RAPTORS REPORT CARD: Grading the team before Masai dismissed some pupils to New York

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Nobody knew Friday’s game in Boston would be the last these Raptors would play together. Like so often this season, the group got off to a terrible start and fell down big, only to fight back to give themselves a chance, before falling short. Boston won 120-118, despite missing top player Jayson Tatum, third-best player Kristaps Porzingis and more. The remaining Celtics fared well and it spoke to Boston’s depth and the talent of Jaylen Brown and Derrick White that they at times totally outclassed the Raptors, who remained winless against the Atlantic Division. Here’s the report card:

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A SCOTTIE BARNES

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Barnes hit seven three-pointers and attempted 15! Both easily career highs. His outside shot makes him a complete threat and one of the top young players in the NBA. That said, while he did a ton of things well and was again the best player in the game, shot selection was a bit of an issue at times. Without rim protection, there were points to be had inside against Boston.

A PASCAL SIAKAM

Siakam was aggressive and beat up on the Celtics all game. Considering nobody was playing any defence, the team needed all the scoring he provided. He also played 41 minutes as the Raptors fought hard to try to pull off the comeback. With another game following less than 24 hours later, it was the right call, but will hurt against Detroit.

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B DENNIS SCHRODER

Another good game for Shroder as the sixth man. Yes, he made a few bad decisions, looking off Siakam for inside buckets only hoist his own shots, but he still did a pretty good job offensively. He’s found his ideal role with this team. Now let’s see how he meshes with Immanuel Quickley.

B- OG ANUNOBY

In what would be his final game as a Raptor, Anunoby was hit and miss on defence. Better than he’s been in this disappointing month, but not up to his usual standards. Did he know something was up, hard to say. On offence Anunoby was a lot less involved than usual. He’ll be missed, but this was a strange season for him.

B- JALEN MCDANIELS

Darko Rajakovic was looking for something — anything — and McDaniels stepped up. He took way too many three-pointers (seven, hitting two of them) but also did a lot of things well and helped the Raptors come back. Is he a better or worse fit now with the new roster?

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C JAKOB POELTL

Poeltl’s stats looked OK, but he again played with too little force. A double-double is nice, but he shouldn’t be outworked and outclassed by Boston’s third-string centre. He was out hustled, lacked physicality and didn’t play up to his standards. This grade is probably generous.

C- CHRIS BOUCHER

Boucher got the call early again, but for one of the rare times this season, wasn’t able to contribute. He ended up beating out Precious Achiuwa for a job and now Achiuwa is playing for New York. It will be interesting to see how the new rotation looks. Toronto finally has some intriguing bench options.

D GARY TRENT JR.

After taking several steps forward, Trent turned in his worst outing in some time and his worst as a starter for sure. He couldn’t hit anything, didn’t defend much and didn’t find teammates the way he sometimes does. Too often he went looking for fouls and was nowhere close on defence because he was pulling himself up off the floor at the other end.

INC: MALACHI FLYNN, PRECIOUS ACHIUWA, OTTO PORTER JR.

THREE STARS

1 Scottie Barnes

2 Jaylen Brown

3 Pascal Siakam

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