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Key takeaways from the Toronto Raptors loss against the Celtics

By Nickeem Khan

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Nick Nurse speaks to referee Tony Brothers #25 during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center on December 29, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Nick Nurse speaks to referee Tony Brothers #25 during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center on December 29, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors – Fred VanVleet (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

#3: VanVleet needs some sort of help

Take Fred VanVleet out of the equation and the Raptors as a team shot 23-70, which is 33 percent from the field. Vanvleet finished with 35 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals on 65 percent shooting. One can only imagine how badly the Raptors would have lost if they didn’t get the performance they got out of Fred.

The bench was unable to provide any boost whatsoever, until the final minutes when they cut the lead to 10. The Raptors were outscored 60-29 in bench points by the Celtics. Terence Davis led the bench with 13 points, but the majority of those came during garbage time.

More accountability is needed within this Raptors team. Aron Baynes finishing with 0 points is concerning. He had multiple easy opportunities around the basket and was unable to finish. Being a complete liability on offense is not an attractive asset for head coach Nick Nurse and his coaching staff.

Pascal Siakam had his best game of the season with a quiet 22 points. In a game where Jayson Tatum dominated on the offensive end, it would be an assumption for Toronto’s max money guy to step up to the plate and go head-to-head.

Next. Toronto Raptors: Three New Year’s Resolutions for 2021. dark

The Raptors are in a serious cold spell, and they need to get out of it quickly if they intend on making any noise this season. Consistency is an issue and will need to be fixed as soon as possible, or else this will be a long season for the Raptors.

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