Raptors’ slide hits seven as Iverson, Sixers cruise
Sixers 104 Raptors 92 Slow start costly as Philly pours in 39 in first period Mitchell praises youngsters for effort, chides vets
PHILADELPHIA— Sam Mitchell was almost plaintive yesterday morning in discussing the dire need for his Raptors to begin each game with a chip on their shoulders, to not accept lackadaisical play and less than full effort. A few minutes later, the notsosubtle Jalen Rose put it much more succinctly.
“ We just have to bring it,” he said.
Bring it? Bring up, maybe. By the time the Raptors awoke from whatever slumber had enveloped them shortly before seven o’clock last night, their seventh straight loss was practically in the books; they had given the Philadelphia 76ers unimaginably easy shots and open forays to the rim and what transpired as the night progressed was little more than the basketball version of fool’s gold.
Sure, a 104- 92 loss doesn’t look horrific and there were a few bright moments in the game’s final 36 minutes, but for the Raptors to have spent two days explaining how they’d build on the efforts of Sunday afternoon and try, try, try harder and then start as they did last night is little more than shameful. “We play in our position. If we’re tied, we play like we’re tied; if we’re behind, we play like we’re behind,” said a morose Chris Bosh, who fashioned a 19point, 17-rebound gem. “We don’t have a constant intensity and that’s what we have to keep working on. We’ve got to learn.”
Last night, they learned the hard way, allowing Chris Webber to make the first six shots he took, each one more open than the last, and meanwhile Allen Iverson was on his way to a 34point, 12- assist performance. The Sixers made 17 field goals in their ridiculously easy first quarter — one fewer than the Raptor franchise record for field goals surrendered in a quarter — the Raptors looked like they really weren’t too concerned and loss No. 7 in a row was practically in the books.
There was, of course, the requisite rally and it was anchored by the inspired play of Charlie Villanueva and Bosh, along with a breakout night from Joey Graham, who looked more assertive and comfortable than he has in previous games.
Mitchell, who wants effort more than anything because he truly believes 48 minutes of legitimate work will end with a victory, lauded the kids while chiding the veterans.
“ Our young guys are playing hard and competing,” he said after the game. “ We just have to get some of the other people to jump on board.” Once again, veterans Rose ( 15 points in 31 minutes), Morris Peterson ( seven points, 23 minutes) and Mike James (nine points, one assist in 30 minutes) didn’t hold up their end of the deal and Jose Calderon struggled chasing Iverson around, finishing with four points, four assists and six turnovers. And if there is one thing certain about the Raptors, they are never going to win unless more than Bosh and Villanueva are having good nights.
“ We should never have been in that position, giving up 39 points in the first quarter, and right there is where we lost the game,” said Villanueva, who had 27 points and 13 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass. “We have to throw the first punch instead of letting teams throw the first punch at us. The first five minutes of the game are critical and we have to send a message. We haven’t been doing that.” And the fourth quarter proved they lack the experience to come all the way back. After whittling the Sixer lead to six, a couple of ill- advised jump shots from James and Rose early in the shot clock quelled the run.
“ We finally get it to six and we stop doing those things sometimes,” said Bosh. “ I can’t explain it and it comes with experience. We keep seeing what ( bad) happens when we try to it another way. We have to learn.”