Toronto Raptors sloopy play returns

Toronto Raptors have fallen into odd habit as the Raps went 2-2 on the week and it ended on a soar note as the Raptors fell to the under talented Lakers 112-106. The Raptors hoisted up 30 three point shots which is 31% (30 of 98 shots taken) while getting to the line 11 (making 9). It was very up and down as they were up 19 in the first half (50-31) but they fell asleep late in the first half as the Lakers ended the half on a 23-8 run to close the Raps lead to 58-54. The Raptors scored the first 12 points in the third quarter to go up 70-54 but the Lakers ended the game on a 58-36 run. The Raptors could not help to settle for the 3-ball and when they needed to they could not figure out how to stop the Lakers (46.2%) as Pau Gasol had 22 points and Nick Young had 29 points while DeMar DeRozan had 23 points and Kyle Lowry 21 points. Kyle Lowry and Greivis Vasquez had 14 assists in the first half and only 2 in the second half. They also lost to Boston Celtics 88-83 as the Celtic's Jared Sullinger had 20 boards and 25 points and destroyed the Raptors as the C's out boarded the Raps 58-44. The Raptors lost the game at the line as they went 12 of 25 from the charity stripe as it felt like they had gotten free throw advise from Shaq while if Dwight Howard was given 25 shots from the line he may of hit more than 12 of them. In the end the Raptors are still much better than past Raptors team have done but I hope that the Raptors can get focused again and recharge their mind and bodies to be able to pile up the victories and get even more separation from the state of New York. The biggest challenge is up next as they are heading to Charlotte to face the Bobcats who have been a thorn in their side and will be a great challenge for the Raptors to prove that they are still the defensive and sharing/caring team. The Raptors have to get back to the basics Tom Mehegan