No team in the NBA this season has blown more double-digit leads in the fourth quarter than the Toronto Raptors, a trend that reared its ugly head in a 110-107 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic was furious over a non-call in the first half, which came before Toronto gave up a 15-point lead in the final frame. Losing against the league's better teams has also been a consistent trend.
According to Josh Levenberg of TSN Sports, the Raptors have lost 15 times against the NBA's top teams.
"The Raptors are 4-15 against top-10 teams. Last night, Darko lamented the lack of focus to close out those games, but he's going to have to wear that down," Levenberg reported. "They were in control, up by 12 when they started the fourth without Barnes and Ingram (vs. Wembey). With that went a 7-0 run and gave up momentum. Unforced error."
The Raptors' lead was cut to 10 in the fourth quarter. The Spurs immediately made it a game. Devin Vassell's 21 points led six Spurs players into double figures, including De'Aaron Fox (20 points) and Dylan Harper, who had 15 points off the bench.
Brandon Ingram (20 points) and Immanuel Quickley combined for 40 points on 15 of 34 attempts. The Spurs held the Raptors to 17 points in the final frame.
Scotty Barnes' injury hurts Raptors' momentum
Raptors All-Star Scottie Barnes has been hampered by a foot injury, according to reports. As fans were looking for answers after the game, as TSN's Josh Levenberg reported, Barnes playing through pain was reportedly one of many obstacles the Raptors faced during the second half of their loss to the Spurs.
Barnes was reportedly playing "on one leg" and he was "playing through the pain", as head coach Darko Rajakovic told TSN's Josh Levenberg after the game.
With 23 games left in the season, the Raptors' recent struggles are a new development as they battle for position in the Eastern Conference.
