Raptors continue to leave it all on the floor, but drop heartbreakers to Celtics & Pistons | Is the defense on the rise?

The Toronto Raptors fell to  the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics in a pair of heartbreakers over the weekend, made all the more heartbreaking by the fact that the shorthanded Raptors are leaving everything they can on the floor right now with Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and more out of the lineup. In Episode 1750, Sean Woodley goes solo to break down how the Raptors kept touch against both the Pistons and Celtics, and why their best efforts were ultimately undone by the razor thin margins they're operating with before  a look at the Raptors' steady improvements on the defensive end, RJ Barrett's masterful work as a pick-and-roll playmaker and more. Off the top, Sean digs into the Raptors doing all the right things against Boston and Detroit, from their late-game execution, to the performances of Jakob Poeltl, RJ Barrett and a very exhausted Gradey Dick, only to fall short the way undertalented teams often do. Next, Sean examines the incremental steps the Raptors' defense is taking as a unit, and some of the individual performances helping them level up from league-worst disaster to run-of-the-mill bad, bordering on average. Lastly, Sean runs through The Good (RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl crushing in the pick-and-roll), The Bad (Bruno Fernando's ankle sprain further straining the Raptors' already strained rotation) and The Hmmmm (did the Raptors just outline the blueprint for toppling the Celtics' ruthless math ball?) to close out the show.  Join us on the Locked On Raptors Discord server: https://discord.gg/cz3GDT46 Subscribe for FREE to the daily Locked On Raptors newsletter: https://newsletters.lockedonpodcasts.com/nba/raptorsYour favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Download the PrizePicks app today and use code LOCKEDONNBA and get $50 instantly when you play $5! You don't even need to win to receive the $50 bonus, it's guaranteed! Prizepicks. Run Your Game. Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA Chime Make your fall finances a little greener by working towards your financial goals with Chime. Open your account in 2 minutes at chime.com/NBA. Chime. Feels like progress. BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month.   Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Show Theme Music: Keep Fallin' / The Passion HiFi on SoundCloud