Raptors implode in Big Easy beatdown against Pelicans

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NEW ORLEANS — The Big Easy wasn’t easy for the Raptors on this particular trip.

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Pascal Siakam backed down Pelicans ace defender Herbert Jones and scored easily as the Raptors were handed one of the worst beatdowns of the season, aside from three consecutive possessions to start the game. This night was full of all kinds of difficulties. 126-108 losses.

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Siakam’s quick start was quickly forgotten as Pelicans’ Zion Williamson took advantage of two early fouls on OG Anunoby and went to town for any coverage the Raptors attempted to throw at him.

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He scored 11 points before sitting down with about two minutes left in the quarter and was routed.

The combination of Williamson’s brute force and amazing handle made him reach the rim with continuous ease.

When he finally sat down, the Pelicans moved to the outside, doing well on 13 of 29 attempts from long range.

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A potential comeback ended about 40 seconds into the third quarter when Fred VanVleet frowned and clapped in front of the umpire who gave the Raptors the ball in a turnover, resulting in his second technical whistle blowing. He was taken.

His first technical of the first half was actually claiming an out-of-bounds call that he thought should have led to Toronto’s possession.

The Raptors, who were down 31 at one point in the third quarter, cut the deficit to 11 with five minutes remaining.

It was as close to getting a comeback.

After coming off the bench for the second straight game, Gary Trent Jr. had the highest scoring of the season, scoring 35 points on 12-of-20 shooting. He was 6-11 from three-point range.

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Siakam was the next most dangerous at 23 this night. He was the only starter other than OG Anunoby to reach double figures in 12.

The Pelicans were led by Williamson’s 33 and eight rebounds, but perhaps the more surprising stat line was 26 from Trey Murphy.

Former Raptor Jonas Valanciunas also did his job with a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Head coach Nick Nurse said the starting lineup was in flux before the game. He brought Scotty Barnes back to the starting five, but kept Trent Jr. off the bench.

Barnes responded with just 4 points and 5 assists in 21 minutes in one of his most ineffective nights as a Raptor.

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Evolving line-up

Starting 5 change reduced from 2 to 1.

“I think I bought some time there,” Nurse said of the startling change in the starting line-up before the game. “Looking back, how did you feel about which players thought they could get back into a rhythm and play with the starting group and mixed it up?

“I think I’ll make one change tonight and then evaluate again.”

It was Barnes who returned to normal sport in the starting fives. Remaining in a reserve role despite him being the leading scorer for that second unit is Trent Jr.

Juancho Hernangomez came out of the starting five to make room for Barnes.

Thad Young, a crafty veteran who played himself in a prominent position during the Raptors’ hardest-hit three weeks with injury, remained at the starter.

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unique problem

With the Raptors seemingly out of their nightmare of injury and illness, the Pelicans seem to be reeling into their own little one.

CJ McCollum is nearly nine days away from battling a cold/flu like VanVleet, while Brandon Ingram is sidelined with a bruised left big toe.

That’s two important starters. For McCollum he has three games and for Ingram he has two so far.

looking ahead

The Raptors got the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, and that means a ton of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

What the Raptors don’t have to deal with is the combination of Ben Simmons and Yuta Watanabe, an old friend who’s been second in many games against Brooklyn.

Simmons will miss at least the next three games in Brooklyn with a calf injury, while Watanabe, the NBA’s top three-point shooter at the moment, is suffering from a hamstring injury.

mganter@postmedia.com