Defence, for a change, was not an issue as the Raptors began their New Year’s Eve tip in Boston looking more engaged and far less prone to getting blown off the court at TD Garden.
The reigning Celtics are so three-point happy that any time the ball enters the opponent’s side of half-court a heave is likely to be launched.
Boston missed its first seven shots from distance, would be held to 23 first-quarter points, the type of start to end a calendar year seldom seen by the Raptors.
Typical of the Raptors’ play and fate, they couldn’t buy a basket, missing all 12 of their three-point attempts in the game’s opening 12 minutes that would see the visitors turn the ball over four times.
Considering the Raptors entered the game having yielded an average of 143 points in their past three outings this was the embodiment of progress.
No RJ Barrett, no Gradey Dick, no Immanuel Quickley as the Raptors continued to field a roster minus its incumbent point guard, it was inevitable scoring would be a major source of concern.
The way Jakob Poeltl dominated the Celtics the last time Toronto ventured into the Garden made it clear that the Celtics would limit paint touches for the Raptors’ one and only legitimate big man.
Overall, the Raptors at least showed a competitive spirit, which is all one can ask knowing the roster limitations, knowing how poorly the team has played, and knowing the Celtics were bound to discover their shooting form.
A loss, though, is still a loss and the Raptors enter a new year with areas of deficiencies no one expects they’ll be able to properly address given the current composition of a roster that is inexperienced and short on depth.
The way they battled on the defensive end emerged as the biggest sign of encouragement.
Then again, there was no way the team could have defended as poorly as it has in yielding the most points in franchise history in Memphis followed by a 31-turnover night at home when the Hawks lit up the Raptors.
For some reason, Scottie Barnes continues to be fixated on heaving three-pointers than he does on applying pressure on defences by attacking the rim or establishing his mid-range game.
If ever a moment that summed up the Raptors’ woes arrived it occurred when rookie Ja’Kobe Walter, who made the start, missed an uncontested dunk attempt.
For the record, the Raptors enter New Year’s Day in throes of an 11-game losing streak, the longest futility streak in the NBA this season.
The team’s road loss in Boston was its 15th of the season against one win.
Overall, the Raptors sit at 7-26.
Only the pitiful New Orleans Pelicans have more losses.
In fact, the one road win produced by the Raptors this season came in the Big Easy.
In Boston, nothing came easy for the C’s, at least early before the deluge of three-pointers hit.
The game got out of hand in the third quarter when Boston made seven of its first nine three balls in manufacturing a 26-point lead.
Garbage time had officially arrived for the Raptors, who were hammered 125-71, the largest margin of defeat in club history as the team continues to redefine the term ugly.
At least veteran wing Bruce Brown was given minutes in his second game back from off-season knee surgery.
Brown can play, but his game is best suited on a contending team.
With the Raptors, his presence only denies the team’s young pieces playing time.
With the calendar flipping to 2025, the February trade deadline comes into view.
If a shooter can be acquired for Brown, the Raptors should pounce on it.
When three of a team’s best offensive players in Quickley, Barrett and Dick are unavailable, it appears Barnes takes it upon himself to be a primary scorer, which is a huge mistake.
His skill is seeing the floor and seeing plays before they play out.
The Raptors need to surround Barnes with shooters and not allow him to take shots, at least not the amount he heaves from distance because he’s not a good shooter.
That’s the predicament the Raptors find themselves as this rebuild gets uglier by the day.
Boston led 45-35 at halftime but then exploded for 45 points in the third quarter to take complete control.
Toronto managed 53 points through three quarters, including a season-low 12 points in the first period.
Those inclined to take solace from a passable defensive effort in the opening half should be applauded for their optimism.
The Raptors return home for a New Year’s Day evening tip versus the Brooklyn Nets.
The only time the Raptors have been favoured this season came at home against the Nets, who ended the night by winning the game, which was at least competitive.
Toronto has lost seven straight at home.
The Raptors return home with their collective tail between their legs.
What played out in the second half in Boston was appalling.
Granted, garbage time did arrive early, but it was no excuse for how defenceless the Raptors were and how so woefully inept they played on offence.
Again, if one cares to point to the team’s fight and defensive posture to begin the game, so be it.
To be blunt, this was the latest example of a team getting completely exposed and embarrassed.
Sure, the team was undermanned, but it has never been at full strength as the Raptors went with their 16th different starting lineup this season.
Maybe a new calendar year will usher in new things.
The 2024 calendar season will be remembered as an utter sham.
Bruno Fernando, it should be noted, played for the first time in forever.
It was that bad in Boston.
When the big team entered the game, the Raptors trailed by 44 points.
His days in Toronto appear numbered as the Jan. 7 deadline approaches, a date when the club must guarantee Fernando’s deal for the balance of the season or waive him.