Sunday, January 8



Norman Powell is slumping, yet he is starting. The Raptors swingman will not concede the first point.



“I really didn’t think I was in a slump,” Powell says after the Raptors fall 129-122 to the Rockets, their second dispiriting loss in as many nights. “It’s all about attempts. It’s all about playing time. I prepare the same way. I did my same routine. I go in the gym and get extra shots up. I get my work in and keep shooting it the same way. It’s going to eventually fall. It comes with consistent minutes and consistent playing time and knowing when your shots come in the flow of the game. … I just missed a couple shots here and there (over the last few weeks).”



Powell has a point, and not many Raptors fans would argue with it. Powell had hit just two of his previous 17 3-pointers coming into the game, but that cold streak unfolded over 12 games, nine of which he played 12 minutes or...