It was the match of fear and unease. The one who has seen the longest losing streak in the NBA move from Houston to Toronto. The Rockets have finally found the path to victory, which they had lost for 46 days, time to lose twenty times, including sixteen by more than ten points.
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It is now the Raptors who must find a way to stop a series of nine consecutive losses (including two against Detroit, the last of the Eastern Conference) which began on March 4.
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Monday night, the release of the Rockets was far from assured at the start of the last quarter, attacked with a possession gap (88-86). A 9-0 hit by a five without rank, players barely arrived (DJ Augustin, DJ Wilson) or mounted to the front over the disappointments (Kenyon Martin Jr, Jae’Sean Tate) then allowed to widen a gap ( 97-90, 40th) that Toronto has never been able to catch up with. Worse, the final score (117-99) shows that the Canadians gave up completely then.
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“Even if it means not defending, it would be better to score more than 99 points”, bitterly blurted out full-back Fred VanVleet, knowing Toronto doesn’t even have the excuse for injuries, with only winger OJ Anunoby out of the squad (Covid-19). A Canadian frustration summed up in the expulsion of De’Andre Bembry eight minutes from the end for showing his annoyance after a foul not whistled.
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Once deliverance arrived, John Wall, author of his first triple double in five years (19 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists), fell into the arms of coach Stephen Silas. “I told him that I will not let go no matter what, that a coach should not have to go through what he went through for his first experience, and that I was happy for him”, Wall explained. “Enter the locker room after this meeting and see all those smiling faces … it’s great”, conceded Silas, relieved.
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