Young Toronto Raptors players are getting to show what they can do and the next opportunity comes Wednesday night against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers.
None has taken better advantage of the chance than A.J. Lawson, who ripped off career bests of 32 points and 12 rebounds on Monday night in a 119-104 home victory over the Washington Wizards.
Lawson (Brampton, Ont.) and teammate RJ Barrett (Mississauga, Ont.) are 24-year-olds from the Toronto area and played together as youths.
“I’ve been dreaming about this for who knows how long, probably since I first touched a basketball,” said Lawson. “I’m a Toronto kid, grew up in Brampton. To have a performance like this means everything.”
Barrett had 14 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists on Monday.
“That’s a full-circle moment, right there,” Lawson said.
“It’s just like, ‘Look at how far we’ve come.’ It’s pretty cool,” Barrett said.
Lawson played 42 games last season for the Dallas Mavericks, who waived him in October. He signed a two-way contract with Toronto in December.
Injuries and regulars being rested have created opportunities. Rookie Ja’Kobe Walter made the winning 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat the Orlando Magic 114-113 on March 4. Another rookie, Jamal Shead, made the final shot on Saturday in a 118-117 loss to Washington that would have won the game but video review determined that it did not beat the buzzer.
“I think it’s exactly what we need right now, for guys to be in close games, to learn how to close games, learn what it looks like,” Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said.
“It’s different players, as you can see. Every night it’s going to be different guys out there, I think it’s paramount to put them in those situations and for them to figure out, to learn. Sometimes it’s going to work out, sometimes it’s not going to work out but that experience, you cannot replicate it in any practice.”
Neither team shot well on Monday and the high number of missed shots allowed Toronto to set a team record with 73 rebounds. Toronto shot 39.4 percent (43-for-109) from the field and Washington shot 36.2 percent (38-for-105).
The short-handed 76ers took a 132-123 road loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday despite a late rally. It was their 15th loss in the past 18 games.
“You get going the wrong way a little bit,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said. “I’m just trying to keep them fighting. They did a great job of that, of continuing to try to get back in the game, and they almost did it.”
Quentin Grimes scored 35 points for the 76ers, who had a 43-35 scoring edge in the fourth quarter.
Next in scoring for Philadelphia was reserve Ricky Council IV with 19 points. Nurse wants to see improvement in the second-year forward to finish the season.
“We just want Ricky to play a little better,” Nurse said. “He’s just got to play a little bit more physical — defense, rebounding. He’s a great athlete. I know he’s only 6-foot-4, but we need help on the glass. He’s got to provide some of that. He’s got to provide some help at the defensive end as well. Again, he’s a good athlete with quickness.”
“I just have to continue to prove myself so coach can trust me on the floor,” Council said. “That’s the only thing I’m focused on.”
–Field Level Media
