Zurab Talakvadze

Sandro Mamukelashvili and the Raptors must heat up

Sandro Mamukelashvili is still having a very good season so far. Well, his stats may have faded a little bit in comparison of what he has been producing earlier in the season, but he is still solid and these Raptors do rely on him. 

Mamukelashvili is averaging 10.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists. He is still on par for career high in blocked shots (0.5) and steals (0.8) and his field goal percentage (51.7) is both career high and a season high for the Raptors. So, all in all, Sandro is delivering some goods and is clicking. 

As for the Raptors, the team has not been producing well. In the last 10 games, Toronto won only half of them and considering the battle for the Eastern Conference Top 6, this team needs to progress. Consider this: The Hawks (38:31) are playing some best basketball of the season and are currently on a 11 games win streak, that puts them just a few games behind the Raptors (39:29) in the standings. The Magic (38:31) are still there and the Heat (38:32) can improve a lot. 

Sandro and his team need to regroup. They need a better game from their undisputed superstar Scottie Barnes. They need Brandon Ingram to defend better. They need Jakob Poeltl to be healthier. And of course, they need defend better. So far, the Raptors are fading a little, but they still have some time for upgrade. 

So, what is the schedule for these cute Raptors? In the next five games they play at Denver, travel to Phoenix and go to face the weak Jazz away. They conclude the Western Conference trip with a game against the tired Clippers and after they return to Toronto as they are preparing for the visit of Pelicans. Could be a decisive stretch, where they need at least three wins. 

And Sandro should be the monster. Well, so far, has been a beast. He just needs some more touches and a better percentage fro the distance.