"Toronto wasn't perfect. For long stretches, it wasn't even good. But it never let go of the rope, and it always found answers when the Heat asked questions. For the last weeks without Barrett, too often those two qualities have been absent. Too often the team has quit a game after facing adversity. Too often the bench hasn't risen to the occasion, or starters haven't found their way into it after starting slow. None of that was the case here."
"Rest did Toronto well. Now for Darko Rajakovic and his squad, it's time for the Raptors to prove that this level of consistency can maintain, even if the team isn't able to access its top-end speed without Barrett. Fortunately, he will be back soon. For the first time in weeks, the Raptors finally see some light at the end of the tunnel."
"A word of optimism? I've covered the Pacers the last two seasons. I was there for the Finals. That Pacers team turned their season around with the practices they got to have during the time off they had after getting ousted in the NBA Cup. That's not to say the Raptors are a sleeping dragon Finals team, just that if there are *changes that could work* we'll likely see them implemented after this stretch, and once the team is back healthy."
Toronto experienced inconsistency but displayed resilience and collective effort in the win over the Heat. The team answered challenges through sustained defense, bench contributions, and shooters overcoming early misses. Recent weeks without Barrett saw the Raptors too often quit after adversity and rely insufficiently on bench support. Rest provided recovery and an opportunity to implement changes. Darko Rajakovic will test consistency without top-end speed until Barrett returns. Practices and adjustments during the break offer a chance for beneficial changes. The team shows renewed optimism and a clearer path to sustained competitiveness once health returns.
Read at Raptors Republic
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