FIVE ADJUSTMENTS RAPTORS NEED TO MAKE TO TAKE CONTROL OF SERIES
MOVE THE BALL TO GET BETTER SHOTS
This one sounds pretty simple, but this team doesn’t enjoy making the extra pass nearly as much as it should. Only one team averaged fewer assists in the regular season. DeMar DeRozan is the biggest culprit and he has shot himself in the foot repeatedly against the Pacers, forcing his way into double or triplecoverage instead of swinging the ball for a better shot. While it’s true his assist numbers would have been higher on Saturday had his teammates hit those clean looks, the fact DeRozan shot 11 contested shots, according to NBA.com ( making only two of them) indicates he could have done a much better job with his decision- making. It isn’t all on DeRozan, but if he starts moving the ball, the offence will look much better. He is a dismal 11- for- 48 ( 22.9 per cent) on contested attempts over the course of the series.
FIND TIME FOR NORMAN POWELL
Yes, he’s a rookie and unproven, but Powell hasn’t looked out of place in his 55 minutes so far. He has been at worst, the second- best defender on Paul George, hit 44% of his shots, a team- best 43% on three- pointers and provided good energy. The Raptors could go small and start him with DeMarre Carroll at power forward, but who would guard Myles Turner? Or, they could move him ahead of Terrence Ross on the depth chart and even cut into DeRozan’s minutes if he continues to hurt the Raptors when he is on the floor. However Dwane Casey does it, he must find more time for Powell. He has outperformed DeRozan and Ross and is a much better defender than either, despite being smaller.
GET KYLE LOWRY OFF THE BALL MORE
Lowry has not looked like himself either and George Hill’s defence is a major reason why. Hill has hounded Lowry, getting up into him and being a pest. Lowry has not responded well, shooting terribly and making uncharacteristic mistakes. Playing him more with Cory Joseph, or even Powell, who can handle the ball, would take pressure off of Lowry and allow him to thrive as a scorer. It would also give him more energy to defend Hill, who dominated Game 4 and has shot a scorching 59 per cent so far, or would allow Joseph to guard Hill. With DeRozan struggling, it is asking too much to make Lowry the do- it- all lead guard for heavy minutes. Joseph likely won’t repeat his rough Game 4 performance.
WIN MORE BATTLES
Toronto was more physical and aggressive than Indiana in Games 2 and 3, getting after loose balls and winning most 50- 50 battles. In Game 1 that wasn’t the case and in Game 4 those battles weren’t even close. Aside from Bismack Biyombo and DeMarre Carroll, the Raptors didn’t seem into the game and weren’t ready to compete and meet the force of the Pacers. If they come out flat again and don’t play like the desperate side, Toronto could find itself heading back to Indiana facing elimination. Pacers coach Frank Vogel said Ian Mahinmi’s sore back “tightens up on him” when he gets hit. So, show no mercy, pound away at him.
ENGAGE IN THE OFF- COURT GAME
Gamesmanship is paying off for the Pacers. It started with Vogel imploring the referees to think hard about calling as many fouls on DeRozan and Lowry as they are used to in the regular season ( it has worked, DeRozan is barely getting to the line). Paul George has been yapping on a nearly daily basis about various things and has been getting tremendous leeway from the officials at both ends of the floor ( he handchecks a lot, a move that was outlawed years ago and draws tons of calls when he has the ball). After Game 4, George was smartly planting another seed when he talked of Jonas Valanciunas playing recklessly and swinging his elbows all game long. Now, he’ll surely get called for it in Game 5. Why don’t the Raptors play these games too?