3 ways the Raptors can win games with so many inactive players

The Toronto Raptors fell in defeat against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but one could hardly fault them for that result. 10 players were in the league’s health and safety protocols, meaning that Nick Nurse had to entrust Svi Mykhailiuk, Yuta Watanabe, and a bunch of players on 10-day contracts to lead this team.

While scoring 99 points despite four 10-day players who met their new teammates is actually somewhat impressive, giving up 144 points shows that Nurse’s defense is hard to pick up in the span of a few hours. Toronto may need to be shorthanded for the next few games until everyone gets healthy.

Toronto did have Pascal Siakam, Khem Birch, and Gary Trent Jr. clear protocols before their Tuesday game against the 76ers, but they have been ruled questionable and may not be at full strength. Toronto will still need to win without players like Fred VanVleet and Scottie Barnes.

The Raptors need to throw out their usual gameplan as they try to pick up some wins with so many players on the mend. Trying out these gameplay tweaks could help them while contributors are sidelined.

3 ways the Toronto Raptors can win with replacement players.

3. Give Svi Mykhailiuk a green light from 3-point range.

Mykhailiuk has come under fire for his inconsistent play, and putting up 10 points in 36 minutes in the Cleveland loss is not going to get some of the haters to calm down. One thing that was puzzling in that game was his insistence on going to the rim rather than lining up from deep.

Mykhailiuk went just 1-4 from 3-point range in that game. Asking a 32% 3-point shooter to take more shots from deep might not sound like a wise strategy, but he is one of the few active players on this roster who has a proven history of being an effective marksman at this level.

Toronto Raptors guard Svi Mykhailiuk needs to start shooting better.

While Trent might return soon, Mykhailiuk needs to be given permission to snipe from deep. Mykhailiuk was an above-average shooter, and if he can return to the form he showcased in Detroit and Oklahoma City, it would do wonders for the Raptors’ bench unit for the rest of the season.

Mykhailiuk should be taking more 3-pointers than 2-pointers. Whatever value he may bring as a slasher is outweighed by what he could bring to the table if he gets hot from deep. With so many scorers and perimeter players sidelined, Mykhailiuk needs to finally find his stroke in that area.