Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead said a bigger offensive workload has cost him something on defense after he posted 20 points and 11 assists in an 118-102 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Yahoo Sports reported.
It was the first game of Shead's career with at least 20 points and 10 assists. He shot 6 of 17 from the field and made 4 of 10 3-pointers. Toronto was missing three starters: Scottie Barnes with left groin soreness, Immanuel Quickley with a right hamstring issue for a second straight game, and Kawhi Leonard, who has not played since Oct. 23 because of his left knee.
'The more minutes I've been playing, I've took off the gas a little bit on the defensive side,' Shead said after the game. He added that once the injured players return, he can go back to what he does best and guard the ball.
Shead, a 2024 second-round pick, started both games Quickley has missed. In 70 total minutes he has 30 points, 27 assists, four steals and only four turnovers, the report said. Through 10 games he is shooting 36 percent from the field and 27 percent from 3-point range, a scoring piece that has been a weakness, while his playmaking has given the offense more flow with stars out.
Yahoo Sports said the admission fits a young guard being asked to run the offense, score and defend at once.
The Raptors fell to 5-5. The story did not give a timetable for Barnes, Quickley or Leonard to return.
Sources: Yahoo Sports