The Toronto Raptors got a welcomed piece of news Thursday as DeMarre Carroll returned to the court just in time for a Thursday night clash with his former team.
The Raptors eventually fell to the Atlanta Hawks 95-87, but the addition of Carroll is a big boost as the playoffs loom.
Here are takeaways from the game.
JYD 2.0 RETURNS
Ahead of the game, the Raptors announced Carroll was active after missing 41 games after right knee surgery. Carroll was on a 15-minute restriction and ended up playing 14. In that time he went 2-of-4 from the floor, with his best sequence offensively coming when he set a hard-ball screen then popped up for a three-pointer. After taking a rhythm dribble and checking his feet he confidently knocked it down. On defence he didn’t miss a beat, coming up with four steals.
Although he has stated he wants to, Carroll is not expected to play Friday against Indiana. Toronto is 38-16 when Carroll doesn’t play.
STRUGGLES AT THE STRIPE
Kyle Lowry’s shooting touch has returned after struggling with an elbow injury. However, even after having fluid drained from the elbow he’s still struggling from the line. Lowry made just 2-of-5 free throws against Atlanta, and has missed nine free throws in the last five games.
NO FREEBIES
The book on the Raptors around the league is to keep them off the free-throw line. Toronto took only seven free-throw attempts in the first half. DeRozan, who normally lives at the line, took just two attempts. When DeRozan has the same amount of free-throw attempts as he has three-point attempts you know something is wrong. DeRozan was just 7-of-24 and finished with 16 points in 33 minutes. The Raptors’ backcourt duo combined for just 32 points on 13 of 39 shooting.
NOT SO FAST
Atlanta had 16 fast-break points in the first half. At one point in the second half, the Hawks held the fast-break advantage 20 to nothing before it finished 22-2. The Raptors have to get out in transition and, more importantly, defend with their set defence if they have any hope of making a run in the playoffs.
ENERGY SAVER
All five starters finished in double figures for Atlanta. In contrast, all five Raptors starters were minus-6 or worse. Dwane Casey played 12 players against Atlanta, 10 of which played double-digit minutes. The high number was partially to find a combination that would play with energy and partly to save his players’ energy.
The Cavaliers’ magic number to clinch the best record in the conference is now one after the loss to Atlanta. Without the incentive of catching the Cavs, expect Casey to go deep in his bench in an effort to keep his players fresh.
SUPER STAT
The Raptors have made at least six three-pointers in 10 straight road games.
