Life without Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka has proven to be a bit of an adjustment for the Raptors. Tonight against the San Antonio Spurs in a 119-114 loss, it was the team’s defensive effort and attention to detail that couldn’t stay consistent. So far, there’s just been a stylistic difference between those two defensive stalwarts (particularly Gasol) and what Aron Baynes can do — and some of the reason for the Raptors’ rough start is in trying to close that gap as a team.
Unfortunately for the Raptors, their new defensive woes were also magnified by the bench tonight, which helped allow the Spurs to pour in 61 points at the half.