Losing streak hits 10 games
Garrett Temple was back in Washington D.C., a city where he spent four seasons making a significant contribution to a Wizards team that often made the post-season.
Now, with the Raptors in full rebuilding mode, the 37-year-old has had to embrace a significant change in his role. He has appeared in only 17 of the Raptors’ 71 games, and hadn’t seen any action for well over a month until Friday, when he played 18 minutes and scored eight points in a loss to Oklahoma City Thunder.
Whether he gets three minutes of play or 25, Temple knows the most important thing for him and his younger teammates is to develop good habits on the court and continue doing the right things, instead of getting distracted by wins and losses.
“Focus on your role, what you do well, and do that to the best of your ability. That’s what counts,” Temple said earlier this week.
He tried to do enough of that Saturday, contributing three points, five rebounds and two assists in 10 minutes of the Raptors’ 112-109 loss to the Wizards.
Gary Trent Jr. was back in the starting lineup after missing Friday’s game due to lower back stiffness. He led Toronto with 31 points.
The Raptors, on the second night of back-to-back games, asked a young core to carry the day. Jahmi’us Ramsey started for the first time as a Raptor and finished with eight points. Ochai Agbaji contributed 12 points and nine rebounds.
Rookie Gradey Dick, in his ninth start, continued to show growth with off-ball movement and court vision. He made three of his eight attempts from three-point range and finished with 17 points.
Toronto has now lost 10 straight games.