Mar 29, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Toronto Raptors power forward Amir Johnson (15) shoots over Detroit Pistons center Greg Monroe (10) during the first quarter at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

This was a game in which the starting five earned its pay. Rudy Gay and DeMar DeRozan each scored 21 points; Rudy also drained 3 of 4 from long distance. His production from beyond the arc was badly needed – Alan Anderson needed six tries to hit the only other Raps’ 3. Amir Johnson needed just 11 shots to score 20 points, as he was unstoppable near the basket. Jonas Valanciunas more than held his own against Detroit’s formidable duo of Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond. Our emerging centre pulled down 13 rebounds, and contributed 4 blocked shots. JV drained several mid-range jumpers, as well as close-in buckets of the kind we expect, on his way to 14 points. Kyle Lowry continued his scoring struggles, with a meager 4 points, but he keyed the offense with 11 assists. Our second unit could only muster 19 points; by contrast, the Pistons’ Jonas Jerebko bounced off the bench to lead their team with 20.

Mar 29, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons shooting guard Kyle Singler (25) guards Toronto Raptors small forward Rudy Gay (22) during the first quarter at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Jose Calderon did not have a night to remember against his former squad. He attempted only 7 shots, and ended with 8 points. His NBA-leading 3-point shooting percentage won’t be damaged after hitting 2 of 4, but Jose would much rather have gotten the win. Three turnovers against seven assists isn’t a happy stat for him either, but he gets no help from his backcourt mates. Detroit’s guards, other than Jose, might be the worst in the NBA.

Raps’ coach Dwane Casey appears to be set on his players, regardless of score. Guys like Aaron Gray, Sebastian Telfair, and Mickael Pietrus are piling up the dreaded DNP-CDs (“Did Not Play – Coach’s Decision”) to an embarrassing extent. Even in a blowup like this one, these guys didn’t get any burn. It says here there will be an enormous amount of churn in the Raps’ roster during the off-season.

Anyway, it’s a win, and it stops the bleeding. The Raps travel to Washington to play the Wizards, another team heading for the draft lottery, on Sunday evening. Can we get another road victory?

Brian Boake is a co-editor for Raptors Rapture. “Like” Raptors Rapture on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RaptorsRapture for all the latest news and updates about the best damn NBA team from Canada.

The Raps couldn’t shoot to save their lives, but the home team still had a chance to steal a victory. Late in the game, behind an astonishing flurry of 3-balls from reserve swingman Alan Anderson, the Raps pulled into a 77-all tie. However, the Grizzlies decided to double-cover Anderson, and dared the rest of the Raps to score. They weren’t up to the task, particularly Rudy Gay. The only bright spot in the game’s last 4 minutes was a Kyle Lowry 4-point play (Anderson had one with 6 minutes to play, oddly enough). The offense seized up, and the Grizzlies chipped in enough points to pull away.

Feb 20, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward-guard Alan Anderson (6) drives to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies forward Quincy Pondexter (20) at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

I would not be doing justice to you, the reader, if I didn’t make abundantly clear what a dreadful game this was for the Raps. The team made 26 field goals on 71 shots, but if you take away Anderson’s 6-for-7, you’re left with 20-of-64, or barely 31 percent. Rudy had as many turnovers (5) as baskets. DeMar DeRozan was 1-for-9. Andrea Bargnani was 0-for-4. That’s enough pain.

The Grizzlies dominated the boards, particularly when Zach Randolph was on the floor. Seven of his 18 rebounds were on the offensive glass. Not surprisingly, the Grizzlies got to the free throw line more than our team by a 34-26 margin.

It was fitting that the Raps couldn’t score at game’s end, because that’s how they started. The game was 3 minutes old before the first points were recorded on an Amir Johnson slam. Both teams were missing easy shots, and turning the ball over at a furious rate. The boos started early.

Rudy’s two 3-balls were both off glass, which caused some cheering, but he didn’t offer much else. His first chance to hurt his former team was a disaster. Rudy kept driving into the Memphis bigs, losing the ball or throwing up off-balance prayers, then voicing his displeasur to the refs. But what was worse than his whining was the fact that everyone in the building, including the opponents, knew that Rudy was going to play 1 on 5. I’ve got an idea – PASS THE BALL.

Ed Davis drew applause when he entered the game, but he had little opportunity to influence the outcome in 14+ minutes of play. Hey Memphis – if you don’t want him, give him back.

At half-time a thoroughly frustrated DeMar threw the game ball into the giant screen mechanism above the floor, where it stayed. That’s the kind of night it was for the Raps – the ball had a mind of its own.

There’s little time for licking wounds. The New York Knicks are in town Friday night for a game which is already a sellout.

Brian Boake is a co-editor for Raptors Rapture. “Like” Raptors Rapture on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RaptorsRapture for all the latest news and updates about the best damn NBA team from Canada.