There are many reasons the Toronto Raptors are struggling defensively this season and they are all somehow connected by one glaring deficiency: getting to missed shots.
The Raptors began play Saturday night among the worst rebounding teams in the NBA, which exacerbates other issues with the team’s defensive woes.
Only four teams had a lower percentage of defensive rebounds than Toronto. The Raptors were in the middle of the pack in second-chance points given up and 24th among 30 teams in total rebounding.
Some of it can be chalked up to the relatively few defensive rebounds that are available — teams shoot 45 per cent against them on average — but it’s also an effort issue.