In this time of trying to survive, the Raptors need sparks and contributions from unexpected sources to continue to manage an injury-filled season.
It’s what has kept them among the top teams in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, staying more than afloat despite the continued absence of their usual starting frontcourt and the first player to come off the bench.
It is a lot to ask of some players who are learning on the fly, and others who are assuming roles they are not used to and perhaps not suited for. But when it works it’s a tremendous boost in difficult times, and it’s been working wonderfully of late with Oshae Brissett.