Leonard sidelined, Barnes struggles in blowout Raptors loss

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Fingers are being crossed, maybe even a couple of prayers are being stated, however two video games into his second go-round with the Raptors and Kawhi Leonard has already been compelled to overlook a recreation.

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Leonard’s unavailability was introduced earlier than Sunday’s tipoff versus the host Minnesota Timberwolves as he offers with left knee swelling. He’s anticipated to be re-evaluated on Monday in Toronto with an replace anticipated on Tuesday.

It goes with out saying the Raptors aren’t as imposing with out Leonard within the lineup, however everybody, together with the franchise itself, knew that Leonard wasn’t anticipated to play all 82 regular-season video games.

For the report, he missed 22 video games when first acquired for the 2018-19 season. He performed all 24 post-season video games that spring, capped off by incomes NBA Finals MVP in main Toronto to its title.

This season, quick begins have been the norm for the Raptors in beating the Bulls and Wizards, however the roles have been reversed in opposition to the energetic and explosive T-Wolves.

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5 minutes into Sunday’s matchup and the Raptors have been compelled to name a timeout because the T-Wolves rapidly established an up-tempo tempo, which set the tone for what can be a 117-94 Toronto defeat, an entire letdown in Toronto’s first take a look at in opposition to a professional crew..

Stunning and utterly inexplicable was Scottie Barnes’ brutal efficiency. With out Leonard, Barnes needed to step up for the Raptors to actually have a likelihood in opposition to the entertaining T-Wolves.

As an alternative, Barnes posted his worst scoring recreation, maybe in his total hoops existence, pitching a shutout on 0-for-12 taking pictures from subject in 28 minutes, a pointless outing that noticed the face of the franchise register a minus-27 ranking.

And this after scoring 28 factors on Friday evening in Washington.

The next are three takeaways on an evening when the Raptors reserves scored a mixed 10 factors within the recreation’s opening 24 minutes, whereas first-year Raptors ahead Kyle Anderson made his return to the Twin Cities and acquired a pre-game tribute, followers cheering the veteran when he entered the sport with 1:21 left within the third quarter.

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BARNES NEEDED TO CREATE

In buying Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers, one of many gamers jettisoned by the Raptors was Brandon Ingram.

Ingram took lots of the offensive stress off Barnes, particularly in crunch time, permitting the younger Raptors star to play alongside a professional shot-maker and creator.

With out Leonard, the Raptors are woefully brief on gamers able to creating their very own shot. It’s the principle cause why the Raptors went with a smaller lineup with Collin Murray-Boyles at centre and Jamison Battle on the ground throughout stretches.

When T-Wolves’ defensive dynamo Rudy Gobert was on the bench, Barnes was in a position to assault the rim. However he missed all six of his pictures from the sphere within the opening quarter because the Raptors trailed 32-21.

The T-Wolves scored the sport’s first basket, the primary time this season the Raptors had trailed.

Toronto began the evening by having Barnes matched up in opposition to the electrifying Anthony Edwards, two nights after he began the sport guarding Anthony Davis, a 7-footer.

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It didn’t matter who Barnes was requested to defend as a result of his presence on offence was required. However he was nowhere to be discovered, which nobody might have envisioned.

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CAN WALTER REPLACE LEONARD?

Not many units are run for Ja’Kobe Walter and never lots of his teammates can flat-out shoot the ball from distance and drain threes the way in which he can.

Defensively, Walter isn’t any slouch, both.

With Leonard unavailable Sunday, Walter began after he crammed in fairly nicely final season, his second within the NBA, when requested to begin.

Ideally, Walter is finest served to return off the bench, which does get thinner when he’s not a part of the second unit.

When Leonard first performed for the Raptors, the membership went 17-5 in his absence. The 2018-19 version, it should be identified, was a lot deeper and skilled, that includes measurement within the likes of Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol.

Walter’s evolution undoubtedly helps, to some small diploma, Leonard’s loss as the newest iteration of the Raptors continues.

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With Minny on a run, it was Walter who helped silence the gang when he used the dribble earlier than getting his shot off from past the three-point arc.

In catch-and-shoot sequences, Walter’s kind is harking back to Ray Allen’s stroke, however not as fast because the legendary three-point shooter.

Walter’s 22 factors on 7-for-12 taking pictures led the Raptors.

WILL RJ BARRETT RECEIVE HIS FLOWERS?

Most followers and observers acknowledge Barrett’s worth and value, however there stays a gaggle of doubters.

With Leonard not out there, Barrett performed with an much more aggressive edge. When Barnes wasn’t on the ground, it was left for Barrett to resort to taking part in bully-ball. On one sequence, he drove the lane and kicked it out to rookie Allen Graves, who buried his open look from the precise pocket.

Barrett additionally did his half offensively, handing over his third consecutive 20-plus level effort to begin the season.

Up subsequent

A couple of days off, no less than when it comes to dealing with an NBA opponent, await the Raptors, who shall be house for a mini two-game set in opposition to the Orlando Magic starting Wednesday … Friday’s tip is the primary group-stage recreation for the Raptors within the NBA Cup … Magic star ahead and former first general choose Paolo Banchero is sidelined with a high-ankle sprain and is predicted to overlook no less than a month, a merciless blow for Orlando.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

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