Toronto visits the Lakers today at 3-2 and fifth in the East. By our count, injuries have cost the Raptors 225 minutes since opening night, 22nd most among 30 teams, and nearly all of today's gap belongs to Kawhi Leonard.
A Light Toll
A total of 225 minutes ranks Toronto 22nd of 30 for injury losses, so this is not one of the league's most battered rosters. The worst single day has been 32 minutes, and that is today's figure too: Leonard, who averages 32.1 minutes, and Nate Bittle are both out. Across the league, 1,359 minutes are missing today. The Raptors' problem is concentration rather than volume. Leonard has been listed out since October 27 with an estimated return of November 23, while Bittle's estimated return is November 2.
Who Fills the Gap
Over the last three games, Barrett is playing about 10 more minutes per game and Jamal Shead about 11 more. Barrett is averaging 19.4 points over five games, but he is hitting 22.7 percent of his threes, and Shead is at 12.5. Scottie Barnes scored 41 against the Magic on Friday and Toronto still lost 114-121. The defense has held up, with a 103.9 rating over five games, and the Lakers bring Luka Doncic, who is scoring 36.2 over five games. Five games is a small sample, but the extra workload is already visible.
Milestones in Waiting
Barrett is 6 threes short of 750 for his career. At his pace this season of 1.0 a game, our projection puts that about six games away. Toronto's five listed games through the November 9 home date against Memphis fall one short of that, so it is a mark for the week after. Kyle Anderson is 4 steals from 750, also about six games at his current pace. Leonard is a single block shy of 500, projected about three games away on last season's rate of 0.4 a game. That depends on his return, and the estimate is November 23. Until then Barrett's shooting is the number to watch.
When is Kawhi Leonard expected back for the Raptors?
His estimated return is November 23. He has been listed out since October 27, and he has played two games this season.
How close is RJ Barrett to 750 career threes?
He has 744, so he is 6 short. At his pace this season of 1.0 a game, our projection puts it about six games away.
