Even In Victory The Raptors' Can't Avoid The Dark Cloud That Hangs Over Them

It was staring out like a ray of sunshine in an otherwise gloomy finish to the Raptors’ 2012-13 season. The Bulls were not at full strength and the Raptors jumped all over them with an 18-3 edge early. The Bulls would be battling from behind for the entire night. It wouldn’t be the Raptors if they didn’t go on the brink of blowing it. But they did manage to hang on for the win 101-98.

It was a pretty good night for most stats wise starting with Amir Johnson who had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Kyle Lowry also had a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists. This in addition to 20 points from DeMar DeRozan to lead the squad and Rudy gay chipped in with 19 points on the night.

Jonas Valanciunas who had been really on a tear of late didn’t have a fantastic night and it would get far worse at the very end of this game. Just 8 points with 5 fouls and only 3 rebounds on the evening but that was secondary as it would turn out.

Raptors centre Jonas Valanciunas sustained a flexion extension injury of his neck in the final seconds of Tuesday’s victory in Chicago. He was taken to Rush Presbyterian Hospital for precautionary testing. Test results were negative.

So, the one thing that had been the bright spot for the Raptors goes away in a rare road victory. It has been a struggle to maintain interest in this team and Jonas was a big reason to cling to for something to watch and be excited about as this season grinds to a conclusion. I don't think it takes being a doctor to think the Raptors will not likely risk Jonas' health in four games that mean very little. Thus one of the view reason left to pay attention to the Raptors is likely gone.

The Raptors will face the Bulls once again back at the ACC on Friday. They will host the Nets on Sunday, head to Atlanta on Tuesday and than wrap it up with Celtics at the ACC on Wednesday. It has been a season that started with so much hope only to have it met with the cold reality of a 4-19 to start. Now it is set to end with the one of the most optimistic pieces of the future most likely as a spectator. It seems almost fitting for this season.