Raptors can’t complete sweep of mini-series against Bulls

It’s going to take another gear for the Raptors to sweep one of these mini two-game series.

For the third time already in this young season, the Raptors faced the same opponent in consecutive games and, for the third time, the Raptors could do no more than earn a split.

This one was a little different with the games taking place in two venues, but the result was the same, a win and a loss. On Monday night it was an 111-97 defeat in Chicago following a Raptors win the night before in Toronto against this same Bulls team.

Well, not quite the same as the Bulls welcomed Zach LaVine back and he was certainly a factor, giving the Bulls a game-high 30 after sitting out the first game of this mini-series to rest his surgically repaired knee following an off-season procedure.

Fred VanVleet had another strong game in his second game back since missing three contests with some lower back soreness.

VanVleet had a Raptors-high 27 points in a losing cause.

Toronto once again put lid on former teammate DeMar DeRozan, holding him to nine points, but had no answer for LaVine.

With the loss, the Raptors fell to 6-5 on the season.

The Raptors return home for a single game with Houston on Wednesday before heading back out on the road for a three-game trip that starts Friday in Oklahoma City.

FREDDIE IS READY

Before VanVleet missed three games with a bad back and before Pascal Siakam strained his groin, the big issue was finding enough touches to keep everyone sharp.

Well, that hasn’t been an issue for a few games now and with Siakam’s absence not expected to be short term, it won’t for a while.

VanVleet had already determined back in the first five games of the season that he would have to forego his scoring to a degree just to keep the peace. That was back in Miami when all the principals were healthy.

When VanVleet missed those three games, the likes of Siakam, Gary Trent Jr., Scottie Barnes and O.G. Anunoby flourished.

Now with one game under their belts without Siakam and with VanVleet running the show again, the ball is back in VanVleet’s hands and he’s calling his own number early and often.

When VanVleet was out the offence didn’t dip at all. Barnes and Siakam took over the point guard duties for the most part and were successful enough to the point that some of the fanbase was even questioning the need for VanVleet.

That, of course, was pure ridiculousness. VanVleet is so much more than just the guy who gets this offence in a rhythm or flow.

He’s the best pick-and-roll defender on the team and a way above average on-ball defender as well.

Beyond that, he is far and away the most vocal of the leaders on this team, to say nothing of his proven track record as a dependable three-point shooter.

So don’t expect to hear VanVleet talking about taking a step back in terms of his own scoring any time soon, or at least until Siakam is back and filling the box score again.

And maybe those insulting takes that this team can get along just fine without VanVleet will dry up as well.

COMING ON STRONGER

Anunoby is gobbling up steals these days with the same kind of ease that Drake attracts attention.

Wherever Anunoby is on the floor, those big mitts of his just seem pulled toward every opponent’s would-be pass, much like Drake just shows up and has every camera in the venue on him.

Don’t be fooled. One is much more talent and effort than the other.

While Anunoby isn’t exactly new to superior defence, the part of his game that is little newer is the volume of shots he’s getting up these days.

It’s only natural that those numbers would go up with key contributors like first VanVleet and now Siakam sidelined, but it’s what Anunoby is doing with the added opportunities.

In the past two games in particular, Anunoby has seen a ton of the basketball, going 11-for-21 in the loss in Dallas without VanVleet and missing Siakam for the final quarter.

Against Chicago on Sunday, Anunoby was 10-for-19. Over the two games combined from three he’s 6-for-11.

If Anunoby can maintain anything close to those kinds of numbers while Siakam remains out, the Raptors might just get through this injury without missing a beat.

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

The Raptors appear to have a plan for Khem Birch and his ailing knee.

Periodically and again on Monday night, the team gives Birch the night off.

With rookie Christian Koloko having made the jump he did already this season, the Raptors have the luxury of doing just that.

With Koloko starting in place of the injured Siakam and holding down the rim-protection duties as he did Sunday with six blocks, a guy like Birch can take the odd night off.

Precious Achiuwa is more than capable of handling the second-unit minutes.

The lone concern is foul trouble. Koloko is still learning the art of playing strong interior defence without fouling, although it’s better today than it was at the beginning of the season.

Achiuwa is also susceptible to foul trouble playing as aggressively as he does.

But as long as that pair spread those fouls out, the team can feel comfortable giving Birch the rest his chronic knee condition requires.

GOING COLD

That’s back-to-back games where Trent Jr. has failed to register more than one three-pointer. Toronto’s most consistent shooter through the first eight games of the year is just 7-for-23 in the past two games.

He’s still No. 2 in scoring on the team at 18. 4 points per game behind just Siakam, but without Siakam, the team is going to need Trent Jr.’s consistency more than ever.