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OAKLAND — Sam Mitchell defended his player and Anthony Parker wasn't about to criticize his Toronto Raptors teammate.
Following a 117-106 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, both were asked about point guard T.J. Ford's penchant to dominate the ball in tight fourth quarters, which has been the case in the first two games, both losses, of this five-game West Coast trip.
The Raptors dug themselves a 20-point hole against the Warriors, yet came back and twice took a one-point lead in the fourth quarter.
However, the recipe for erasing the bulk of that disadvantage was not having Ford play 1-on-1. It involved moving the ball around and balanced scoring from Andrea Bargnani, Rasho Nesterovic, Parker and Ford.
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In the third quarter, Toronto scored 31 points and five different players contributed. In the fourth, Ford took 10 of the team's 21 shots. In the first half, Ford had 10 points and seven assists. In the second, he had 13 points and one assist.
Ford said without injured forward Chris Bosh, who would usually be the offensive focal point in the late stages of games, the Raptors are engaged in a who's-the-man learning process.
"We haven't practised, I'm pretty sure, in weeks, so you have different lineups," he said. "With C.B. being out, things are still a lot different and we're trying to work it out on the court. Because of the schedule, we haven't been able to practise and work out the kinks."
Ford has lifted 22 shots in the past two fourth quarters, making 10 and scoring a combined 27 points. He has made some circus shots, got to the free-throw line, and been the offensive catalyst.
But his success has also come with a price. Other players are not factoring in during those critical late possessions, and the ball is not moving.
Parker scored 21 points on Tuesday in a 117-108 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, but did not attempt a shot in the fourth. He had 20 going into the fourth against the Warriors, but scored just two more on two shots.
"When the ball moves around, I think it is better. You get better looks, people feel more involved, and from a defensive standpoint, it keeps you on your heels instead of being able to attack because you know what is coming," Parker said. "We just have to find the balance … [Ford] did some good things. He did a lot of good things. He got to the basket and got to the free-throw line, but I think we can make it a little bit easier for him."
Mitchell said Ford isn't solely to blame. He said Toronto's wing players occasionally get the ball but pass it right back to the point guards.
"We've got to get more movement, and we've got to get more people involved touching the basketball," Mitchell said. "But also, when we do give the ball up, the guys who catch it have got to make a play."
