The Toronto Raptors have been as bipolar as possible in the second half of the season. In their first four games, they have been routed in humiliating fashion twice, blown out a division rival by almost 40 points, and won a one-point nailbiter at home. This team remains difficult to get a pulse on.
While the likes of Scottie Barnes are doing everything in their power to make sure this team can be as deadly as possible in the postseason, it’s hard to feel completely assured that they’re going to suddenly start dominating because of how inconsistent they have been.
While they have plenty of time to correct some of the mistakes they’ve been making (and the infrastructure to do so), Raptors fans might not be overly thrilled with the 2-2 record they’ve piled up over the last week of games. Cracks in the armor have been exposed, and they need to be patched up as soon as possible.
Should Nick Nurse and the Raptors fanbase worry about these trends that have manifested lately? Should the organization simply keep things as they are and hope that they will turn around shortly?
Should the Toronto Raptors panic about these 3 trends?
3. Third-quarter struggles
Toronto has been outscored by 37 points in the third quarter over the last four games, which has been a sharp reversal of their usual operating procedure. The Raptors have found themselves fighting through some poor starts and overcoming them in the second half.
The Raptors were relatively competitive in that half during their tussles with the Brooklyn Nets, but that can be written off as the result of playing a team that has been so beset by injuries that they are unable to function properly. While these quarters have been unsightly, there’s reason to believe things will turn around soon.
The Toronto Raptors should improve their play in the fourth quarter.
Toronto is playing without Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby in this stretch, forcing the rest of the starters to shoulder the offensive burden that those two help alleviate. Even though VanVleet played against Charlotte, it was clear that he was much less than 100% healthy.
It goes without saying that a healthy Raptors team is not going to be getting smacked around in the same fashion. WIth some winnable games coming up on the schedule, Toronto needs to get their second-half jitters figured out before the play-in suddenly rolls around.
Verdict: Patience
2. Khem Birch’s offensive issues
Birch is currently averaging 4.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this season, which is a far cry from the 11.9 points and 7.6 rebounds that earned him a $20 million contract with the Raptors. Since he’s returned from the All-Star break and entered the starting lineup due to Anunoby’s injury, he’s been a complete non-factor on offense.
Birch didn’t make one shot from the field in any of his first three games while playing some questionable defense. Thad Young was in the game to close against Brooklyn and Precious Achiuwa has been revitalized by his time with the Rising Stars. Birch’s slump could not have come at a worse time.
Khem Birch is struggling for the Toronto Raptors.
Birch hit double figures against the Nets, but he was doing so against a team that was missing their five best players and head coach. LaMarcus Aldridge in his current state is not exactly the most robust defensive opponent. Birch will get an opportunity to prove himself against Detroit and Orlando.
Birch has two more years left on his contract, but that won’t stop Toronto from looking elsewhere for upgrades if he continues to disappoint. With Young and Achiuwa breathing down his neck, the pressure is on for Birch. Some poor finishes could earn him a trade elsewhere for 2022-23.
Verdict: Panic
1. Pascal Siakam’s efficiency
Siakam’s shooting is one of the main reasons that Toronto has been able to play the way they have on the offensive end. After nearly earning an All-Star nomination in the first half, Siakam has looked completely winded and exhausted so far in the second half.
Over the last four games, Siakam is scoring just 12 points per game and making 29% of his shots in that span. The fact that Tuesday’s win against the Nets, a game in which he fouled out and went 7-19 and turned the ball over four times, was his best game of the second half should set off some serious alarm bells here.
Pascal Siakam has slowed down for the Toronto Raptors.
Siakam had reportedly been dealing with a non-COVID illness for the first few games, so that could be the culprit. Even if Siakam doesn’t reel off 30 points every night, the odds of a player like him making 29% of his shots for the rest of the season simply does not seem high at all.
Siakam is getting good looks at the basket, but they simply are not dropping. With one or two more solid offensive performances, Pascal should get back on the right track. Given the lack of bench scoring behind him, Toronto needs that as soon as possible.
Verdict: Patience