Raptors miss most free throws since 1997, including 2 with game on the line

The Toronto Raptors were eliminated from playoff contention with a 109-105 loss to the Chicago Bulls in the NBA play-in tournament on Wednesday, ending what has been a rollercoaster season in fitting fashion with yet another second-half collapse.

While there were a handful of reasons why the Raptors were sent packing by the Bulls, there is one aspect of their game that let them down in a huge way in the devastating loss: free throw shooting.

Toronto went 18-for-36 from the charity stripe — an abysmal 50 percent — to drop the heartbreaker to DeMar DeRozan and Chicago. The Raptors averaged a respectable 78.4 percent on free throws during the season, good enough for 17th in the NBA, but could not make one from the line when it mattered most.

Pascal Siakam, who led Toronto in scoring in the do-or-die game with 32 points on 13-for-22 shooting, crucially missed 2-of-3 free throws in the dying seconds of the game with a chance to tie the game at 107.

While the Raptors players are unlikely to admit it, fingers can be pointed at an unlikely source of distraction: DeRozan's 10-year-old daughter Diar.

Fans both in the arena and watching on TV noticed a shrill scream every time a Raptor stepped up to take a free throw on Wednesday, and soon deduced that it was Diar causing the ruckus courtside.

Diar quickly went viral for her antics, with many congratulating her for her contributions to the Bulls' huge win on the road.

DeRozan — who finished the night with 23 points and a few key baskets in the final quarter — was asked about his daughter's spirited performance after the game.

"I just saw it, it went viral," he said, shaking his head. "I haven't let it soak in yet. I kept hearing something during the game, while someone was taking free throws, and I thought, 'Dang, that's my daughter screaming?'"

The Bulls should get Diar DeRozan on the payroll as soon as possible if they intend on putting together a playoff run.