Raptors, Spurs look to rebound
'Disappointed' in Dallas
Last Updated: Monday, November 9, 2009 | 10:28 AM ET
CBC Sports
Toronto rookie DeMar DeRozan is adjusting to the NBA game in the early days of the season. (Ron Turenne/Getty Images)No team in the NBA has played more high-scoring games so far this season than the Toronto Raptors, but that could change on Monday against the stingy San Antonio Spurs.
The Raptors (3-3) end a three-game road trip in San Antonio and will look to finish 2-1 after their worst outing of the season on Saturday, when the Dallas Mavericks converted on 62 per cent of their shots to drub Toronto 129-101.
Chris Bosh led the way offensively with 26 points and 12 rebounds for Toronto, coming off a big win the previous night against New Orleans. Andrea Bargnani added 22, with Jose Calderon contributing 13 points with seven assists.
"I'm disappointed in the way that we played, but [Dallas] had more energy, they had more movement, they had better confidence shooting the basketball, and that's why you get a result like this," coach Jay Triano said.
While Calderon played well against the Mavericks and Jarrett Jack has been solid, backcourt depth remains a concern.
After an initial burst, rookie DeMar DeRozan has looked very much like a player who recently turned 20. DeRozan had just two points against Dallas and was in foul trouble. Meanwhile, veteran swingman Antoine Wright has been off with his shot the last two games, connecting on just three of 15 attempts.
Through six games, the Raptors have averaged 107 points scored and 108 allowed, putting them near the top in the NBA in both categories.
While the Spurs (2-3) have been struggling, they're allowing 98 points per game, putting them in the top half of the league in that category.
As well, Bosh has traditionally had his hands full with one of the best in the game, San Antonio big man Tim Duncan.
The Spurs dropped their second in a row on Friday, a 96-84 result in Portland. Richard Jefferson scored 19 points, with Duncan adding 16 to go along with eight rebounds.
The Spurs return to the friendly confines of AT&T Center, where they have won both outings this season by an average of 18 points.
Like the Raptors and many other NBA teams, putting together a consistent game has been a challenge in the early going.
"We committed too many mistakes from the get-go," said guard Manu Ginobili, who had 17 points and six assists. "It's too bad. It shouldn't be happening. We've really got to step out and try to play 48 minutes."
The Spurs will likely be without Tony Parker. The three-time all-star sprained his left ankle against the Blazers and expects to miss about a week.
The clubs split two games last season, with the home side winning each time.
Toronto will continue a tough stretch of the schedule this week. The Raptors return home for a game against Chicago on Wednesday, but then depart for a four-game trip that will take them to the western U.S.
With files from The Associated Press
