Bargnani isn’t expected to play vs. Pacers
Posted January 13, 2012 12:25 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Andrea Bargnani did not attend the Toronto Raptors’ shootaround Friday morning and is unlikely to play against the Indiana Pacers.
Raptors head coach Dwane Casey told local media on Friday that Bargnani will be day-to-day after leaving Wednesday’s game with a strained left calf.
“He’s our best player for sure,” point guard Jose Calderon said after Wednesday’s loss to Sacramento. “After they let us know he wasn’t coming out again, it was tough.”
The 26-year-old power forward, who leads the Raptors with 22.3 points per game, missed four games with a similar injury last season. It is unclear how much time Bargnani will be out for.
In Bargnani’s absence, DeMar DeRozan will need to step up and take control of the depleted Raptors’ offence.
DeRozan is in the midst of a slump as the third-year forward has only 8.8 points per game and has just hot 30. 9 per cent from the field in his last five games.
“DeMar and Andrea have the respect of the league,” Casey said Wednesday. “(DeMar) has to learn how to play against a man and a half, not only just his guy.”
Toronto has dropped two straight games and have a 3-7 record in their last 10 contests.
