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Raptors 905 Update: Starting to cool down team goes 2-2

By Mike Bossetti

MISSISSAUGA, ON, CANADA - JANUARY 11: The Raptors 905 looks on during the game against the Santa Cruz Warriors during the G-League Showcase on January 11, 2018 at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images)
MISSISSAUGA, ON, CANADA - JANUARY 11: The Raptors 905 looks on during the game against the Santa Cruz Warriors during the G-League Showcase on January 11, 2018 at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Coming into the week ridiculously hot, the Raptors 905 took a small step back, going 2-2 with two key losses to division opponents.

For any team to call a 2-2 week a disaster is an overstatement. For the Raptors 905, still currently in prime playoff position, it is an extreme overstatement. Still, after entering the week only losing two of their last sixteen, losing two in a week’s time is disappointing.

With both opponents being division-rivals, the losses become even more upsetting. The week began with a heart-breaking buzzer-beater loss to the Westchester Knicks, and ended with a shoot-out loss to the Long Island Nets. Sandwiched in-between the losses were two wins against a formidable Erie Bayhawks team, and one of the leagues cellar-dwellers, the Canton Charge.

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Individually, the Raptors 905’s breakout performer was unquestionably Malcolm Miller. Miller, one of the team’s key reserves, was spectacular from three all week, shooting 13-of-23 from deep. Meanwhile, the team’s G-League all-star, Lorenzo Brown, played hot-and-cold all week, playing better in the team’s losses.

The past week was a dose of reality for the team. Winning nearly 90-percent of your games is not sustainable and the team was due to come back down to earth. It is important, however, the team does not let this slide continues and picks up their performance next week. Now time for a review of this week’s games.

Raptors 905 99, Westchester Knicks 101

The top two teams of both the division and conference, the 905 vs Knicks was just about as good of a G-League game as possible. The game on the court followed suit and provided fans with a thriller.

Nigel Hayes, fresh off his 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, started the game strong, scoring the first 12 points on the board for the Knicks. The Raptors 905 responded, limiting him to just seven points the rest of the game.

After leading by five after the first quarter, the 905 jumped increased their lead by seven more in the second making it a 12 point game at half. After a back-and-forth battle in the third, the team improved the lead slightly to 13 heading into the fourth quarter.

The fourth is where the Knicks took the game over. A quick run to start the fourth brought Westchester back within striking distance. After that point the Knicks grinded the lead down even further and were put in a position to win the game as time expired. After being relatively quite since his strong opening run Nigel Hayes hit a buzzer-beater as time expired to win the game.

Raptors 905 103, Erie Bayhawks 97

After a crushing loss to the Knicks, the 905 needed to fear a hangover game against another formidable opponent, the Erie Bayhawks. Luckily, no such hangover occurred.

The Raptors 905 battled with the Bayhawks throughout the night. At every turn just as it appeared as if the 905 was finally starting to pull away, the Bayhawks clawed themselves back into the game, although their efforts ended up falling short.

The post play was a huge difference for the 905, both Kennedy Meeks, as well as, Shevon Thompson recorded double-doubles with both players missing a combined three shots. Their performance paired with the spectacular play of Malcolm Miller, who scored an efficient 24, pushed the 905 over the top.

Raptors 905 113, Canton Charge 97

The Raptors 905 entered Tuesday’s game against the Charge as the clearly superior team, as Canton has struggled all season. So it was a shock to many to see the Charge up on the 905 after the first half.

Luckily for the 905, this was short-lived. A 34-to-19 third-quarter flipped the game around and an impressive fourth quarter sealed the deal.

The most impressive part of the performance was the well-distributed scoring on the offensive end. The 905 had seven players scoring in the double-digits with no player scoring more than 20. Rarely does the team not have at least one break-out performer so it was good to see a group-effort on Tuesday.

Raptors 905 119, Long Island Nets 125

The team started off hot in the first-quarter against the Long Island Nets. After one-quarter, the Raptors 905 already had a 13 point lead after dropping 38 in the opening quarter. After that point things slowly went down-hill. The 905 failed to get crucial stops all game.

The Nets managed at least 25 in every quarter, and posted an impressive 73 in the middle two frames. Individually for the 905 Lorenzo Brown tried to lift the team to victory, finishing the game with 25 points, 13 assists, and six steals.

The loss brings the Nets just two games back in the Atlantic Division, and puts a small amount of pressure on the 905’s playoff chances. Although if the team can get back to its previous form it will have nothing to worry about moving forward.

Next: Miami Heat Potential Playoff Preview

The Raptors 905 will take a nice break, playing next on Saturday Feb. 10 at 7:00 PM ET.

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