The Nets will have to settle for the fourth seed in the East as a big double-double from Rudy Gay and 36 points from DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors to victory on Sunday. Al Dannity gives his take.
This was what we’ve been waiting to see. That it came in a nothing game at the end of another lost season isn’t important. Finally fans in Toronto know what having Rudy Gay on the floor can do for the Raptors when everything goes right. Gay is a star but he doesn’t need to be the star to make a big impact. With 26 points and 10 rebounds, this was a big night for the mid-season acquisition from Memphis. Gay however didn’t steal the headlines. Instead it was that project fans have been hoping for more from for some time that came up big. DeMar DeRozan, who is having a career best year, put up 36 points along with 5 boards and to light up the Nets.
It’s worth pointing out that the visitors from Brooklyn had something to play for. With the third seed still on the table, the Nets could have set themselves up for a more favourable playoff seeding. This was a game they wanted to win but Toronto wouldn’t let them. With just eight men logging minutes as the Raps look to stay healthy entering the off-season, this Toronto team got the most out of its limited options.
Gay and DeRozan did most of the heavy lifting by Quincy Acy was solid off the bench. The rookie needs quality minutes and he got some on Sunday, scoring 7 points and pick up 4 rebounds and 2 assists in 22.43. There was no Terrence Ross or Jonas Valanciunas to push the tempo but the Raps got by without them. At the start of the season this unit looked like it would finish 10 games outside the playoffs, with two left they are just five games back on 8 seed Milwaukee. It’s by no means a success but it does point to the growth on the court.
Continuing that development heading into next season is vital. With a likely low lottery pick, unless the Raptors defy the odds wildly, the focus now will be on gaining depth. Whoever Toronto lands at the draft will be unlikely to have superstar potential. This is not a draft for that. Instead the Raptors need to look for a bench player who can fill a need as soon as he suits up. The 2012/2013 season isn’t over yet but Toronto’s priorities already lie in the future.
