Killer Instinct

This is why the Raptors are going to be fighting for their lives when it comes to making the playoffs. Losing to the Spurs is nothing to be ashamed of but when their two leading stars, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan, are out of the lineup the Raptors had no excuse for not leaving San Antonio with a victory.

In a close 131-124 game, the Raptors didn't come out with the killer instinct and bury the Spurs from the get go. Instead, they allowed Manu and, former Raptor, Matt Bonner to go 10 for 16 from beyond the arc. This was absolutely disgusting and the entire Raptors organization should be ashamed of how they played.

Going over the points per quarter, the Raps traded bucket for bucket until falling apart in the 4th. Wouldn't the Raptors have a deeper bench since they weren't missing their top 2 stars? Guess my logic/reasoning doesn't always hold up.

If the Raptors want to be a playoff team, they need to find that killer instinct to dismantle and dominate teams that are weaker or short-handed and play a full 48min game. Until they find a way to put teams away they will be nothing more than a team fighting for the 8th and final playoff spot.