Title: Raptors defence historically bad as losing streak hits nine
Date: December 26, 2024
Original Source: Sportsnet
Synopsis: In my latest at Sportsnet, I wrote about an historic Raptors loss in which they surrendered a franchise-record 155 points which is too many.
There was nothing that could get the Raptors going on defence in Memphis on Thursday.
Not a beautiful retro night to remind of an erstwhile rivalry. Not one of the league’s fastest and most dynamic scorers, Ja Morant, and his 7-foot-4 pick-and-roll partner, Zach Edey, who were ready to smash Toronto in the mouth from the opening tip. Not an ejection for their head coach, which barely moved the needle in energy level.
With six minutes to go, it wasn’t a question of if the Grizzlies would hang an embarrassing number on the Raptors. It was a question of if it would be a historically embarrassing number. And not even that could coerce much defensive execution.
155.
That’s the number the Grizzlies put up in a 155-126 victory, a new franchise record for points allowed in a game for Toronto.
Blake Murphy Sports Writing 