Jermaine O'Neal presented Jay Triano the game ball symbolic of the Canadian's first NBA win, but the Toronto Raptors' coach felt like slicing it up seven or eight ways.
Had the Raptors not shown signs of life last night, then severe doubts would've been raised on whether last week's coaching change went far enough. "I'm happy to get the win for the guys in the room who've had to put up with changes in the last week," Triano said, basking in the 101-88 win over the Indiana Pacers.
Toronto had dropped five straight and the Pacers were in town, a chance for Jermaine O'Neal to strut against his old team and to grade more of last summer's blockbuster trade that saw the Raps choose the Jose Calderon Highway over the T.J. Ford Overpass. Crisis averted for the moment, as Calderon bested Ford, Jason Kapono showed Triano what he's capable of as a starter and a week of installing a new system paid off. Kapono had a season-high and game-high 25 points.
"We talked about it on the bench in Cleveland, it sucks when you come to work and play hard and keep on goin' home with L's, especially losing by 20," Kapono said. "The pride of the team was down. The coach was in a tough spot, thrown into the fire, but he's got a good head on his shoulders.
"This was the first time everyone stayed on track, did what we were supposed to do and it turned into a win."
Kapono was one of the players whose name has been tossed around in trade rumours should the losing not get reversed. With Anthony Parker hobbled by a sprained ankle, Kapono could be back at shooting guard tomorrow night in New Jersey.
Parker, another name in the trade mix, ended his run of 103 straight games, while Jamario Moon reinstated himself in the starting lineup taking the slumping Andrea Bargnani's spot. Bargnani was 0-for-4 from the floor and had four rebounds in almost 23 minutes, called upon early when O'Neal had early foul trouble.
"I thought we were a little lethargic in Cleveland chasing the Basketball off of the glass," Triano said of making Bargnani a sub. "When the second group went in, Jamario seemed to be one of the guys tracking the ball, who wanted to go get it. For now, Andrea coming off the bench will be a plus for us.
Losing six would have been their longest streak since November of 2006, but after a spate of tough opponents that began on the road with the Lakers, Nuggets and Jazz, the Raptors beat the Central Division cellar dwellers to improve to 9-12.
Calderon played 38 minutes to Ford's 26 and most impressively, had 14 assists. Chris Bosh was breathing easier, too, nailing 21 points and 10 rebounds.
