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Raptors Shift Focus to Development Amid Playoff Exit

TORONTO – As the Toronto Raptors approach the conclusion of this season with a playoff spot slipping away, the team is prioritizing player development.

In a 108-97 victory against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday—marking their third consecutive win—the Raptors demonstrated that their focus on growth extends beyond just their younger players.

The standout performances from Jakob Poeltl, Scottie Barnes, and Immanuel Quickley were pivotal in securing the latest victory, instilling some hope that the team might engage in more significant contests next season.

“It’s encouraging to see how hard they’re playing, their level of connection, communication, and support for one another,” remarked head coach Darko Rajakovic. “That’s incredibly important for me. Hard work and team chemistry are foundational, and I’m proud of what we’ve built together this season.”

Poeltl, the nine-year center from Austria, led the team with an impressive 24 points along with 12 rebounds, showcasing his strong presence in the paint. Barnes, a seasoned forward and former All-Star, added 18 points, six rebounds, and six assists to the effort, while Quickley, a guard in his fifth season who joined the Raptors in last season’s trade with the New York Knicks, contributed 19 points and nine assists.

With all three players locked into contracts for the upcoming season, Poeltl noted the significance of their current form, which includes winning streaks earlier in March. He highlighted that this period is essential for developing chemistry on the court.

“This is crucial for building collaboration among us,” Poeltl commented. “If we can maximize our practice opportunities in these final games, it will reflect the effort we’ve put in throughout the year and allow us to further test our capabilities.”

The Raptors currently hold the seventh-worst record in the NBA, placing them with a 32% chance of securing a top-four pick and a 7.5% likelihood of landing the number one selection in the upcoming NBA Draft lottery set for May 12. Their position seems relatively secure, being 3.5 games ahead of the 24th-placed Philadelphia 76ers yet falling four games behind the 22nd-ranked San Antonio Spurs, with only nine games remaining on their schedule.

Looking ahead, the Raptors will face the 76ers again this Sunday, hoping to extend their winning streak to four games. This matchup would complete a sweep over lower-tier teams, as they have previously triumphed against the Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, and Washington Wizards.

At this juncture, with draft outcomes appearing nearly predetermined, the Raptors’ priority should be to cultivate a strong foundation for next season. An encouraging sign in this regard is their defensive performance, which has excelled, ranking first in the league in defensive efficiency over the past ten games prior to Friday’s match.

Rajakovic praised the defensive efforts displayed against Charlotte, particularly praising Barnes for restricting Hornets forward Miles Bridges to a mere 20% shooting performance. “We produced some excellent defensive sequences,” Rajakovic stated. “Overall, it was a solid defensive outing.”

Poeltl elaborated on Rajakovic’s unique defensive methodology, emphasizing the need for continued practice to achieve proficiency. “The goal is to settle in on this style of play. Once we’re comfortable, we can create uncomfortable situations for opposing teams, which has started to manifest,” he explained. “We’re applying pressure effectively, leading to mistakes from opponents, and that energizes our offensive game.”

In the matchup against the Hornets, the Raptors executed nine steals while limiting their turnovers to just six. A highlight came in the fourth quarter when Jamal Shead forced a pivotal backcourt violation, sparking cheers from the Toronto bench.

Ultimately, the Raptors aim for more of these impactful plays as they look forward to a more meaningful next season. “We’re not finished by any means,” Poeltl remarked. “But it’s encouraging to see us putting together stretches of strong play. The next step is to maintain this against tougher competition and over an entire season, so we can see the positive results.”

Source
globalnews.ca