but Jameer Nelson pretty much outplayed the vaunted Raptors PG duo of Ford and Calderon. Also, Bosh was overall a disappointment throughout the series, not taking that next step in carrying his team like Dwight Howard did with his 20-20 performances. Sadly, the strongest thing for Toronto this series was the bench, as it appears that Jason Kapono is only earns his money in the playoffs, while Delfino and Calderon at least added a little consistent scoring off the bench, something Toronto couldn’t count on all season." […]
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