Raptors just finished best road trip in franchise history

LOS ANGELES—The Raptors simply completed their finest highway journey in franchise historical past to set themselves as much as make a late cost to who is aware of the place within the Jap Convention playoff race.

The style during which they did it, the best way they dealt with a horrid stretch proper earlier than, speaks volumes about what this workforce is and what it may be.

“We’re simply resilient,” Siakam stated after the second win in Los Angeles.

In keeping with Elias Sports activities Bureau, it’s the primary time a Raptors workforce has ever gained 5 highway video games on the identical journey, consecutive or in any other case. It’s added some vital juice to the ultimate 13 video games of the common season because the Raptors now have their sights set on spots thought inconceivable possibly a month in the past.

Starting a stretch of 10 dwelling video games within the closing 13 video games, the Raptors can be significantly examined. However given the best way issues went to complete the western highway journey, there’s each cause for them to be assured.

They’re in a tie with Cleveland for sixth within the East as we speak, solely two video games away from Chicago for fifth and, considerably amazingly, has them inside 2 ½ video games — two within the loss column — from fourth-place Boston.

Provided that the Raptors play in Chicago on Monday, at dwelling in opposition to Cleveland on Thursday and a house date with Boston on March 28, enjoyable occasions are doubtless forward.

After beginning the post-all-star portion of the season — with ugly losses in Charlotte and Atlanta after which defeats by the hands of East minnows Detroit and Orlando — the turnaround’s been fairly one thing.

“It took us a few video games to get again into the stream of issues however simply pleased with the best way that the fellows responded,” VanVleet stated after Wednesday’s 103-100 win over the Clippers.

“, wins in each totally different form of manner, totally different guys stepping up every evening, can’t take any of those with no consideration.

“It’s fairly laborious to win constantly on this league.”

What the journey has reaffirmed to the Raptors is that staying in video games, and enjoying although robust occasions has tangible advantages. They’re gifted however they aren’t overwhelming and must work to win. Issues don’t come naturally fairly often however being mentally robust in troublesome occasions pays off.

“We simply wish to combat each single evening it doesn’t matter what’s taking place, (whether or not) the percentages are in opposition to us or regardless of the case could be,” Siakam stated.

“One man down, or two males, simply proceed to combat, play collectively as a workforce and attempt to get a win. I feel we did an amazing job this highway journey of staying collectively, following the sport plan, and it doesn’t matter what … we simply keep collectively.”

It’s fairly potential — doubtless, even — that the Raptors will stumble a number of occasions within the closing 13 video games that begins with a troublesome stretch of three video games in 4 nights. The Raptors play the Lakers at dwelling Friday however have a bear of journey to Philadelphia and Chicago for video games Sunday and Monday which have taken on better significance due to the 5-0 finish to the highway journey.

It’s been one thing to observe this group mature at an important time of the season, for followers and for gamers.

“I feel we’ve obtained a number of guys which can be studying tips on how to win and we have now a number of guys that know tips on how to win, and mixing these two collectively, it’s been enjoyable this yr,” VanVleet stated.

“I like the place we’re, and our group is certainly rising and we have now so much to be enthusiastic about.”