Blowouts are rarely enjoyable, especially if you’re rooting for the losing team.
There are exceptions, however. Like when you’re rooting for that team solely for one of the reserve players, who rarely gets on the court for extended minutes.
The Toronto Raptors had little shot Monday against the Boston Celtics, but that gave Onalaska, Wis., native Matt Thomas an opportunity.
The 26-year-old scored 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting, going 2-for-4 from beyond the arc for the Raptors. Thomas also had four rebounds, two assists and two steals in 19 minutes, as the Raptors lost 111-89 to Boston in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
In the game, there was one small window where Thomas could have swung the momentum. Thomas nailed a 3 to pull Toronto within 89-66.
Teammate Norman Powell followed with a 3-pointer of his own with 9:51 remaining in the game.
On the next possession, Toronto’s Serge Ibaka blocked Kemba Walker. Thomas got the rebound and took off, leading the fast break down the middle of the court.
The former Onalaska Hilltopper pulled up at the top of the key, from 26 feet out and let it fly but it rimmed out. Had he made it, the Raptors would have been within 89-71, which seems like a ridiculous deficit for anyone except NBA fans.
This season, Thomas averaged 4.9 points as a rookie. His last extended minutes came last round of the playoffs, when the Raptors eliminated the Brooklyn Nets 150-122.
In that game, Thomas scored 12 of 5-for-6 shooting, going 2 of 3 from deep.
Thomas’ NBA career-high 22 points came Aug. 10 against the Milwaukee Bucks — of course. He was 9 of 17 from the field and 4-for-8 from beyond the arc.
It came in a string of Florida bubble games where the four-year starter from Iowa State got double-digit minutes. In those final three bubble games, Thomas averaged 13.3 points in 29.3 minutes a game.
TOP PHOTO: Toronto Raptors’ Matt Thomas (21) sinks a three pointer as Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens looks on during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)