By Andy Charles

Talk about bad timing on the Raptors behalf – the worst possible moment to go on a four-game losing run (after Monday’s horror show in Houston) just as your main rival starts to show the signs of doing something similar.

Still without Chris Bosh, the Raptors were at their defensive worst against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday when they went down one of their heaviest defeats of the season, 119-99 against a team that looks like a serious playoff contender in the Western Conference.

How much better would a 34-24 record have looked after Boston succumbed to the Nets (THE NETS!!!) to give them only a sixth win in 59 games with their mix of veterans and bench fodder looking just about ready to implode.

But Kevin Durant, back to 25+ point scoring form, Jeff Green and company gave the Raptors a lesson in finishing as they became the latest team to shoot over 50% and cruise into a 24-point lead before some kind of late rally from Toronto as they ‘won’ the final 12 minutes.

Being so far behind gave coach Jay Triano the chance to use his bench a little more, with none of the starters playing more than 28 minutes, but only really Sonny Weems (again) took advantage while Marco Belinelli was the only Raptor to finish the game on the positive side in terms of score while on the court.

But shooting 43% as a team against an opponent as efficient as the Thunder was always going to be a recipe for trouble according to NBA Tips, and without Bosh the Raptors obviously lack presence in the middle despite winning the rebound battle against one of the smaller teams in the league.

Most disappointing had to be Hedo Turkoglu, after playing well in the defeats by Cleveland and Portland, as he came off court after only 20 minutes and seven points. This after several NBA Betting experts had backed him to have another influential game.

Worse would follow against the Rockets, with a 116-92 defeat, when the starting five again flopped and scored a paltry 31 points in limited action with Triano giving the bench more time and four players responding with double figure scores.

The Raptors singularly failed to guard Aaron Brooks and Kevin Martin, who both had 28 points, as the Rockets stormed into a 32-point lead before taking the final 12 minutes off as well. Simply sickening for anyone who thought there might be a chance of a division title!

And the run certainly shows just how important Bosh is to the team – no Bosh in the playoffs, no fun, no wins and an early summer break for the rest of the squad. Let’s just pray that doesn’t happen!

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