Raptors forward Rudy Gay drives to the basket past the defence of Suns' Goran Dragic during the first half in Phoenix last night. (Reuters)
In a game between two teams a combined 33 games under .500, expectations were low — and they were met.
The Raptors were clearly the better of the two teams — and certainly the only one that played any defence — but there was little to like about this one from an entertainment standpoint.
The Raptors cruised to a 98-71 win with little if any resistance from the Suns.
Raptors head coach Dwane Casey may even sleep a little better knowing that at least for one night his team showed not only an ability to defend but just as importantly, a willingness to do so.
“That was one our most focussed efforts of the year defensively,” Casey said. “Forcing 29 turnovers even though we had 20 of our own, that was big time for us.”
It was only a game earlier that the Raptors allowed the Golden State Warriors to shoot 57%. It was a number that left Casey seething so the 38% the Suns put up was like a nice balm for the head coach.
