GOT THEIR MOTOR RUNNING
The off-again, on-again Raptors rally in the fourth quarter to shut down the Pistons in Auburn Hills,
P.J. Tucker is the oldest Toronto Raptor but he’s also the newest member of the team and, as the stretch run of the NBA regular season arrives, he may become one of the most important players as well.
As a defensive specialist the Raptors desperately need, coach Dwane Casey has said repeatedly this week that he needs to find more time for the six-foot-six forward, whose work ethic is not only important but contagious.
“I don’t know what the numbers are exactly but we’re one of the top defensive teams when P.J.’s on the floor,” Casey said.
But sometimes Tucker, 31, isn’t on the floor often enough.
He hadn’t played more than18 minutes in three games before Friday’s win over Detroit and hadn’t played more than 30 minutes in any game for the Raptors since he was acquired at last month’s trade deadline.
Some of it is due to circumstances — the past three Raptors games have been blowouts one way or another, which limits the need for Tucker’s defence.
But Casey said he has to play Tucker more. Whether that extra time comes at the expense of DeMarre Carroll or Norm Powell will depend on nightly matchups, but look for Tucker to get at least 25 minutes a night. He played 27 Friday, and the Raptors were plus-12 when he was on the floor.
The one things the Raptors can expect is for him to lead by example. His consistent effort certainly catches the attention of his teammates.
“Delon (Wright) sees it, Norm has to see it, DeMar has to see it,” Casey said. “Just how P.J. is out there talking and, not only that, he’ll challenge his teammates. And that’s what you got to have: That peer pressure as the game is going on.”
The Raptors entered Friday at something of a crossroads in a season that’s been up and down, to say the least. Injuries to key players — Kyle Lowry, Patrick Patterson and DeMar DeRozan have all missed time and not a single player has appeared in every game — have left them lurching from one calamity to the next.
They have come through it as well as can be expected, going 8-5 with Lowry out and sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference within at least sniffing distance of third.