You’ll forgive DeMar DeRozan is he’s feeling a little conflicted as he takes the court for Game 3 of this deadlocked Raptors-Pacers series.
Yet another first-round playoff appearance isn’t going to script for the Raptors all-star. He’s shooting an ugly 27 per cent from the field. In two games he has scored 24 points, which is what he averaged nightly during the regular season. And given his struggle he has been presented with at least two distinct paths to salvation.
On one shoulder stands a tiny angel whispering in his ear. That’d be Dwane Casey, Toronto’s good-guy head coach, suggesting DeRozan have his eyes opened to a more virtuous brand of basketball.