The Toronto Raptors fail to sweep their season series against the Atlanta Hawks, losing 95-87.
The Raptors did cut the lead to three points in the fourth quarter, but Atlanta was able to go on a 10-5 run in the final three minutes of the game.
Tonight’s loss does have a silver lining: DeMarre Carroll returned to action for the Raptors. In his 14 minutes on the floor, he scored five points, including one three-pointer. Carroll also led the team with four steals, giving all Raptors’ fans hope for his full return in the playoffs.
Muscle memory. #RTZ https://t.co/H5vD6HpRQs
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 8, 2016
The Hawks played physical on both ends of the floor and were able to get into an offensive rhythm early on- something they struggled to accomplish last game. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan each scored 16 points, but struggled immensely on offence. Lowry shot 6-15 from the field and DeRozan shot 7-24.
Post Game Report Card
Offence: C+
The Raptors struggled to get into an offensive flow early on, ending the first quarter with four turnovers. The rest of the game, Atlanta stifled Toronto’s offence by playing physical, and by clogging the lane. Paul Millsap was a big factor for the Hawks, picking up five blocks.
The only bright spot was that all of the Raptors starters scored in double figures. Norman Powell scored 10 points, proving once again that he is a reliable option on offence. Jonas Valanciunas scored 13 points, but Al Horford would not give him any breathing room in the post, limiting him to only six shots.
Defence: C
The Raptors struggled at this end the entire night. All of Atlanta’s starters also scored in double figures.
Jeff Teague led the team in scoring with 23 points along with five assists and one block. Millsap earned himself a double-double, with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Kyle Korver found his touch tonight by scoring 14 points, shooting 4-8 from beyond the arc (an improvement compared to his last game against Toronto).
The Raptors got lost on rotations and on the pick-and-roll, leaving open looks or straight-line drives.The Hawks were able to move the ball well and get their shooters open, like in this clip:
?#BudMovement pic.twitter.com/Tl1sI2TORL
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 8, 2016
Or the Raptors might have bitten on a pump fake:
Look at Musky! https://t.co/B1gMuH2xVv
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 8, 2016
Rebounding: B
Overall the Raptors protected the glass well, beating the Hawks 46-41 in rebounds. Valanciunas grabbed eight boards, while the rest of the starting lineup grabbed four rebounds each. Bismack Biyombo led the team in this category with nine boards.
The problem was that the Raptors could not convert off their missed shots. If the Raptors scored following a defensive stop, they could’ve left Atlanta with a win.
Game Ball: Jeff Teague
Teague came out to play tonight, leading the team with 23 points and going 2-3 from beyond the arc. The Raptors could simply not keep up with his quickness, with most of his points scored off drives to the basket. If they did block his path he would kick it out to an open shooter, finishing the game with five assists.
Teague’s crafty play-making and elusive quickness earns him tonight’s Game Ball.
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