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[Toronto Raptors]

Toronto Raptors vs. Portland Trailblazers: Time to reverse the fourth quarter faux pas

Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images

Despite a double-digit lead in their last matchup, Toronto faltered in the final frame. Now, they have the opportunity to shore up the defence and take one back.

The Raptors will play host to Portland for their second and final matchup of the season tonight, the first of a back-to-back home stand. The last time out, the Blazers were able to fight back from a deficit and gain the lead in the final two minutes of the game. Despite the loss, the Raptors had five players in double figures.

By the looks of it, Barnes and Poeltl, two of the strongest performers in the first outing won’t be available tonight, so the onus will fall to the Raptors who touch the court to pick up the slack. It would be no surprise to anyone if RJ is one of the guys to step up. After resting on Tuesday against the Bulls, he will be looking to add to his 31-point performance on Sunday vs. Philadelphia. Hopefully he will continue to prove his scoring, passing, and defensive abilities tonight.

Shead has also been a pivotal player, averaging almost 10-3-5 in March, earning him a nomination for the East Conference Rookie of the Month. His ability to facilitate the offence has been solid so far this year, and he could also be a difference maker in this game.

The Blazers will also be missing a significant amount of talent, with many of the same players on the bench as the first game. This time, Anfernee Simons also may not be available, who led all scorers with 22 points. They will have to look to Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija who both managed 30+ point performances on Tuesday. A positive note we might expect is a little bit more of Dalano Banton. When Portland hosted the Raptors a couple weeks ago, Banton only saw 4 minutes of action. He posted a solid 11-7-5 against the Hawks on Tuesday though, laying the groundwork for an opportunity against his former team tonight.

The key to this matchup for the Raptors will be to force the Blazers to make mistakes and limit their own in the fourth quarter. Forcing 20 turnovers and drawing 20 fouls the last time, Toronto was able to gain extra possessions that helped them build their initial lead. Unfortunately, they developed their own bad habits, especially in the final frame. Shoring up their ball movement and limiting defensive lapses will prevent any opportunity for Portland to make their way back into this game.

While already eliminated from playoff contention, they will continue to use their final games of the season to build chemistry and provide opportunities for the rookies and bench to develop. With excellent performances from Shead, Walter, Mogbo, and Battle lately, it’s exciting to see how the future of the team continues to develop.

Where to Watch

On TSN at 7:30 pm ET.

Probable Starters

Toronto: RJ Barrett, Ja’Kobe Walter, Orlando Robinson, Jamal Shead, Ochai Agbaji

Portland: Donovan Clingan, Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija, Dalano Banton, Toumani Camara

Injury Report

Toronto: Scottie Barnes (Questionable: Joint contusion), Ulrich Chomche (Out: MCL tear), Gradey Dick (Out: Bone bruise), Brandon Ingram (Out: Ankle sprain), Jakob Poeltl (Out: Rest), Immanuel Quickley (Out: Rest), Jared Rhoden (Questionable: Joint sprain)

Portland: Deandre Ayton (Out: Calf strain), Sidy Cissoko (Out: Ankle sprain), Jerami Grant (Doubtful: Knee inflammation), Scoot Henderson (Out: Concussion protocol), Bryce McGowens (Out: Rib fracture), Anfernee Simons (Questionable: Forearm contusion), Robert Williams III (Out: Injury management).

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/4/3/...s-time-to-reverse-the-fourth-quarter-faux-pas

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors fall 112-103 to the Blazers as several Canadians shine

Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images

Sharpe, Barrett, Lawson, and Banton showed how bright the future is for Canadian basketball as Portland came away with the play-in-boosting victory.

It was 2010s night at Scotiabank Arena. However, a Canadian basketball game broke out.

The visiting Portland Trailblazers defeated the Toronto Raptors, 112-103, as a plethora of Canadians took over the scoreboard.

The Blazers were led by London native, Shaedon Sharpe, who broke the record for most points scored by a Canadian against the Raptors, with 36 points. Former Raptor, and Torontonian, Dalano Banton scored 21 points. Toronto was led by Mississauga native, RJ Barrett, who returned after resting in the previous game, with 18 points. AJ Lawson, who was born in Brampton, had 13 points off the bench.

Sharpe’s 36 points are the 3rd-highest in any game by a Canadian. The top two performances, 39 and 37 points, were both produced by Barrett, of course.

From the non-Canadian department, Deni Avdija had 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists for a Portland squad still fighting for a play-in spot in the West. Ochai Agbaji, who also missed the last game for rest, led all reserves with 15 points.

The Toronto Raptors continued their season-long tribute of the 30th anniversary by celebrating the 2010s. Terrence Ross was in attendance and received a loud ovation during a timeout. Leo Rautins and Paul Jones were also recognized with video tributes.

In the pre-game pressers, both Head Coaches, Chauncey Billups and Darko Rajakovic spoke about the importance of pressuring the ball early.

“It’s disruptive. If you ask any opposing player....nobody likes to play against that type of defense,” said Rajakovic. “It does not allow teams to get into their offensive sets easily.”

When asked about higher pickup points on the defensive end, Billups replied, “I love it. If you’re gonna be that young, why not play full court?”

Ball pressure was evident throughout the first quarter. Avdija picked off two passes by Jonathan Mogbo. Jamal Shead stole from Banton as he crossed halfcourt. After a Mogbo bucket, the Raptors applied full-court pressure on the inbounds pass, leading to a five-second violation.

Barrett blocked a layup attempt by Banton from behind, eventually leading to a Ja’Kobe Walter three-pointer. On the next possession, Barrett forced Banton into a turnover, leading to a Shead steal and Barrett putback layup off a Shead miss. The Toronto-on-Toronto crimes were rampant!

AND ONEEEE pic.twitter.com/hbQgs3uC6a

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 4, 2025​

While Toronto spread the scoring wealth with nine different Raptors scoring in the first quarter, almost all of Portland’s offense came from two players. Sharpe and Deni Avdija combined for 25 of Portland’s 29 first-quarter points.

Portland was without a starting lineup worth of talent as Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant, DeAndre Ayton, and Robert Williams were all inactive. For Toronto, Jakob Poeltl and Immanuel Quickley were given the night off, joining the injured Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick on the sidelines.

The Blazers entered the game only 3 games back of the Sacramento Kings for the final play-in spot in the West.

Picking up ballhandlers well beyond the three-point line was an ongoing theme. Lawson broke up a dribble handoff between Avdija and Donovan Clingan, leading to a breakaway dunk for AJ.

Barrett must’ve had five deflections in the first half. He poked another ball free that was scooped up by Barnes and led to a fastbreak layup for RJ.

Scottie Barnes has passed O.G. Anunoby for 11th on the Toronto Raptors’ all-time scoring list. pic.twitter.com/HRF5urvBYh

— Chris Walder (@WalderSports) April 4, 2025​

With both teams applying a ton of ball pressure, combined with the depleted lineups on both sides, the following tweet makes a whole lot of sense.

26 combined turnovers in the first half of Raptors-Blazers. There are 5.5 games left, in case you were wondering.

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 4, 2025​

Three of the four leading scorers from the first half were born in the Greater Toronto Area. Sharpe had 20 points. Barrett led Toronto with 12, while Lawson led all reserves with 9. Avdija did not score in the second quarter and finished the half with 14.

At halftime, the Raptors led the Blazers in transition points (+5), steals (+4), and points in the paint (+10). Yet, with only a 50-47 lead, it felt like Toronto left too much on the table.

Both teams exchanged the lead throughout the first few minutes of the second half. When Barnes and Barrett went to the bench, Portland took control of a tight game, turning a tie game into a 6-point advantage.

The Sharpe and Avdija show continued in the third quarter. This time, they brought Dalano Banton along for the ride. The trio outscored the Raptors 29-26 as Portland entered the final frame with an 83-76 lead.

Portland carried the momentum from the third quarter into the first few minutes of the fourth. With the Raptors unable to cut into Portland’s lead — and Scottie Barnes absent on both ends of the floor — Darko called timeout with 7:33 left and a 94-85 deficit. As has been the case for the last month, the core players (Barnes and Barrett tonight) took to the bench for the evening. Billups kept his starters on the floor, ensuring Toronto’s reserves couldn’t cut into Portland’s lead.

Another Deni masterclass ‍

26 PTS
15 REB
6 AST
2 STL
2 BLK pic.twitter.com/s9alU8ginX

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 4, 2025​

With the loss, Toronto “clinched” a worse record than the Blazers and can drop no further than 8th in the reverse standings. Considering the consistent losing by the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers, the only place the Raptors could conceivably move is from 7th to 8th. However, consecutive losses by Toronto combined with last night’s Spurs win over the Denver Nuggets means the Raptors’ Flagg-ic number is now only two. Any combination of two Raptors losses or Spurs wins will clinch 7th spot in the draft lottery standings for Toronto. With the 2nd game of a back-to-back against the 5th-place(!!) Detroit Pistons tomorrow and a couple more games still to play, the Raptors likely don’t need to wait until the final game of the season — in San Antonio — to finalize their spot in the draft lottery.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: enjoy these final games of the season. It may be a long time (ideally) before the Raptors are playing meaningless games again. The growth of the young players provides a glimpse into the bright future of this roster, while the losses provide hope for a huge talent to join the squad!

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/4/3/...tland-trailblazers-shaedon-sharpe-deni-avdija