It is an insult to mediocore teams to say that the Toronto Raptors have played mediocore basketball in these playoffs. They have looked lost on both ends of the court, and many issues that Masai Ujiri will need to address in the off-season have come to light.
No team has comeback from a 3-0 deficit, in a NBA playoff game series. The Raptors have an opportunity to make history. They need to win four straight games against a good, but beatable opponent. Most importantly they need to start showing up.
Despite it all, I still believe. If a confident level headed Raptors squad steps on the court tonight, they can win. The Washington Wizards are a good team, but they are not world-beaters. They have outclassed the Raptors only because the Raptors have let themselves be outclassed. The Raps need to show some pride, respect for themselves and get back to playing NBA basketball. If they do this they take one-step towards making history and being the first team to come back from a 3-0 deficit.
Cage’s Keys to the Game:
Ball movement
On Friday’s game there were few effective Raptor possessions. One in particular was picture perfect. The starting five set-up their play and moved the ball. They made smart decisions, and crisp passes which eventually resulted in a defensive breakdown and easy two points for JV under the basket. This possession was one the few examples where I saw the Raptors play NBA basketball. When a team plays basketball with effective ball movement, two things happen: First you increase the number of high percentage shots taken, second, you make the defense work for their stops.
Maturity
The Raptors get rattled easily. Each game in this series, the Raptors have started out strong however once they lose their lead, they lose their composure. The Raptors return to ‘hero-ball’ if the Wizards start to roll. The Raps try to make that highlight reel defensive play or that three-point bomb to swing the momentum back in their favour.
This mentality leads to wasted possessions and defensive breakdowns while letting the Wizards off the hook defensively. The Wizards are not forced to work when all they have to do is gather an uncontested rebound. The Raptors need to grow-up, buy-in to their system, and stick to it even when they are rattled. This system won a franchise record 49 games in the regular season. They can’t let the intensity of the playoffs make them abandon everything that has gotten them here. They need to mature and show the mental toughness that has been sorely lacking in this squad.
Casey
The fact that the Raptors so easily abandon their system is a reflection on Dwane Casey as a coach and a leader as much as it is on the team. The Raptors readiness to abandon what Casey has taught them quite frankly, shows a lack of respect for Casey. For someone to have 20seconds on the shot clock and still decide to throw up a deep three-pointer rather than run the offensive play called by their coach speaks volumes. It says in their minds they think their way is better. Casey has to regain his locker-room. The hallmark of a great coach is having the faith of his team, even if when the world is falling apart. Casey has to be that coach.
X-Factor: Dwane Casey
As mentioned earlier Casey needs to take the next steps as a coach. The Wizards have succesfully adapt to every adjustment Casey has made. He must to show the strate brilliance he demonstrated in Dallas. He has to get his team locked in from wire to wire or start planning for next season
