3 very bold second half predictions for the Toronto Raptors
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors have started the second half in just about the worst way possible after two blowouts on the road, but that is no reason to get overly pessimistic about their long-term prospects. The squad is still positioned to make the play-in tournament.
The club will need to overcome a hobbled Fred VanVleet and yet another potential extended absence for OG Anunoby, but they have enough scoring and star power to potentially fend off some of the more aggressive play-in contenders around them in the East.
The Raptors might face long odds when it comes to making a deep run in the postseason, but they shouldn’t be discouraged considering how many at the beginning of the year expected them to once again be mired in the lottery. They could start another hot streak, provided they can manage taking home a pivotal win in the next few days.
If Toronto can get back in a groove and play like they were during their eight-game winning streak, these three very bold predictions could come true. Are they unlikely? Perhaps. Are they within the realm of possibility if Toronto gets hot? Without a doubt.
3 very bold Toronto Raptors predictions for the second half.
3. Gary Trent Jr. will average 22 points per game.
Trent’s defensive improvement has been nothing short of astonishing this season, but he will be more valuable to this team as a shooter over the next few weeks. Trent is coming off of what was without question the best streak of his career on the offensive end in late January and early February.
Between January 25 and February 16, Trent averaged an astounding 25.0 points per game while making 46% of his 3-pointers on just under 10 attempts per game. Trent tallied seven games with at least 30 points (including five in a row) and a 42-point outburst that was two points away from his career-high.
Gary Trent Jr. will be important for the Toronto Raptors.
Trent began the second half with just 21 total points against Charlotte and Atlanta, but that can be chalked up to some general streakiness that could swing the other way soon. With Anunoby on the mend, expect the Raptors to lean on Trent for a substantial portion of their 3-point shooting production.
VanVleet is clearly not himself, and the only player in an Anunoby-less lineup that the Raptors can trust to shoulder such a large chunk of the responsibility from 3-point range is Trent. This plan could lead to a high volume of triples that pump up the young guard’s scoring averages.