Raptors' losing streak reaches eight in a row with no apparent end in sight

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The sad state of the Raptors was perfectly embodied in the five-player unit that would end the game’s opening quarter Wednesday night against visiting Sacramento.

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With 2:43 remaining in the first period, Jalen McDaniels entered the game for Kelly Olynyk.

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McDaniels joined Jontay Porter, Jordan Nwora, Javon Freeman-Liberty and Jahmi’us Ramsey on the floor, not exactly the epitome of a fearsome fivesome.

At this stage of the season, it’s no longer a case of who is playing but rather who is not and which, if any, of the many unheralded players asked to log minutes will be around when next season rolls around.

The latest unavailable player was starting point guard Immanuel Quickley, who is away from the team for a personal matter.

No timeline for a return was provided by head coach Darko Rajakovic, who once again had his work cut out for him as he tried to mix and match players into some semblance of a workable, cohesive unit.

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These are NBA players, at the end of the day, but the players on the opposite side have a much stronger resume.

To say the night was non-descript would be putting it mildly.

When Rajakovic went to his bench, fans at Scotiabank Arena didn’t even bother to react when one of Toronto’s reserves would be introduced.

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One of the few times fans had reason to cheer came early in the second quarter when members of Canada’s women’s team were introduced.

The team is bound for Paris and this summer’s Olympics.

The men also be in Paris to take part in the first Olympics since the 2000 Sydney Games.

Jordi Fernandez, a Kings assistant, serves as men’s head coach.

He huddled with the media prior to tipoff, insisting Canada’s draw, which was unveiled Tuesday and anointed as the Group Death, will only make the team better prepared for the medal round, a similar road the Fernandez-led squad forged at last summer’s FIBA World Cup when Canada earned a bronze medal after beating the United States in overtime.

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He would add that roster decisions will have to made, which speaks to Canada’s talent pool, which is far superior to what the Raptors were forced to trot on the court.

NBA players, which included Olynyk, who played for Canada last summer are eager to suit up this summer, said Fernandez, with the possibility of augmenting the roster with additional NBAers.

Fernandez mentioned the likes of Trey Lyles and Andrew Nembhard, but cautioned no decision has been made.

What played out on the court was a cautionary tale when injuries and personal issues converge to severely compromise a roster.

The night began with the Raptors missing their first three shots, looking completely unable no make stops and at times looking lost.

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Olynyk did give the Raptors their first lead mid-way through the first quarter when the Raptors made a stop and pushed the transition.

He would score on a reverse layup.

At least in the opening period the Raptors looked somewhat decent, even though they trailed 32-27 after 12 minutes.

The second quarter was an entirely different story.

Stops were elusive, turnovers became all too frequent as the Kings would take a 68-45 advantage into intermission as the final two minutes were some of the worst by the Raptors, which is saying a lot.

When teams lose, when players are being lost for whatever reason, Porter left the game with an illness after playing three minutes, encouraging signs need to emerge.

In the case of the Raptors, there were very few and far between.

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Gradey Dick missed all five of his first-half shots, including an 0-for-4 from distance.

He did look to facilitate more and would record three assists.

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None of that seemed to catch the attention of the fans in attendance as a smattering of boos could be heard when the Raptors made their way into their locker room at the break.

Truth be told, fans with any basketball IQ would acknowledge how depleted the Raptors have become and how ill-equipped they are to play at a level that puts themselves in a position to win a game.

There’s no point in adding more insult to injury, but only a handful players Rajakovic had at his disposal would make a competent NBA rotation.

There’s no questioning the effort, but there’s no size and little skill.

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Olynyk did his best to defend Domantas Sabonis.

Early in the third quarter, Olynyk picked up two quick fouls, his third and fourth of the game, and would soon make his way to the bench.

After his fourth, Harrison Barnes buried an open three-pointer to give the Kings a 78-48 lead.

At least Dick made a shot.

The kid continues to endure a rough stretch, but it’s not entirely his fault.

In the absence of legitimate players on Toronto’s roster, opponents can key on Dick, who doesn’t, at least at this stage of his development, match up well against physical defenders.

Sabonis, who has an abundance of physicality and talent, scored his 10th point of the game mid-way through the third to extend his double-double streak to 51 games.

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Mouhamadou Gueye was asked to guard Sabonis with Porter no longer available and Olynyk in foul trouble.

With Sacramento leading 99-65 after three quarters, the only drama involved how much of a beating the hapless Raptors would absorb.

In franchise history, the team’s worst defeat was by 46 points.

This season, the largest margin of defeat was 41.

On this night, the margin wasn’t as severe, but the harsh reality is the Raptors had no chance as the Kings left town with a pretty easy and rather routine, 123-89, win.

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