Sigh of relief, everyone! After losing six games in a row (and nine of their last 11), the Toronto Raptors finally overcame their struggles and beat the New York Knicks on Wednesday, 113-106. The losing streak included some close, winnable games, but once the losses started piling up, the silver linings became difficult to appreciate.
Throughout the streak, the Raptors were hampered by roster deficiencies, poor execution, and injuries. The win against the Knicks may not have cured those ills, but it might’ve fixed something equally important: the vibes. While it’s difficult to quantify the exact effect of team vibes, any observant fan can tell when their team is clicking, and when they’re not.