Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse on team's recent struggles: 'We just have to get back to who we are'

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After starting the season at 15-4, the Toronto Raptors have dropped four of their last five games.

Their most recent loss, a 112-92 decision at the hands of Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers, is yet another cause for concern for the Toronto, as it now falls to 3-8 this season against teams that are at .500 or above.

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Following the game, head coach Nick Nurse spoke on the team's struggles, telling reporters "we're in a period where we're not playing very well for a week. It's strange because last (Sunday) against Utah we may have played the best half of basketball we've ever seen in this building." (Per TSN's Josh Lewenberg)

Nurse, of course, is referring to the masterful 77-point first half in the Raptors' 130-110 win over the Jazz which turned out to be the team's most recent home win as they have now dropped three straight at Scotiabank Arena. 

He continued, adding that "things can change quickly. We just have to get back to who we are."

Rhythm has been a trending topic throughout the Raptors' locker room as of late, as the team has been working to reestablish continuity while reincorporating players that missed time and dealing with the new injury to Fred VanVleet, who has now missed the team's last two games with a knee injury.

Kyle Lowry, who returned to action just over a week ago, echoed the sentiment of returning to who he is, saying "I've had two good games (since coming back) and the rest have been s––, to be honest. Once I get back to where I was at the beginning of the season, it'll be great, but right now I'm just trying to work my way back."


In the loss to the Clippers, Lowry was 1-for-8 from the field and 0-for-7 from deep as he finished with just six points in 35 minutes of action. The 33-year-old is averaging 14.8 points, 7.4 assists and 5.6 rebounds in the five games since returning from his injury while shooting 28.6% from the field and 20.5% from beyond the arc.

Lowry, Nurse and the Raptors will have an opportunity to get back to who they are on Saturday when they host the Brooklyn Nets at 7:30 ET on TSN.

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Gilbert McGregor is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.