#ProveEm Playoffs – 7 Thoughts Heading Down the Final Stretch
By Jordan Skuse
Minutes Management
Across the board, the minutes of Raptors starters’ has declined from a season ago. Trailing only Golden State in point differential (+8.7), Toronto has had many opportunities to rest their big dogs, with DeRozan and Lowry both benefitting from many fourth quarters off.
DeRozan is playing around one less minute per night, but the big difference has been in Lowry’s minutes with him averaging five fewer minutes per game this season compared to last.
In his last 10, Lowry is averaging fewer than 30 minutes. Both him and DeRozan have seen their fourth-quarter minutes dip by ~ one minute per game this season. That adds up over time.
Whether fans and media like it or not, the elite teams in the NBA are able to benefit from rest days throughout the season. While the Raptors have yet to go to the extreme – electing to sit healthy stars for a game (or two) – they will need to continue monitoring the minute distribution down the stretch. Casey has to make sure he doesn’t burn out his stars before the playoffs,as good as the bench has been, there’s little hope for a deep run if both DeRozan and Lowry go M.I.A. in games 83 and beyond. Ensuring they continue to get valuable time on the sidelines will reduce the likelihood of such an occurrence.