Raptors news: Offense goes cold vs. Clippers on ESPN, Andre Iguodala supports Scottie Barnes

The Toronto Raptors may have been given a raw deal by officials against the Denver Nuggets, but there was plenty to like about a game in which they hung tough against one of the best teams in the league on the road. Scottie Barnes, Nick Nurse and the rest of the team needed to build on that momentum against the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Raptors ended up on the wrong side of a 108-100 loss that was only as close as it was due to a late rally when the outcome of the game was virtually decided. Despite Toronto taking 96 shots to Los Angeles’ 71, the lack of efficiency from basically everyone who played extended minutes was alarming.

The Raptors now find themselves at 32-35, driving closer toward a 9-10 matchup against the Washington Wizards with each passing day. Any hope the Raptors have at escaping the play-in is starting to fade away with each lackluster game. This loss coming in front of a large audience on ESPN makes it sting even worse.

More Raptors news:

• The Raptors, and the rest of the NBA world outside of the state of Colorado, were united in their distaste for referee Scott Foster. At least, everyone except Jack Armstrong was. Armstrong called Barnes’ actions at the end of the game “chippy” before hyping up Foster as one of the league’s best officials. Based on performance, Foster is nowhere near the top.
• Longtime NBA veteran Andre Iguodala backed Barnes up, taking issue with the fact that Foster was very demonstrative and pointed his finger at Scottie in a way that could be characterized as demeaning. Iguodala, who has assuredly been on the wrong end of a Foster call or two in his day, said that his move was “very American” as he tried to show support to the beleaguered Canadian franchise.

NBA news

• The recently traded Kevin Durant was unable to make his home debut as a member of the Phoenix Suns after landing awkwardly on his ankle in pregame warmups. Head coach Monty Williams said that the injury is being termed an ankle sprain, while some Suns reporters noted that Durant was seen in a walking boot earlier in the evening.
• Former NBA All-Star Shawn Kemp, who was most well known for his long tenure with the Seattle SuperSonics, was booked in Pierce County (Washington) jail amid connections to a drive-by shooting. Tacoma police said that shots were fired in an altercation between two individuals near the Tacoma Mall on early Wednesday afternoon.