USA Today via Reuters
Dec 29, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) controls the ball against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 29, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) controls the ball against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Raptors were NBA Champions two seasons ago. After losing Kawhi Leonard last season, the Raptors surpassed expectations as a top-two seed in the Eastern Conference. However, they fell to the Boston Celtics in the playoffs and are still showing signs of their struggle.
The Raptors became weaker this off-season after Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol both left the team to join the two LA-based franchises. While the Raps brought in Aron Baynes and re-signed Fred VanVleet, the results on the court are yet to appear. The Raptors just lost their third consecutive game of the season to the Philadelphia 76ers, giving them a 0-3 record to start.
This record is punctuated by the fact that the Raptors had double-digit leads in every game, yet choked them away. They are the first team in the last 20 seasons to do this to open their campaign.
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The Raptors are the only team in the last 20 seasons to start 0-3, blowing a double-digit lead in all 3 games.
h/t @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/7TB88P9JQj
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 30, 2020
The Raptors are looking very wooden in the opening games of their 2021 campaign. The team’s system is looking lackluster as stars like Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam aren’t providing enough to lead the team to victories. Especially Siakam, who scored 20 points on 34.8% shooting in the loss to Philly.
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Toronto Raptors: Is the window of success over?
The Raptors might just have one title to their name, but they have been one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference for a long time now. They were unfortunate to have their peak as a team while LeBron James was single-handedly taking the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals at Toronto’s expense.
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 29, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks to pass as he grabs a loose ball against Toronto Raptors center Aron Baynes (46) and guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Second-half offense is the issue for Toronto, as they’re struggling to get the points after the half-time whistle. Even against Philly, they were able to put up just 34 points in the second half. For comparison, Conference rivals Milwaukee Bucks put up 46 in the first quarter of their game against Miami.
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A 0-3 start will be hard to overcome, but this Raptors team is as mentally tough as they come. Hopefully, Nick Nurse gets his players rolling again.
