Darko Rajakovic criticizes Raptors’ lack of intensity in surprising loss to Spurs
The Toronto Raptors faced a disappointing setback in San Antonio, falling to the Spurs 121-103 at the Frost Bank Center. Head coach Darko Rajakovic didn’t mince words when discussing the team’s performance, attributing the loss to a glaring lack of intensity right from the opening tip.
A Slow Start Haunts the Raptors
The Raptors found themselves in a deep hole early in the game, yielding a staggering 41 points in the first quarter alone. This initial onslaught forced them to chase the game for the remainder of the night. Rajakovic lamented the team’s sluggish start, emphasizing that the problems extended beyond just the first half.
“It was not just the second half; it was pretty much three and a half quarters,” he said following the game. “In the first five minutes, they scored 20 points, and they scored 41 in the first quarter. For whatever reason, we did not come with the intensity and attention to detail that you need when you play on the road against a very talented team. We did not do a good job with that part after that.”
Need for Improved Focus
RJ Barrett echoed Rajakovic’s sentiments, acknowledging the team’s struggles with poor starts as a factor contributing to their current three-game losing streak. Barrett noted the inconsistency in their beginning efforts, stating, “It’s really our first couple games together, but I feel like we can definitely give a little bit more effort in being ready. Yesterday we started off not too bad, but it’s been half the games where we started good and half where we didn’t. We just need to ensure we maintain focus and intensity from the beginning.”
Despite the discouraging start, the Raptors made a commendable effort to claw their way back into the game, narrowing a 22-point deficit to just eight in the fourth quarter. However, it ultimately proved insufficient to secure a victory.
“I thought that we really fought back,” Rajakovic reflected. “A couple of times we made it down to eight points. We had our chances there. It’s going to come down to discipline. We do play hard; we just have to play smarter as well. That’s going to be a big challenge for us.”
Finding Energy on the Road
Establishing energy at the start of games, especially on the road, presents a significant challenge in the NBA. For a Raptors squad that is still getting accustomed to its current starting lineup, this issue is magnified. As the season progresses and the players grow more comfortable with one another, the hope is that these early struggles will diminish.
The Raptors will look to rebound quickly when they host the Houston Rockets tomorrow evening at 6:30 p.m. ET, aiming to reignite their season and shake off the frustrations of this latest defeat.
