Post Game Report Card: Raptors fail to clinch against the Pistons

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Fact #1: This game didn’t boil down to one play.

Fact #2: The loss can’t be entirely blamed on Lou Williams.

Fact #3: It’s all Dwane Casey’s fault!

No, I’m just kidding about the last one. But the Toronto Raptors’ 108-104 loss against the Detroit Pistons is a very tough one to take. The way they played in the first half, having to host the Chicago Bulls tomorrow night, not being able to clinch a playoff spot, that shot; it was just a huge let down in the Motor City.

Offence: B

DeMar DeRozan played a hell of a game down the stretch. His ability to get to the rim and the tremendous amount of hustle he showed more than made up for 5/17 shooting night. His 12 free throws were also huge. That raises a big question: Why didn’t DeRozan touch the ball once on that final possession? The Raptors had one time out left, but Raptors writer Doug Smith makes a good point in defence of Casey. It was a truly baffling decision by Williams, especially with his team only down by two. However, Williams did have 19 points on 6/11 shooting. The team shot 47% from the field, and attempted 29 free throws, missing only two of them. This game wasn’t lost in on this end of the floor, or during that final possession.

Defence: D-

That was just gross. The Pistons racked up 37 points in the first quarter, had 60 at the half, and at one point led by 18 during the second half. They made 12 of their 29 threes, a lot of which were uncontested. If you shouldn’t blame Casey for that last play, you can certainly blame him for playing either Greivis Vasquez or Williams over Terrence Ross down the stretch. For the first time in recent memory, Ross played exceptionally good defence against the oppositions best perimeter player. In this case, he was able to repeatedly cut-off Reggie Jackson from the paint, helping the Raptors claw back in this one. When Jackson had Vasquez on him, he exploited him for profit. Jackson had nine of his 28 points in that final quarter. The only reason this isn’t an F is because of the Raptors effort in that final quarter. However, it came way too late.

Rebounding: D

Andre Drummond got the better of the Raptors front court this time out. He had 18 of the Pistons 42 rebounds. The Raptors were out-rebounded 20-12 on the offensive glass. The Pistons were able to capitalize on these opportunities and put up extra points on the board.

Player of the game: Reggie Jackson

Granted, Kyle Lowry had to leave the game due to a re-aggravated back injury. But give Jackson his dues: He shot 10/18, had nine assists, and was a huge spark for the Pistons.