Raptors not expecting DeRozan back on road trip that ends Jan. 4
It sounds as if the Toronto Raptors will be without DeMar DeRozan for at least two more weeks.
Sidelined since Nov. 28 with a torn left adductor longus tendon, DeRozan has already missed 13 games, more than he had missed in his entire five-year career entering this season. The East-leading Raptors have hung in fine without him, going 9-4, but they'd obviously prefer him back sooner than later.
It may be later, though. DeRozan is unlikely to return on the team's current road trip, which has five games remaining on it and wraps on Jan. 4. That would put DeRozan's earliest return date at Jan. 8 and would mean he's missed nearly a quarter of the season with the groin injury.
Despite losing DeRozan's 19.4 points and 2.6 assists each game, it's actually been on defense where the Raptors have missed him most. His absence has led to more minutes for Lou Williams and Greivis Vasquez, inferior defenders who ask too much of their on-court counterparts in terms of help, switching and rim protection.
| Raptors | O-Rtg | D-Rtg | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 16 | 110.7 | 100.9 | 9.8 |
| Last 13 | 113.0 | 107.8 | 5.2 |
That reality is backed up in the season-long numbers, as the Raptors have been four points per-100 possessions better on defense with DeRozan on the floor.
With the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls surging, the Raptors standing at 22-7 atop the East is tenuous. By the time DeRozan returns, the team could find themselves at No. 3 or No. 4 in the conference, where they were originally expected to land.