OGT Nov 22: Raptors (8-6) @ Clippers (6-6) 3:30 EST/12:30 PCF

[Legends66NBA7]

http://www.nba.com/games/20151122/TORLAC/gameinfo.html?ls=iref:nba:scoreboard


http://i.cdn.turner.com/drp/nba/raptors/sites/default/files/styles/story_main_photo/public/hrgcl-fpnvspkdugcf-hg7efbnmcmn2tdirgqkrqsgq.png

http://mlse.digital/raptors/projectedlineups-112215.jpg


Both the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors have had hot starts countered by frustrating extended cold stretches.

The Clippers try to avoid a third straight loss when the teams meet Sunday afternoon, while the Raptors now deal with a injury to a key player as they conclude an already trying road trip.

Los Angeles (6-6) has lost six of eight since a 4-0 start and Toronto (8-6) six of nine after winning a franchise-record five straight to begin the season. The Raptors opened this five-game western swing with three consecutive defeats before having Friday's 102-91 victory over the Lakers marred by a broken left hand to center Jonas Valanciunas.

The Raptors have yet to disclose the length of Valanciunas' absence, though he missed 18 games when fracturing his right hand as a rookie in 2012-13.

Valanciunas, signed to a four-year, $64 million extension in August, is averaging 12.7 points and a team-leading 9.3 rebounds as Toronto's top offensive post threat.

"It's unfortunate, and we're definitely going to miss him because of what we do, so it's next man up right now," guard Kyle Lowry said.

The Raptors were able to withstand the injury Friday, outscoring the lowly Lakers 53-41 with Valanciunas sidelined the second half. Lowry led five Toronto players in double figures with 25 points and Terrence Ross provided a lift off the bench, scoring eight points in 14 minutes in returning from a six-game absence caused by a sprained left thumb.

"We had a sluggish second quarter, but the third quarter and fourth quarter I thought we played well," Lowry said.

Closing out teams has been a problem of late for the Clippers. After blowing a 23-point third-quarter lead to unbeaten Golden State on Thursday, they were outscored 19-8 over the final 6 1/2 minutes of Friday's 102-91 setback at Portland. The Clippers went 8 for 24 and committed five turnovers during the pivotal fourth quarter.

"We're just not finishing games right now," guard Chris Paul said.

Blake Griffin's late struggles have been the most pronounced. The All-Star forward went 3 for 8 from the field in Friday's final period and was held to one fourth-quarter point in the 124-117 loss to Golden State.

Griffin is shooting 47.7 percent and averaging 5.9 points in the fourth, his lowest numbers of any quarter.

Conversely, the Raptors have often started slowly, having shot a league-low 35.9 percent while averaging 22.1 points in the first quarter.

One positive for the Clippers is that Paul played 61 minutes over the back-to-back sequence after sitting the previous two games with a sore groin and scored a season-high 35 points against Golden State.

J.J. Redick returned Friday after missing three straight with a back injury, though he finished 3 of 12 from the field for a season-low seven points. Paul Pierce is available as well after being rested against Portland.

Redick made five 3-pointers and totaled 23 points against Toronto on Dec. 27, but Lowry had 25 points and the Raptors halted a four-game series road skid with a 110-98 decision. Valanciunas tallied 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Toronto also posted a 123-107 home win Feb. 6 to complete its first season sweep over the Clippers since 2009-10.

[Legends66NBA7]

Disregard the projected lineup for the Raptors, there's no Valanciunas.

Biyombo is the probably starter.

[Legends66NBA7]

Bad start, can't spread the floor.

[LoneyROY7]

Blake shouldn't be playing this game. Tweaked his knee last game and hasn't been moving well since.

[dunksby]

Blake is such a bad defender :facepalm

[Legends66NBA7]

Carroll, Scola, and Biyombo stepping it up early.

[LoneyROY7]

Blake is such a bad defender :facepalm

You don't watch games.

[dunksby]

You don't watch games.
I'm watching, that stupid foul on Scola or the soft ass cover on Carrol before, dude doesn't have the tools nor the IQ for defense.
And while BG is insisting to play like a jump shooting wing, Clippers haven't outrebounded any team yet :facepalm

[LoneyROY7]

We're playing CP3 ball right now. Stand around and watch Chris dribble. :facepalm

[Legends66NBA7]

Ugh, Raps need to get to the line.

[LoneyROY7]

I'm watching, that stupid foul on Scola or the soft ass cover on Carrol before, dude doesn't have the tools nor the IQ for defense.

Allowing 39 percent from the field to his opposing match-up this season. Allowed a 15 PER is opposing PFs last year and was statistically the best post-defender in the league.

Get served.

[dunksby]

You don't watch games.
Wow Scola messing him up, man you don't want people to watch the games, this is embarrassing :lol

[LoneyROY7]

Wow Scola messing him up, man you don't want people to watch the games, this is embarrassing :lol

No response for facts. :oldlol:

[kNIOKAS]

Biyombo playing. I'm thinking should I put a bet on this game, somewhere

[dunksby]

No response for facts. :oldlol:
You bring up stats, I'm watching the game, maybe it's you who should watch the games :lol

[Legends66NBA7]

Carroll 5/5 and playing good defense.

[LoneyROY7]

You bring up stats, I'm watching the game, maybe it's you who should watch the games :lol

He's hurt right now, like I said in my first post genius.

[fragokota]

Does Doc give Prigioni any burn time? I mean he can't be worse than Austin right?

[dunksby]

He's hurt right now, like I said in my first post genius.
Blake was never a good defender, stop your homerism, he should at least get after those rebounds instead of playing like a soft ass stretch four.

[fragokota]

Smith back to his usual retarded self i see...HOU got lucky last year in the playoffs.

[LoneyROY7]

Blake was never a good defender, stop your homerism, he should at least get after those rebounds instead of playing like a soft ass stretch four.

Except the stats I just dropped say otherwise, bud. Keep the blinders on.

[Legends66NBA7]

I'm wondering if Casey insane enough to actually play just 1 center today.

[dunksby]

Except the stats I just dropped say otherwise, bud. Keep the blinders on.
:oldlol:

[LoneyROY7]

:oldlol:

:cheers:

[Legends66NBA7]

Started well, surprising. Hope they can sustain it.

[dunksby]

:cheers:
I'd rather watch the game and enjoy it as you suggested than bicker :cheers:

[Kungfro]

Missed the first quarter to finish watching CFL, who would have thought the Redblacks would be in the grey cup after last season? Good to see Raps starting off well.

[Legends66NBA7]

What the hell are the Clippers doing ?

:oldlol:

[LoneyROY7]

Wow, why the f*ck is Blake playing today? Looks like a shell right now.

[Legends66NBA7]

Damn, Paul and Griffin haven't scored yet.

[dunksby]

Get in the god damn paint Blake! :facepalm

[LoneyROY7]

Don't suit up if you can't move properly.

[ArbitraryWater]

Coca Scola :bowdown:

[Random_Guy]

clippers :facepalm:

[Legends66NBA7]

That's what you got to do if your DeMar. Take Redick to the post and draw fouls or pass to the open guy.

[R.I.P.]

DeMarre Carroll has murdered the King of the North. :lol

[kNIOKAS]

Clippers ultra bad lol

[WadeStan]

Clips haven't recovered from that Dubs comeback the other day... embarrassed by the Blazers and now this

[ArbitraryWater]

Dude, what the **** are the Clippers doing

[Kungfro]

What is happening to the Clippers right now?

[Legends66NBA7]

DeMarre Carroll has been lights out.

[LoneyROY7]

What is happening to the Clippers right now?

Blake's hurt. And this team ain't shit when he's not carrying the load.

[Legends66NBA7]

Got to keep the intensity up. Raptors need a complete dominant win.

[VengefulAngel]

Doc needs to be fired... this Clips team is woeful at the moment.

[dunksby]

This is incredible, there's bad, and then there's this...

[Truth]

Clippers are fyckin garbage just like their scumbag fans and their coaches

[VengefulAngel]

Finally Lowry :bowdown: :bowdown:

[Legends66NBA7]

DeMar not making field goals is my only complaint, but otherwise... this has been a dominant game by the Raptors. Playing terrific on both ends.

[Hopper15]

Clippers haven't recovered from that Warriors loss. lol

[VengefulAngel]

DeMar not making field goals is my only complaint, but otherwise... this has been a dominant game by the Raptors. Playing terrific on both ends.

Trying too hard to get going needs to play in the flow more. Raps really looking good and Clips really looking awful.

[dunksby]

Doc Rivers is the most overrated coach in the league, dude is practically a scarecrow.

[R.I.P.]

Clippers haven't recovered from that Warriors loss. lol

Wouldn

[VengefulAngel]

[QUOTE=R.I.P.]Wouldn

[Legends66NBA7]

Trying too hard to get going needs to play in the flow more. Raps really looking good and Clips really looking awful.

I think he'll pick it up in the 2nd half. It's been recurring theme for him this season.

The overall effort by the team after Jonas's looks very positive. I think they work better going small.

[Naero]

:facepalm

I love seeing the Clippers lose, but I still can't help but sympathize for some of the misguided veterans who thought this underachieving assemblage of talent would be their ticket to a ring.

The perspective needs to change on Doc Rivers, who's reputedly been one of the best coaches in the league -- mostly out of a motivational reputation,!but it's rare that we ever see him win the Xs & Os battles down the stretch.

[WayOfWade]

On NBA.com, I see the score is 63-34, yet all the highlights posted are of the Clippers

[Legends66NBA7]

Rex Kalamian being very PC with the "I think so"... referring to the Raptors having to it best 1st half.

[Legends66NBA7]

On NBA.com, I see the score is 63-34, yet all the highlights posted are of the Clippers

The bias is real. Ain't mad though.

[Xoush]

Can a brother get a proper stream link?

[VengefulAngel]

Horrendous start to the second half.

[Nick Young]

DeMar not making field goals is my only complaint, but otherwise... this has been a dominant game by the Raptors. Playing terrific on both ends.
soft jumpshooter gonna shoot soft jumpers. If you're a Derozan fan you should expect this by now:lol

[avonbarksdale]

soft jumpshooter gonna shoot soft jumpers. If you're a Derozan fan you should expect this by now:lol


also had 10fa in the first half, getting us 9 points and giving the clippers 5 fouls

[LoneyROY7]

Chris just doesn't hit shots he used to.

[Nick Young]

also had 10fa in the first half, getting us 9 points and giving the clippers 5 fouls
He also will lead your team to another first round exit in a crappy conference and division:lol :lol :lol


WE DA NORF:banana: :banana: :banana:

[Nick Young]

On NBA.com, I see the score is 63-34, yet all the highlights posted are of the Clippers
That's because Toronto "highlights" consist only of 19 foot jump shots.

[Kungfro]

Raps have been terrible this quarter, lucky the Clips haven't been much better.

[fragokota]

3rd qt is the definition of a brickfest.

[Legends66NBA7]

Not sure why they don't go to the bench early.

[LoneyROY7]

lol Blake literally can't move out there. Get on the bench, son.

[Legends66NBA7]

3rd qt is the definition of a brickfest.

Wide open looks too.

[R.I.P.]

Scola be like that. Volleyball.

[Nick Young]

Why do CP3 lead teams always have so many failure games like this?

[VengefulAngel]

Austin Rivers is a joke.

[MellowYellow]

I told y'all the clippers was mediocre

[Nick Young]

I feel like the craptors will choke this massive lead away, but will still wind up barely winning.

[dunksby]

Raptors choking :lol

[Nick Young]

Raptors choking :lol
Craptors and Clippers both staying true to form this game.:lol

[dunksby]

Craptors and Clippers both staying true to form this game.:lol
To be fair, they are missing Jonas, but their 3rd quarter just screamed no offensive plan.

[Nick Young]

wow, I would feel embarrassed to be a fan of either of these teams:oldlol:

[Kungfro]

So glad we gave Ross that big contract, what would we do without him.

[TemporaMutantur]

I feel like the craptors will choke this massive lead away, but will still wind up barely winning.

This.

[Nick Young]

Raptors offense is based entirely around taking soft jumpshots and Derozan isos :lol

Craptors are doing their best to choke this game away but Clippers are not taking advantage.


Craptors players are all afraid to shoot.

[Beebo]

So is Casey going be fired if we lose this?

[fragokota]

Worst game of the year by far. Each team doing their best trying to lose this game. Wtf is wrong with Griffin tonight? Beyond awful so far.

[Nick Young]

Craptors are trying so hard to choke and the Clippers won't let them XD

[Kungfro]

Finally made a basket. :applause:

[francesco totti]

The first half toronto scored 63, second half 12.
If not for clippers missing some open shots,they be up by now.Pierce missed liek 2 open 3 pointers, reddick missed some open looks too.

[Nick Young]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2929945766/a1141cd77412145f66d7aa1163ae7943_400x400.gif

[Kungfro]

12 points in the second half so far. :facepalm Living up to that Craptors name.

[Nick Young]

Why are they letting Austin Rivers run the offense?:roll: :roll: :roll:

[HenryGarfunkle]

Lowsy and DeRozan a combined 6-27

Griffin though... lmao

[TemporaMutantur]

Lowsy and DeRozan a combined 6-27

Griffin though... lmao


Griffin has been solid this season, it's just truly an atrocious game for him.

[Young X]

If you're Doc Rivers, why would you leave you're bench in there and not bring in your best guys way sooner?

I understand that they came back, but why wouldn't you put back in you're starting guys to settle everything down in the last half of the quarter?

This dude is an idiot when it comes to rotations.

[dazzer87]

What the hell is going on with the clippers?

[Nick Young]

Lowry:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Uncle Drew]

This is some D-league level basketball being played.

[Nick Young]

Clips with zero urgency, did they just give up?

Craptors are trying hard to help you win Clips. Take advantage.

[LoneyROY7]

Griffin has been solid this season, it's just truly an atrocious game for him.

He's injured. He hurt his knee last game. I have no idea why he's playing.

[VengefulAngel]

He's injured. He hurt his knee last game. I have no idea why he's playing.

Perhaps because the rest of the team suck.

[Beebo]

A win's a win I guess :confusedshrug:

[Sakkreth]

This was fcking horrible, atleast we won...

[VengefulAngel]

I just witnessed one of the worst second halves you ever can watch.

[KOBEtherealKing]

doc still wont be gone? oh yea no because its only November :roll:

[Legends66NBA7]

Have the next 2 days off, ya ?

Coaching session: Do everything in the 1st half. Don't do everything in the 2nd half.

[pastis]

wtf. what was that for a game. clippers looked....exhausted:biggums:

[VengefulAngel]

Have the next 2 days off, ya ?

Coaching session: Do everything in the 1st half. Don't do everything in the 2nd half.

Pretty much this.

[Legends66NBA7]

When Cory Joseph is having an off night, the Raptors have no bench. I mean, James Johnson should be that 2nd scorer since Ross and Patterson defer so much but he hardly ever plays.

Life without Jonas was looking great until the nightmare of 2nd half. Why not use Lucas Nogueira ? I don't get why Casey can't trust his younger players. It's not like he's a bad option.

[Legends66NBA7]

Watching the replay of this 4th quarter:

-Lowry and DeRozan ISO'ing and playing hokey pokey with the sideline.
-Ross and Patterson playing soft and scared.
-Biyombo's ability to catch and loose ball fouls.

The only Raptor who didn't fade into oblivion today was Luis Scola, who gets player of the game honors for this turd of a game.

[Nick Young]

Watching the replay of this 4th quarter:

-Lowry and DeRozan ISO'ing and playing hokey pokey with the sideline.
-Ross and Patterson playing soft and scared.
-Biyombo's ability to catch and loose ball fouls.

The only Raptor who didn't fade into oblivion today was Luis Scola, who gets player of the game honors for this turd of a game.
AKA
No heart
No leadership
No balls