Kyle Lowry described his game as “trash.”
The game after that, he shot 1-for-7 with two turnovers and no assists.
So the Raptors sat him.
Toronto went 1-2 without Lowry, beating the 76ers and losing to the Knicks and Cavaliers. It wasn’t a pretty stretch, but things weren’t going swimmingly otherwise.
Not long ago, the Raptors looked like a credible threat to win the Eastern Conference. Their defense had yet to click, but it seemed like only a matter of time until it matched last year’s success.
Since, the Hawks have proven their dominance, and Cleveland has found its stride. Toronto is now a longshot.
The Raptors have a shot though – if Lowry plays well. Their playoff hopes start with him, and they certainly hope his week off jumpstarts him.