Raptors Post Game Report Card: Jeremy Lin’s Game Winner Sinks the Raptors
Another one-possession loss down the stretch has Raptors fans frustrated during the toughest home stretch of the season. After losing to the LA Lakers from a Kobe Bryant game winner, Jeremy Lin sunk a dagger into Raptors fans’ hearts, giving the Knicks their first lead since the 1st quarter.
After a failed rebound from the Raptors, Lin dribbled down the clock to go for the game winner. He pulled up just behind the arc, and buried it, leaving 0.5 seconds left on the clock. The Raptors couldn’t get a decent shot off, and ended up dropping the contest 90-87. The season high crowd shared mixed results, as some showed up just to see ‘Linsanity’. Coincidentally, it was Asian heritage night at the ACC (really, it was a coincidence).
The Knicks trailed by 9 points going into the fourth quarter, but Lin sparked the comeback, finishing with 27 points and 11 dimes. The Lin hype is starting to spread like a virus, and it looks like the virus will spread even faster after that shot.
Indeed, all Lin does is win, and the Harvard graduate continues to prove NBA gurus wrong.
For the Raptors, Andrea Bargnani and Jerryd Bayless were out once again.
Let’s get to the report card:
Offence- B-
Positives
Jose Calderon posted another phenomenal game with 25 points and 9 assists.
Linas Kleiza was solid with 15 points as well, and the offence was effectively spread tonight by the offensively-challenged Raptor squad.
Negatives
Down the stretch, the Raptors failed to generate offence. This was detrimental and ultimately caused the Raptors to choke up the lead, allowing Lin to have that final shot.
Defence- C+
Positives
With the exception of Amare Stoudemire and Lin, the Knicks were held in check.
Negatives
The fourth quarter was a disaster defensively. Lin picked apart the team and down the stretch the Knicks simply outmatched the Raptor defence.
Rebounding- B
Positives
Linas Kleiza had a season high 11 rebounds, helping the Raptors outrebound the Knicks 40-34.
Negatives
While the Raptors did outrebound the Knicks, down the stretch the Knicks obtained many key rebounds and this was a huge factor in the loss. An offensive rebound set Lin up for the game winner, and Tyson Chandler and Stoudemire dominated on the glass in the last two minutes.
Overall, this was another heartbreaker for Raptors fans. However, the Raptors played another tough opponent and had the Knicks on the ropes for the majority of the game. The Raptors won’t have much time to sulk as the veteran San Antonio Spurs come to Toronto tomorrow night.
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