The Raptors shot 50% (27/54) through the first three quarters and were only down two @ 73-71 to the Hawks and then in the fourth quarter the Raptors went 0 for 10 and did not score a single point til the 6:45 point of the quarter and then went 6 for 14 from the floor the rest of the quarter and did not get a single free throw attempt in the quarter after going 15 of 22 from the line in the first three quarters.
This time the Raptors only gave up 20 points in the quarter which is the best points against in a while as they kept playing tight defense which made it tougher for the Hawks with a block from both Jamaal Magloire and Ed Davis along with a steal and the Hawks had some bad passes as well. The Raptors also had 12 boards in the quarter which gave the Raps the chances to win the game but could not find their shot in the fourth quarter and really missed not having Andrea Bargnani especially with DeMar DeRozan being 5 of 17 from the floor and did not go to the line all night. The Hawks got 7 fourth quarter from Joe Johnson who ended with 27 points and 8 fourth quarter points from Josh Smith who also had 4 of his 15 boards in the quarter after he has been averaging 8.5 boards a game and the duo had 55 of the Hawks 93 points and 15 of the Hawks 20 fourth quarter points.
The Raptors got another hot shooting night going 8 of 15 from the floor, 2 from 3 from three, and 4 of 5 from the free throw line and had 22 points while Ed Davis filled in for Bargnani with the effort with 11 boards but went 3 of 8 from the floor and fell short with 9 points. Amir Johnson had a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards and Jose Calderon also had a double-double with 13 points and 11 assists but it would be better if Jerryd Bayless back in the lineup even though Gerry Forbes has had a couple of good games and played 14 minutes and had 3 assists.
Celtics on Wednesday will be tough
Tom Mehegan
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