After coming close recently, the Toronto Raptors aim to take the next step against the visiting Houston Rockets on Sunday night and end a six-game losing streak.
The Raptors lost 122-121 to the Chicago Bulls on Monday and lost 101-94 to the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday despite leading by 10 points in the third quarter.
On the other hand, the Rockets have won three of their past four, including a 133-113 romp at home over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday.
With Jakob Poeltl (groin) and RJ Barrett (illness) out of the game on Thursday, the Raptors sent out what the team said was their youngest starting lineup in franchise history at an average age of 22 years and 187 days.
The inexperience showed in the fourth quarter against Brooklyn when Toronto was outscored 31-18. Scottie Barnes had 16 points on his return from a sprained ankle but in the fourth quarter scored only two points, had two turnovers and committed three fouls.
“We just gave up more points than every other quarter,” said Barnes, who missed two games with the injury. “That’s the quarter that we really need to lock in, get stops.”
Toronto shot 36.8 percent (7-for-19) in the fourth quarter, including 1-for-10 from 3-point range.
“We missed some open shots, but we also got stagnant there toward the end of the game,” Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said. “And we were chasing some isolations instead of playing to our style of ball movement and cutting and moving. A lot of learning from this game, especially for our young guys to learn how to close the game.”
The Rockets are coming off their hottest shooting game of the season — 57.5 percent (50–for-87) from the field that included 43.6 percent (17-for-39) from 3-point range.
They are 12-0 when shooting 45 percent or better and 3-0 when shooting 50 percent or better.
Jalen Green led the way with 34 points in going 13-for-22 from the field on Thursday.
“I feel like we got back to playing faster, for sure, from the start,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “Defense to offense is always a good formula for us, and it stood out rewatching the preseason game (against the Pelicans) with the pace we were playing at. It’s obviously an emphasis coming into the season and talked to guys about that, get out running. The shots are going to be there, be strong with it in the pocket and shoot confidently.”
Houston had 34 assists, including nine from former Raptor Fred VanVleet, who had 13 points.
“Really, (we) were playing fast, scoring in transition,” Green said. “Getting defensive stops and that led to dunks. And then, saw a couple go in, so it was nice. That has been the main thing for us, to run more. We want to play fast. We have a lot of athletes. So, coach has emphasized that, and as a team, we try to get stops and get out and run.”
Houston had 28 points off the fast break and 19 points off the 12 turnovers committed by the Pelicans.
“We shared the basketball,” said Dillon Brooks, who scored 26 points. “We found good shots, we shot with confidence and what’s so good is that every night, we’re trusting our teammates, regardless of if they’re having an off night.”
Houston and Toronto split two games last season. They meet again on Feb. 9 at Houston.
–Field Level Media
