Game 52: Toronto Raptors at Dallas Mavericks - Sunday January 27th, 7pm ET TSNN

[Scraptor]

Projected starters:

Kyle Lowry vs Dennis Smith Jr
Danny Green (questionable) vs Wes Matthews
Kawhi Leonard vs Luka Doncic (they list Luka at the 4)
Pascal Siakam vs Harrison Barnes
Serge Ibaka vs DeAndre Jordan

I am stepping in because no one stepped up. I have no idea what TSNN is but that's what was listed in two places.

Let's make Mark Cuban cry.

[Jclaw]

The best game thread is the first game thread. Thanks for getting it started. Go Raps.

[Gonzz]

TSN is on their main channel,1 and 4. Don’t have to go searching on channels 400 +++.
538 has us as 3.5 favourites.Home team usually gets a 3 point edge. Sure win if we play to our abilities and don’t give them a double digit first quarter lead.

[007]

I guess it’s been a good thing I’ve been really busy the last few days. Can finally sit back, relax and hopefully watch a good win

[consmap]

I guess it’s been a good thing I’ve been really busy the last few days. Can finally sit back, relax and hopefully watch a good win

That's what I thought on Friday

[Zainab]

Preseason dunk contest between rookie @mrvincecarter15 and his @Raptors teammate and cousin @Real_T_Mac is a MUST-SEE! #NBABDAY #NBAVault pic.twitter.com/jAeOx5nHry

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) January 26, 2019

[Yuri Gagarin]

Old school alright the fans all got montreal canadien and edmonton oiler gear

[Hotshot]

Lowry and DeRozan had 6 years to learn how to co-exist. He and Leonard have had 38 games. They're still figuring each other out. Kyle's trying not to step on Kawhi's toes, which is commendable, but he also needs to find balance in his game, and he knows it https://t.co/rSn3orFJ6I

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) January 27, 2019

Okay but can Lowry stop taking those quick pull up three's in transition?! They tend to cause more harm than good.

[Abbas]

Kyle Lowry vs Dennis Smith Jr - Dallas wins
Danny Green (questionable) vs Wes Matthews - Toronto wins
Kawhi Leonard vs Luka Doncic (they list Luka at the 4) - Toronto Wins
Pascal Siakam vs Harrison Barnes - Toronto wins
Serge Ibaka vs DeAndre Jordan - Dallas Wins

Toronto bench vs Dallas bench - Tie

Toronto wins 4-3

= Toronto wins 108 - 99

[GOLDBLUM]

Lowry and DeRozan had 6 years to learn how to co-exist. He and Leonard have had 38 games. They're still figuring each other out. Kyle's trying not to step on Kawhi's toes, which is commendable, but he also needs to find balance in his game, and he knows it https://t.co/rSn3orFJ6I

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) January 27, 2019

Okay but can Lowry stop taking those quick pull up three's in transition?! They tend to cause more harm than good.

Thanks for posting that.

Re your perspective... Thing is, was it last season or the season before that Kyle was actually tops in the league in pull up three percentage? He was higher than Steph. That’s historically been his shot. It certainly sucks right now when he’s not hitting them. Even near the beginning of the season he couldn’t miss those. We really need him to rediscover that shot.

Great to get that insight into his mind right now though amidst the ridiculous hottakes that he’s just punching the clock.

[A.I]

Thanks for posting that.

Re your perspective... Thing is, was it last season or the season before that Kyle was actually tops in the league in pull up three percentage? He was higher than Steph. That’s historically been his shot. It certainly sucks right now when he’s not hitting them. Even near the beginning of the season he couldn’t miss those. We really need him to rediscover that shot.

Great to get that insight into his mind right now though amidst the ridiculous hottakes that he’s just punching the clock.

I mean it is obvious thats why he isn't playing well.

Raptors are a great team and as a result expectations are high. People want everything to be perfect from Kyle and Kawhi co-existing together to Nurse's coaching, but Kawhi and Kyle has played 38 games together and Nurse is a rookie head coach, not everything will be perfect. Thats why regular season losses don't bother me. My hope is that some of the issues get fixed in time for the Playoffs (which I think will happen when the team is fully healthy) and they are able to play through any remaining issues and still win.

[JimiCliff]

Lowry and DeRozan had 6 years to learn how to co-exist. He and Leonard have had 38 games. They're still figuring each other out. Kyle's trying not to step on Kawhi's toes, which is commendable, but he also needs to find balance in his game, and he knows it https://t.co/rSn3orFJ6I

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) January 27, 2019

Okay but can Lowry stop taking those quick pull up three's in transition?! They tend to cause more harm than good.

This 'learn to co-exist narrative' is ridiculous.

[Hotshot]

Thanks for posting that.

Re your perspective... Thing is, was it last season or the season before that Kyle was actually tops in the league in pull up three percentage? He was higher than Steph. That’s historically been his shot. It certainly sucks right now when he’s not hitting them. Even near the beginning of the season he couldn’t miss those. We really need him to rediscover that shot.

Great to get that insight into his mind right now though amidst the ridiculous hottakes that he’s just punching the clock.

The thing is as I mentioned in my previous posts, I still believe Lowry is declining due to age + back issues. The Lowry we saw a season or two ago was peak Lowry and unfortunately at the age of 32 this is where players tend to have or already started to get a decline in production. Pull up jumpers were nice when they worked but now it doesn't.

[consmap]

Kyle was playing really well to start the season unless I'm remembering incorrectly. I really think that injury just threw a wrench into everything and he's just having a tough time getting back on track.

[Yuri Gagarin]

Ya Lowrys pull up three in transition has always been his money shot - the further behing the arc the better too. He hardly ever does spot up 3s

Nice to hear his angle.