Furious late-game comeback bid falls short as Raptors fall to Knicks

Article content

There was no miracle finish on this night, no sense of urgency almost from the opening tip and no reason for optimism for a Raptors team that suddenly looks lost and dispirited.

Article content

The team’s body language wasn’t good and for long stretches the team’s play wasn’t good, either.

Article content

What loomed as a season-defining six-game homestand has turned into a potential moment of reckoning following Friday night’s 112-108 loss to the visiting New York Knicks.

Something needs to be done, but exactly what must be done isn’t so easy to discern.

Article content

Much like Wednesday’s tip against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Raptors went into a frenzied pace in hopes of pulling off a comeback win.

They extended their defence and played with urgency.

Once again, the team’s effort wasn’t the issue.

Their defence was exceptional and the game was in reach following a made three-pointer with 49 seconds remaining.

It was a two-point game until Jalen Brunson completed a three-point play with 22.8 ticks left on the clock.

Article content

One of the evening’s disappointments, by far, was the play of Scottie Barnes, who didn’t have much energy.

He couldn’t buy a basket and scored but one point on a made free throw with 10 minutes left in the game.

Toronto’s starting backcourt of Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. did most of the heavy lifting on offence.

But defence is the team’s alleged hallmark and once the Raptors were slow on close outs the Knicks began to light it up.

All of a sudden, the home side was staring at a double-digit deficit.

New York was in the bonus with 5:17 left in the fourth quarter.

With 4:24 left in regulation, Barnes produced his first basket from the field on a put back.

RANDLE ON FIRE

Julius Randle found an early rhythm that would see the veteran forward keep shooting the rock and draining shots at will.

Article content

His jumper is pure and every shot that left his left hand seemed to find net in an electric and explosive opening 12 minutes that featured Randle scoring 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting.

He went 5-of-7 from distance.

New York led 30-27 after the first quarter.

The Raptors survived Randle’s run when the visitors turned the ball over six times leading to nine Toronto points.

The Raptors only yielded two points on two turnovers.

Rookie Christian Koloko was the first Raptor off the bench.

The only reserve on either team to score a point in the opening period was Chris Boucher, who buried a three-pointer.

Randle was limited to three points in the second quarter.

Not surprisingly, the Raptors forced the ball out of Randle’s hand by sending an extra defender on the catch.

Article content

At the break, the Knicks made seven more shots from distance than the Raptors, who trailed 57-47.

New York led by as many 17 points in the opening half.

MINI WOJ BOMB

ESPN hoops insider Adrian Wojnarowski is in a class of his own when it comes to breaking basketball news.

In fact, when something seismic goes public the term used most often is known as a Woj Bomb.

The name Joe Wieskamp can hardly fall into the category as a franchise-altering signing, but Wojnarowski is reporting, via Wieskamp’s representatives, that the Raptors will put pen to paper on a deal to add the shooter with teams now eligible to ink 10-day contracts.

On the surface, it makes sense given the Raptors need shooting and Wieskamp is known for making shots.

Article content

The rub is that Wieskamp’s small body of work in the NBA doesn’t inspire confidence.

Like anything, only time will tell if Wieskamp will be able to deliver.

What’s obvious is that he’ll have to defend to earn minutes.

Wieskamp, 23, was a second-round pick of the San Antonio Spurs in 2021.

He played in 29 games for the Spurs last year, averaging 2.1 points while shooting 32.6% from distance, not exactly earth-shattering figures.

His numbers were much better in the G League, but it’s not the NBA.

The Raptors do have a roster slot after the club waived Justin Champagnie last week following a loss to the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.

HOME ALONE

Mississauga native RJ Barrett was unavailable for the visiting Knicks after he lacerated his right index finger in an OT loss to the Mavs last week.

Article content

During a timeout early in the second quarter Friday, Barrett was feted as part of a Canada Basketball acknowledgment moment.

The kid is a staunch supporter of the program and figures to play a prominent role moving forward.

His dad, Rowan, once auditioned for the Raptors.

Rowan Barrett serves as GM of the national men’s team.

RJ revealed six stitches were required once his finger popped out, which caused the laceration.

Friday’s tip was the fifth consecutive game Barrett has missed.

“My own (left) hand went into my other hand and my finger bent backwards and popped out of place, which caused the laceration,’’ Barrett told reporters prior to tipoff.

“You always want to play and definitely at home. It’s kind of disappointing, but I’m still happy to be back.”

New York used the third overall pick in 2019 to select Barrett.

Fellow Duke teammate Zion Williamson went first, while Ja Morant went second.

[email protected]