Worrisome issues loom after Toronto Raptors beat Miami Heat

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The Raptors returned from the Sunshine State to beat the Heat on Sunday and earn a split of their home-and-home set with Miami.

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With six more consecutive home dates on the docket — including the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night — the Raptors seem well-positioned to perhaps go on a run at Scotiabank Arena where they have fashioned a winning record (5-4) early in the season.

On the road, it’s been a different story with the Raptors managing just one win, against woeful New Orleans, in 12 tries.

A total of 21 games have been played amid plenty of impressions made from a young team that continues to learn and post wins when it executes properly at both ends of the court.

1. IT’S NEVER TOO LATE

Think of how solid the Raptors were in Sunday’s opening quarter, when zero turnovers were committed, but how they almost allowed the game to get away down the stretch, hanging on for a 119-116 win.

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Toronto caught a break when Jimmy Butler hurt his knee but it never found a way to keep Bam Adebayo off the glass on a night he would pull in 20 rebounds, two nights after he recorded a triple-double in the Heat’s 121-111 win at South Beach.

Scottie Barnes, who flirted with his second triple-double, and RJ Barrett, rightfully had the ball in their hands in the fourth quarter on Sunday. The problem, at times, was that neither exercised assertiveness.

On one possession, no one took ownership of the offence and that needs to be addressed.

Until Immanuel Quickley returns, the Raptors do have the luxury of having two players in Barnes and Barrett who have clearly shown an ability to get off their shot.

The worrisome aspect to the Raps’ win on Sunday was their inability to close out the game and they held their collective breath when Tyler Herro missed a potential three-pointer that would have tied the game on a look he normally buries.

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Given the handful of late-game sequences that have gone against the Raptors this season, perhaps it was fitting they would benefit from a missed shot. The averages, as they say, do even out.

Once again, late-game free throws would be missed, which allowed the Heat to remain in contention. On the night, the Raptors were 15-for-20 from the line.

A head-scratching moment occurred when Jakob Poeltl attempted a jump shot outside of his comfort level, which encompasses the two-foot area near the rim, perhaps even closer.

His form isn’t exactly clinical and there was no need to even attempt the jumper on an open look because opponents would live with the outcome.

But a win is a win and Sunday did allow both Barnes and Barrett to impose their will.

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Big picture, however, is that a ball-handler capable of making the right decisions in big moments must emerge. No one is suggesting Barnes and Barrett can’t be trusted in clutch situations, but the duo combined for eight of the team’s turnovers.

In the end, the Raptors were a plus-four in turnover scoring, a far cry from the minus-13 Friday night.

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2. MOGBO-MANIA

A compelling case can be made to give Jonathan Mogbo extended playing time and an extended role.
The kid, while raw, shows too much promise.

Unless something completely goes off the rails, Toronto has uncovered a draft-day gem in Mogbo, who was selected with the first pick in the second round.

When he’s square to the basket and his feet are settled, Mogbo has a nice form on his jumper from three-point range.
He’s not ready to start, but he is poised to handle more responsibility.

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Mogbo attempted two shots Sunday with one make, a three-pointer. He also had six assists and hauled down seven rebounds in just 13:32 of floor time.

When the Raptors’ injured players are cleared, there will be a potential problem in managing minutes and egos.

Mogbo isn’t about to rock the boat, but the Raptors need to find ways to get him more involved. This season, after all, is about development and internal growth and the kid embodies that approach.

Ja’Kobe Walter, Toronto’s first-round pick, made his starting debut last week in New Orleans, was in the starting unit for both games against the Heat and looked good.

It’s way too early, but it does raise the question when it comes to which player, Mogbo or Walter, will turn into the better player for the Raptors, who may have hit the jackpot in this year’s draft.

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3. DON’T FORGET GRADEY

The buzz around Gradey Dick has somewhat subsided in the wake of a calf injury he suffered in Cleveland to tip off its four-game road trip.

Injuries to teammates meant Dick was able to get off as many shots as possible and, with each make, his profile increased.

Until his setback against the Cavs, Dick was having the kind of break-out season every team gladly welcomes.

At Monday’s practice, Dick was able to participate in what was described by head coach Darko Rajakovic as a light non-contact setting.

At some point during Toronto’s home-friendly portion of the schedule, Dick will return to the lineup. And there’s no reason to believe the flair and freedom he was able to play with will disappear, but there is some question as to the number of attempts he’ll get.

The second year forward — who three times has topped the 30-point mark in a game this season — moves so well off the ball and has shown a fearlessness while attacking the basket and scoring in a variety of ways.

The way Barrett is seeing the floor and distributes, the way Barnes is passing the ball, Dick should be in a position to pick up where he left off prior to his injury.

A healthy Dick has turned the Raptors into a fun team that entertained while providing those all-important glimpses of the future.

Once he’s back, under no circumstances, should Dick have a back seat.

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