The Toronto Raptors erased a 15-point fourth quarter deficit last night, but a coach’s challenges couldn’t erase a late foul on Damion Lee — and his two free throws were the difference maker, as the Raptors fell 106-105 to the Warriors.
It would be easy to blame the outcome on that call, or on the Raptors’ final play (an 18-foot fadeaway from Pascal Siakam). But too many offensive lulls, too many missed free throws and a terrible game from the Raptors bench (outside of Chris Boucher) doomed the team on this night.
1. Starting Small
Well, in some ways, the small-ball lineup that started the game — Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, Norman Powell, Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby — was a bit of a bust.