RAPTORS: MISTAKES BY THE LAKE

Talking points after the Raptors getting pumped 120-97 by the Cleveland Cavaliers:

• Mantra: Keep it in perspective. Losing to the LeBrons was almost a bygone conclusion since the best Raptors shooters, Andrea Bargnani and Anthony Parker, didn't play. It's the Raptors' first back-to-back losses in two months, but hold off until after Tuesday's game in Washington -- losing to the Downy-soft Wizards would be damning, although that's contigent on whether Bargnani is available. Until then, don't sweat it.
• Do sweat the shot chart: Way too much pull-up and spot-up stuff from outside with the shot clock running down. What happened to moving the ball around with alacrity, getting the ball to that guy who just seemed to materialize wide-open?
• The team defence, which was the master switch in beating the Lakers three weeks ago has also broken down. Sort of segues into the argument that Sam Mitchell might actually be holding the Raptors back, or not doing a good enough job to remember why they started winning.
• How is it they managed to play over their heads when Bosh and T.J. Ford were injured a few months ago, but lose two guys who weren't in the League last year and struggle?
• This could be an extended slide, but the Nets have the tougher remaining schedule (more games away than at home). Praise Allah, praise Buddha, praise God that the Nets blew an 11-point lead and lost in overtime to the Celtics.
• The Raptors got more prominent web play from the Toronto Star than the Leafs and were the lead story on Yahoo! Sports' NBA page. If not for this whole perspective thing, you might say that it figures: The Raptors start getting the star treatment and it all goes to hell, except for Juan Dixon's offence.

That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.