Reaction: Raptors 101, Pistons 87

by William Lou March 12, 2014

Follow @william_lou

Raptors toy with Pistons, then take away their lunch money.

Detroit Pistons

FinalRecap | Box Score

101

Toronto Raptors

	Amir Johnson, PF Shot Chart 33 MIN \| 8-14 FG \| 4-6 FT \| 9 REB \| 1 AST \| 2 STL \| 1 BLK \| 1 TO \| 20 PTS \| 0The pick-and-roll machine! Granted, the Pistons should be renamed the “pylons”, because it’s a far better appropriation of their efforts, but the Lowry and Johnson made them pay repeatedly. Couldn’t do much to slow Monroe in the post.
	Terrence Ross, SF Shot Chart 30 MIN \| 4-9 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 2 REB \| 2 AST \| 3 STL \| 0 BLK \| 2 TO \| 9 PTS \| 0We know he can spot up. We know that. That’s why it’s fun to see games like tonight, where the defensive pressure is a little lax, and the stakes are low. Ross showed a bit of creativity on offense, doing a bit of dribble penetration, and a drive here or there. That’s the next step in his development — can he develop a counter for when opponents run him off the line? Solid defense as always.
	Jonas Valanciunas, C Shot Chart 25 MIN \| 3-8 FG \| 2-2 FT \| 13 REB \| 1 AST \| 0 STL \| 2 BLK \| 2 TO \| 8 PTS \| 0The boxscore numbers look pale, but Jonas had one of his best games of the season. He out-worked everyone on the floor fighting for loose boards, and he was instrumental in helping the Raptors win the rebounding battle against one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA. Outplayed Drummond at his own game.
	Kyle Lowry, PG Shot Chart 34 MIN \| 6-13 FG \| 4-6 FT \| 4 REB \| 6 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 4 TO \| 19 PTS \| 0Got some extended rest in the fourth quarter, which was nice. His absence was noted, as Vasquez’ wildness was frustrating to watch at times. If there were a Raptors-themed bingo (copyright trademark), the free space would be Kyle Lowry taking a charge.
	DeMar DeRozan, SG Shot Chart 41 MIN \| 8-20 FG \| 8-9 FT \| 3 REB \| 3 AST \| 1 STL \| 0 BLK \| 0 TO \| 25 PTS \| 0Passive in the first half, settling for too many jumper and all that, but turned in on in the second-half. Scored 5 straight points in the fourth to put the game out-of-reach for the Pistons. I’m sorry, but KCP and Kyle Singler(ladies) aren’t going to stop DeMar when he drives.
	Tyler Hansbrough, PF Shot Chart 12 MIN \| 0-3 FG \| 1-2 FT \| 1 REB \| 0 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 3 TO \| 1 PTS \| 0Paired up with Chuck Hayes to form the most congested lane since every street in the Greater Toronto Area today (we got hit with 20 cm of snowfall). Didn’t do much in the way of defense, or offense, or basketball.
	Chuck Hayes, PF Shot Chart 18 MIN \| 0-3 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 8 REB \| 2 AST \| 2 STL \| 0 BLK \| 1 TO \| 0 PTS \| 0Why doesn’t he go by Charles? He looks like Barkley. See Hansbrough’s blurb.
	John Salmons, SF Shot Chart 19 MIN \| 4-7 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 5 REB \| 0 AST \| 1 STL \| 0 BLK \| 1 TO \| 9 PTS \| 0The Raptors had a day to rest between games, and it did Salmons wonders. His line-drive shots jumpers inched over the rim and his defense was solid. We need this guy come the playoffs, which terrifies me.
	Steve Novak, SF Shot Chart 8 MIN \| 1-2 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 1 REB \| 0 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 0 TO \| 3 PTS \| 0Casey knew better to play Novak extended minutes in the front-court against Detroit’s rebounding beasts. Sunk a three. All that good stuff.
	Greivis Vasquez, PG Shot Chart 19 MIN \| 3-9 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 8 REB \| 4 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 2 TO \| 7 PTS \| 0It’s the same story everytime with him. He’s still taking shots outside of the rhythm of the game, but it’s improving. He just had a game wherein his shots didn’t fall for him. No biggie.
	Nando de Colo, PG Shot Chart 1 MIN \| 0-0 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 0 REB \| 0 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 0 TO \| 0 PTS \| 0He played
	Dwane Casey Questionable rotations for tonight, but I think he was just trying to get his starters some rest for the impending playoffs. Understood that the Pistons couldn’t handle screens, so he ran a play involving multiple screens after every timeout. He wasn’t exactly playing chess against Gary Kasparov, but he still won the match.

Tags: detroit pistons, toronto raptors

FREEJV

washington is now in 6th place
- afrocarter
  
  Let’s see if the Raps can hold off the Bulls (and the Nets) for the 3 spot
  - FREEJV
    
    check our last 6 games and you have the answer. just gotta hang on to the 3rd until to the end of the month and we re good.
    - afrocarter
      
      The next two games will be key; both Memphis & Phoenix are desperately fighting for a playoff appearance. If Amir is having trouble containing Munroe, how well can we expect him to do against Randolph? Then having to chase Frye around on the perimeter? I love the kid, but I fear for him a bit.
      - FREEJV
        
        you put novak on frye. they both do the same thing
      - De Colo
        
        Frye wont be a problem, since when has Amir had trouble with a weak 1 dimensional player?
        
        afrocarter
        
        The Dragic-Frye pick & roll is statistically the most dangerous pick & roll in the game this season. And Amir isn’t exactly fond of chasing 4′s out to the 3-point line. I hope my concerns are all for nought, however.
        
        FREEJV
        
        ryan kelly L.O.L
        
        Ghotte
        
        Actually Raps got blown out of the gym last time they played Phoenix and I don’t think Frye even played – but I could be wrong about this…
        
        DDD
        
        That was the last game of the Rudy gay era tho…
afrocarter

Congratulations on the new job, Will! All the best.
- DDayLewis
  
  Thanks!
  - mike, prague
    
    Started with a blog on blogspot or where ever and now working for a top 3 sports portal in Canada not even a year later. Love it! Congrats Will!
    
    Quick question:
    How do you know Patterson doesn’t like 2Pat? … I prefer Patman or Patterson, just asking.
    
    Quick comment:
    I think Chuck deserves more than a D+. Though he didn’t fit too well into the system he did have 8 boards in 18 minutes. Good effort was there, I say B- but whatever. Good write, good read, good evening.
    - DDayLewis
      
      Thanks Mike! Appreciate that you’ve been reading since the “both teams played soft” days.
      
      Yeah I scored Hayes and Hansbrough a bit lower because I gave everyone else A’s.
      
      Patterson said in an interview that he doesn’t like it. I’ll link to it.
    - DDayLewis
      
      Here’s the link to the interview where he talks about “2Pat”
      
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNuqyW7B2Jc
      - DC
        
        Also see:
        
        https://twitter.com/pdpatt
  - Andrey
    
    Congrats Will
    - DDayLewis
      
      Thank you!
Balls deep

I am starting to get pissed off with the broadcasting rights of the rapters. I don’t get how tsn can put a random hockey game of vancouver vs Winnipeg or a culling game over the raptors. Same with sportsnet, they would rather have a Radom show of the nhl over the raps. As a man with basic cable it is so annoying to be forced to use live streaming to watch my beloved raps.
- afrocarter
  
  Both TSN and Sportsnet are televised nationally. The hard truth is that curling & preseason Blue Jays baseball gets better ratings than Raptors basketball. It seriously sucks, but all we can do is wait for the Raps to get better so that the country will take notice.
  - Ghotte
    
    Flawed, established broadcast measurement tools and criteria unfortunately. Old system. If ratings were about ‘engagement’ bball wouldn’t be lower than curling or sport-fishing.
    - Abused Raptors Fan
      
      Those metrics also fail to properly measure audience engagement in many sportscasts, as many tend to watch in groups or outside the home
- rizzy
  
  its all about ratings man. This is Canada, hockey is watched by more people than basketball
  - asifyouknow
    
    North of Toronto does anybody care about the raptors?
    - gman3
      
      As a yukoner, yes
      - tweed8
        
        Thank god, someone responded. There’s hope for basketball in Canada!
      - Dr. Scooby
        
        I just knew there was another Raps fan in the Yukon
    - Lucas
      
      Myself, my wife, and one of my best friends here in Ottawa are huge fans too. In fact, I’m making the trip down to catch a game for the first time in several years (it’s too depressing paying for the trip plus the tickets when the team sucks).
      
      Now hopefully we can beat the Grizzlies without Pat. That’s a huge loss for us right now, especially against a front-line like Memphis’.
      - Jerry Garcia
        
        we flew from Lethbridge to Vancouver just to watch a exhibition game..
        
        asifyouknow
        
        Great name! Huge Grateful Dead fan here…lol I assume that is not your real name and your a dead head…
    - noname
      
      i’m from newmarket and yes we care about the raptors
- MoPeteRules
  
  if you don’t wanna pay a lot more each month on your cable bill, here’s something i do:
  
  step 1: subscribe to NBA league pass (canada subscription works) (80 bucks)
  step 2: find a proxy server that changes your ip address to an international (i use proXPN) (30 dollars for 3 months)
  step 3: log into an international IP address
  step 4: load your beloved raptors game on league pass (steps 2 and 3 avoid the blackouts)
  step 5: disconnect from your proxy server to enjoy fast, hd-quality streamed raptors
  - plus
    
    I use unotelly and its great.
  - FREEJV
    
    aint nobody got time for that
  - RapLove
    
    use ballstreams.com its amazing nd no national blackouts
    - noname
      
      wait is it free?
  - DerekFoReel
    
    That’s a pretty fair deal. Will u get playoffs?
- http://www.idolizingclowns.com/ IdolizingClowns
  
  I couldn’t agree more. I understand that for Sportsnet and TSN it all boils down to advertising revenue and I can appreciate that however I would argue they have more to gain by airing the NBA more frequently. As it stands now they have a strong sense of what they are going to get from the NHL, curling etc., but the Raptors haven’t been this good or exciting in years. By giving them the prime channels it will allow them to grow the Raptor/NBA brand on a national level. If the Raptor brand has under performed in previous years this would be the year to try and squeeze a few extra dollars out of it and set things up for the future. On a national/global scale the NBA has far more room for growth in Canada than say, curling for example.
- ih8vasquez
  
  Preach it baby! Preach it!
- Feelin your pain
  
  I once sent my cable provider an email – polite email btw – because they were showing curling rather than the game – and it wasn’t any kind of important curling match. To my surprise the vp of marketing actually replied. He agreed with my frustration saying he to was a bball fan. But then he included the “numbers” – showing how poor the ratings were for bball and how curling – no matter how insignificant the match – destroyed the bball ratings. Welcome to great white north – if it’s on ice – we’ll watch it.
FREEJV

Drummond who? JV owned his ass once again.
rapierraptor

This game was a great example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. Between bankruptcy and that hapless basketball team I genuinely pity the citizens of Detroit.

p.s. Jonas played his ass off. Definitely his best game in weeks.
Stephen

I presume that 50% of the cost of Bosh’s house is for the new alarm system.
- DDayLewis
  
  50% of 12 million is a lot.
  - Philoveritas
    
    12 million isn’t even a lot these days, that’ll barely get you a penthouse condo on the Yonge/Bay corridor. Heck these guys pop $100,000 bottles of champagne at the club. Bosh probably paid for the house in cash he found in his couch cushions. If Landry Fields saves his pennies he could buy the place from Bosh in the offseason.
  - Stephen
    
    Well, when you’re losing 300K+ per robbery….
Philoveritas

Man Detroit is one bad team(and I mean bad in a bad way) That was one sloppy game. And wtf is with Miami losing to the Nets 3 times now…
De Colo

Raptors only 8 and a half back from the Heat. Here. They. Come
morgan c

JV should have played more. I’m the first guy to call him out when he’s shitty, but he was a beast tonight and was clearly feeling confident. DC has to feed that confidence. I really don’t get why he took him out of the game for Amir (who immediately sprained his ankle / knee for the seventeenth time) with 7 minutes left?!

Good win.
- De Colo
  
  He had 5 fouls
  - morgan c
    
    I know. So let him foul out. There is 7 minutes left in a game where they were up 14. It’s quite possible he wouldn’t have fouled in the final 6 or 7 minutes, and if he did, fine. He would have at least had a few more minutes to feel good about closing out the game.
    - De Colo
      
      Well if the game was well in hand and it was over, then he doesn’t need to be in the game. If he needs a few more minutes to feel good about himself then there’s a problem.
      - asifyouknow
        
        We all joke about this guy but Toronto needs another guard that can play both spots, the way DeMar and Kyle go to the bucket is very high risk and in the playoffs they are going to get pounded and could get hurt. It be good to get that guy playing some minutes…
        
        De Colo
        
        He played 25 minutes, they rotate big guys, always have, Amir is always going to play more big guy minutes then the others, not like Jonas played 10 minutes, then there’d be an argument, nobody knows behind the scenes, maybe he’s not quite ready to play big minutes.
        
        Abused Raptors Fan
        
        Pretty sure he was referencing your handle – De Colo
        
        asifyouknow
        
        yes I was…. thanks..
        
        Abused Raptors Fan
        
        Lol, np, I gotcha back
        
        De Colo
        
        Oh, my bad, well you can’t beat the mask, that’s for sure
      - morgan c
        
        He should be in a game that is well in hand over Lowry, Demar, and Amir (who were all in until less than one minute left). And ya, he does need to feel good about himself. Confidence clearly is a problem with him. He’s 21, so, ya….
- marcus
  
  fifth foul
- rapierraptor
  
  Couldn’t agree more. Casey needs to do a better job of recognizing moments when he has the chance to build Jonas’ confidence and seize them.
jjdynomite

It’s not “nepotism” to promote the excellent theScore app, Will, unless your father or older brother happens to be the new CEO of parent company Rogers. Which is strange since he’s a white dude from the UK. I think the term you meant was “conflict of interest” since RR is an ESPN affiliate.

BTW good write-up. And the reasons Dumars still has a job are as follows, from least to most important: 1.Drafting late lottery studs like Monroe and Drummond, 2. Bad Boy Pistons, and 3. 2003-2004. Free Darko!
- DDayLewis
  
  Nah no conflict. Blake’s worked at theScore all season.
  - jjdynomite
    
    So you and Blake are related? :-p
    - DDayLewis
      
      Well I’m Asian, and Blakeb is of Irish descent, so…yes?
      - DanM
        
        Will, by this point you’ve surely googled the definition of nepotism… right?
- mountio
  
  Small detail .. but theScore (the mobile app) was spun out into a new public company and is controlled by John Levy (former owner of Score Media) – the TV station was sold to Rogers (now SN 360). So, the nepotism in this case would be if Billy Lou was related to the Levy’s or someone else in power at theScore (maybe Blake qualifies … not sure??)
TDot Mix Productions

Another win .. Closer we get to the playoffs! Can’t wait! http://youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=AsPqWBvrRFY
- JonasBrutha
  
  Great video bud, cudos to you! But the song choice…argghh!
  - Steverino
    
    *kudos
- Abused Raptors Fan
  
  That a new video? Or just the same one you’ve been pushing on here for the last 2 months?
TDot Mix Productions

Anyone got a stat on number of raptors wins when Nando de colo plays?? MVP
- FREEJV
  
  82-0
DC

Patterson’s nickname should be Patman, acquired when he had to wear a mask. He likes that name.
Judge Judy

So the Score hires kids that sit to pee ? Maybe when your balls drop you will become something more then an intern .

Hey Flux did you see J V carry Monroe on his back up and down the court? Yea …boy
- rapierraptor
  
  Um, strange vitriol…
- DDayLewis
  
  But I’m not an intern. Why are you insulting me?
- morgan c
  
  Dude, you’re a dick. Congrats on that.
- ckh26
  
  I was trying to articulate to someone what an envious douchebag was. I can now point to you. Trying to build yourself up at the expense of ragging others. There it is Judge Judy = Envious Douchebag. You must be flunking out at Brock and have time on your hands.
  - Abused Raptors Fan
    
    Hey now, go easy on Brock. Us knuckle draggers have to go somewhere! Its bad enough people like him are out there to give us a bad name lol
- rapierraptor
  
  *than
- Onemanpeave
  
  Yea I don’t get it . That’s what the score needs are people that can stand on both sides of any issue and never stand for anything. Grey boring and always think they are right no matter how many sides they take. The Score really out did themselves lol
  - DDayLewis
    
    Yes they did. Thanks for shitting on me, and my employer for no reason, internet stranger who is on this website to consume the free-content I’ve spent my time into creating!
    - jjdynomite
      
      I think these douchebags are just saying this to get your goat, DDay, not from any sense of legitimate criticism or grievance. I’d ignore them, Will. Or we can all boo them like I boo-ed Gay. Boo!
      - DDayLewis
        
        It’s not really getting to me, I just don’t understand why someone would go out of their way to shit on me.
        
        Ogi
        
        Such is the internet
        
        Abused Raptors Fan
        
        Said the Toronto Raptors to FLUXLAND and all the other trolls following EVERY loss…
        
        asifyouknow
        
        Well you should be glad you got friends like al asifyouknow…lol
  - DDayLewis
    
    Wow, you used the same email and pretended to be two different people. Seriously? You went through that much effort just to hate on me?
    
    Here’s the evidence:
    
    http://imgur.com/TsHmSpR
    - Nilanka15
      
      LMAO! Busted!
  - Shamwow
    
    Banning people for critiquing writers that write to knowingly enrage the people that like this team is little Kid shit , but hey Ducksback Billy your the guy with the power to ban and I’m just the lowly fan. I wallow in the greatness of your power , you must be so proud to be such a douche , good luck with that .
  - onemanweave
    
    Nice handle. Maybe someone else will get blamed for your rant. Hope your bile backs up on you.
tonious35

In the 4th, we were playing 6 on 4 on defense because Josh Smith’s shot selection was like a Detroit traitor and an extra Raptor defender.
asifyouknow

This is one of those games where all one can say is , IT WAS THE PISTONS. could of won this with one hand behind the back.
Everyone did their job. Good game by all.
Can we agree on that?
Mr, Lou I really try to understand you, but I honestly have to take you less seriously than I have been, your criticism on Vaz continuous to grow without cause, he came in and was not shooting well but had command of the floor as a BACKUP PG needs to do, had 8 rebounds many of them at an “important rhythm of the game” (your quote) and hit a 3 pt to cap a great run that he engineer, I believe they went from 2 or 3 up to 9 or 10 up (I will look at the replay tomorrow)
Why do I defend this back-up guys so much , because all the Sacramento/Raptors are good players and you were losers before they got here, but now that you are winning many of you folks for some reason are always ripping Salmons and Vasquez and Hayes and at times Patterson.
Yet I see DeMar dribble the ball off his foot in many close games (losing) Lowry 0-8 to start a game (lots of times) and you folks give them a pass. If this bench leaves, you will go back to what you were before the trade unless of course the starters can all play 45 minutes for 80 plus games , we all know that is not going to happen.
It was not a great night for the backups but they did a good job. They will do better next time I’m sure.
I’m not all into that grade think but I’ll give you an F- if there is such a grade.. Nothing personal just a fair and balanced opinion.
- DDayLewis
  
  What part of this statement is untrue?
  
  It’s the same story everytime with his. He’s still taking shots outside
  of the rhythm of the game, but it’s improving. He just had a game
  wherein his shots didn’t fall for him. No biggie.
  - asifyouknow
    
    There is no truth or untruth in an opinion that is why is called an opinion ..I never said you were lying about anything, I just don’t agree with you…
    - DDayLewis
      
      Alright, fair enough.
      - Abused Raptors Fan
        
        I was told that I was “being silly” the other day after I said that there’s no other PG I’d rather have on the floor than Lowry in our late game situations. The guy just loves Vasquez. That’s all. Lol
        
        asifyouknow
        
        Again don’t make up your own reality. I never said that. Go back and read it again just like your grade school teacher told you back in the days…lol
- asifyouknow
  
  The rhythm of the game is very simple. If the SHOT is there take it! Example of not being in the rhythm of the game was vs the Nets where the 2 players passed up an open shot and them the third one put up an excuse me shot.. That is not being in the rhythm of the game..
  - Steverino
    
    Exactly right. Take what the defence gives you. If you’re within range and open, take it. Vasquez is a very good backup PG.
- gizzly73
  
  I agree I like the way Vas takes command out there, his energy and leadership. He is not a slow as he appears. Kind of guy who will find a way to win. Chuckie, on the other hand, is painful to watch, so slow and innefective just stands there on D and uses his weight How many career blocks does he have? On offense not even worth a comment
  - jjdynomite
    
    Hayes’ offense is hysterically bad, one has to admit. He’s good for at least one clanged point-blank lay-up a game.
    
    But his defense is actually brilliant. We’ve already seen him dish out his “old man game” around wide loads like Cousins and Pekovic and he did it again tonight against Detroit’s jumbo front line. All of them scored and rebounded poorer than normal.
    - gizzly73
      
      Brilliant? You have to be kidding. Have you ever seen him block a shot? The poor guy cant even jump.
      - Steverino
        
        Jumping has nothing to do with defence, and blocking shots is only one small part of defence.
        
        gizzly73
        
        A small part yes but he had the second worse + – on the Raps tonight and his season total will be among the worse. Part of good d is going for loose balls, and if there is a 50 50 ball Chuck aint gonna get it. The NBA game is incredibly fast and he looks out of place.
        
        Ghotte
        
        Hayes grabbed a couple offensive rebounds, boxed out, got 8 defensive rebounds in 18 minutes(!) and set proper screens. Not much more you can ask from your 11th or 12th man. Solid.
- Dabosskwasia
  
  Vasquez…….es que usted?!0.o
jakdripr

I hope the pistons fire dumars soon, dude hasn’t made a good decision in almost 10 years. I mean the pistons were still winning in 2007, but for me his incompetence first began with his infamous draft choice in 03 and it’s been downhill ever since. I mean how could someone who gets paid to evaluate talent not see that signing jsmooth was just an awful idea when you already had a packed front court?
Icarus Descending

Congrats on the new gig, I’ve always really enjoyed your pieces on RR.
- DDayLewis
  
  Thanks man! I’m not going nowhere. I’ll still be on RR all the time.
Haim not Feldman

On a positive, the Raps continue their trend of bouncing back after a tough loss. But one negative trend continues. They let an opponent back into the game after building a big lead. Come on Coach Casey, time for a teamwide azz chewing. You too DeMar, make us beliebers that you’re the captain (or at least co-captain) of this team. That loss at Golden State really stung, imagine if that happens during the playoffs.
Captain_Dog

If Paterson doesn’t like “2Pat” we should just call him Pat Pat…

It’s efficient, fun to say, and simple.
- jjdynomite
  
  “Pat Pat” harkens back to me milquetoasts like Pat Sajak, Pat Tabler and the androgynous Pat from Saturday Night Live, not a do-it-all warrior like Patterson. I can live with Pattman, especially since he likes it himself, as one can see from PP’s own Twitter feed.
  - Steverino
    
    Uh, sorry, but since when do people have a say in their own nickname? Call him whatever you damn well feel like. He doesn’t have to approve.
    - DC
      
      Yeah, who cares what he thinks – if he doesn’t like it, Toronto fans can boo him!
      We don’t care if he doesn’t resign here, do we?
Shadow Of Christ

Vasquez has a solid game, had 7 8 and 4, and you give him a C?? Quit hating on the man!
asifyouknow

Breaking news ..done deal Phil Jackson to the Knicks..
- FREEJV
  
  noone cares
- Nilanka15
  
  All Phil needs to do now is turn Felton into Jordan or Kobe….
gogewg

Greivis should get a higher grade he did good today
Eunys

Sorry Guys! I grew up in Europe so I dont get it; but is Curling a sport? I mean do you leave home thinking you going to practice a sport or you have something else in mind? I can t believe this goes on TV over the raptors
- Switch
  
  I’m from Canada and I don’t get it. I’d rather watch a live broadcast of a family playing Monopoly.
Eunys

Was for Miami for the first time of my life and those f***** nets won again….5th in the division! hopefully Kirlenko and Garnet comes back and they start loosing again
- noname
  
  its the conference by the way. they are 2nd in their division (right behind the raps)
durantula

id still say its more lazy than smart when demar fouls instead of trying to play d. i guess it beats doing nothing. but it also looks lame in comparison to lowry who hustles back and tries to draw charges or contest layups.

wing players kinda been playing lax perimeter d last couple games. no doubt brooklyn hit some tough 3s, but detroit? toronto did such a good job running golden state off the 3pt line for the most part, but the last couple games, terrence ross, demar, and to some extent salmons have been kinda slow closing. i guess the boston game you can chalk it up to pierce playing at the 4 matched up with amir who wasn’t doing too good getting out there.

i still get confused by casey and his inability to make adjustments. it wasn’t hard to see jennings was catching fire, and lowry was running himself ragged following the guy around the court…i would have liked to have seen ross, or maybe even landry off the bench to try to shut the guy down…ross sometimes is like a glove the way he can stifle other players…but that hasn’t been the case lately…even against minnesota he was getting turned inside out.

also the offense was anemic with vaskez running the point. every day he looks more and more like a two guard manu ginobli type

hayes came up with 8 boards, solid effort against drummond and monroe, no slouches on the boards themselves.

gonna be interesting to see how the bigs handle themselves against gasol and randolph…you’d be hard pressed to find a tougher front court to play against in the paint.
Hassan Mehmood Khan

salmons will be good for the playoffs

	Amir Johnson, PF Shot Chart 33 MIN \| 8-14 FG \| 4-6 FT \| 9 REB \| 1 AST \| 2 STL \| 1 BLK \| 1 TO \| 20 PTS \| 0The pick-and-roll machine! Granted, the Pistons should be renamed the “pylons”, because it’s a far better appropriation of their efforts, but the Lowry and Johnson made them pay repeatedly. Couldn’t do much to slow Monroe in the post.
	Terrence Ross, SF Shot Chart 30 MIN \| 4-9 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 2 REB \| 2 AST \| 3 STL \| 0 BLK \| 2 TO \| 9 PTS \| 0We know he can spot up. We know that. That’s why it’s fun to see games like tonight, where the defensive pressure is a little lax, and the stakes are low. Ross showed a bit of creativity on offense, doing a bit of dribble penetration, and a drive here or there. That’s the next step in his development — can he develop a counter for when opponents run him off the line? Solid defense as always.
	Jonas Valanciunas, C Shot Chart 25 MIN \| 3-8 FG \| 2-2 FT \| 13 REB \| 1 AST \| 0 STL \| 2 BLK \| 2 TO \| 8 PTS \| 0The boxscore numbers look pale, but Jonas had one of his best games of the season. He out-worked everyone on the floor fighting for loose boards, and he was instrumental in helping the Raptors win the rebounding battle against one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA. Outplayed Drummond at his own game.
	Kyle Lowry, PG Shot Chart 34 MIN \| 6-13 FG \| 4-6 FT \| 4 REB \| 6 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 4 TO \| 19 PTS \| 0Got some extended rest in the fourth quarter, which was nice. His absence was noted, as Vasquez’ wildness was frustrating to watch at times. If there were a Raptors-themed bingo (copyright trademark), the free space would be Kyle Lowry taking a charge.
	DeMar DeRozan, SG Shot Chart 41 MIN \| 8-20 FG \| 8-9 FT \| 3 REB \| 3 AST \| 1 STL \| 0 BLK \| 0 TO \| 25 PTS \| 0Passive in the first half, settling for too many jumper and all that, but turned in on in the second-half. Scored 5 straight points in the fourth to put the game out-of-reach for the Pistons. I’m sorry, but KCP and Kyle Singler(ladies) aren’t going to stop DeMar when he drives.
	Tyler Hansbrough, PF Shot Chart 12 MIN \| 0-3 FG \| 1-2 FT \| 1 REB \| 0 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 3 TO \| 1 PTS \| 0Paired up with Chuck Hayes to form the most congested lane since every street in the Greater Toronto Area today (we got hit with 20 cm of snowfall). Didn’t do much in the way of defense, or offense, or basketball.
	Chuck Hayes, PF Shot Chart 18 MIN \| 0-3 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 8 REB \| 2 AST \| 2 STL \| 0 BLK \| 1 TO \| 0 PTS \| 0Why doesn’t he go by Charles? He looks like Barkley. See Hansbrough’s blurb.
	John Salmons, SF Shot Chart 19 MIN \| 4-7 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 5 REB \| 0 AST \| 1 STL \| 0 BLK \| 1 TO \| 9 PTS \| 0The Raptors had a day to rest between games, and it did Salmons wonders. His line-drive shots jumpers inched over the rim and his defense was solid. We need this guy come the playoffs, which terrifies me.
	Steve Novak, SF Shot Chart 8 MIN \| 1-2 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 1 REB \| 0 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 0 TO \| 3 PTS \| 0Casey knew better to play Novak extended minutes in the front-court against Detroit’s rebounding beasts. Sunk a three. All that good stuff.
	Greivis Vasquez, PG Shot Chart 19 MIN \| 3-9 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 8 REB \| 4 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 2 TO \| 7 PTS \| 0It’s the same story everytime with him. He’s still taking shots outside of the rhythm of the game, but it’s improving. He just had a game wherein his shots didn’t fall for him. No biggie.
	Nando de Colo, PG Shot Chart 1 MIN \| 0-0 FG \| 0-0 FT \| 0 REB \| 0 AST \| 0 STL \| 0 BLK \| 0 TO \| 0 PTS \| 0He played
	Dwane Casey Questionable rotations for tonight, but I think he was just trying to get his starters some rest for the impending playoffs. Understood that the Pistons couldn’t handle screens, so he ran a play involving multiple screens after every timeout. He wasn’t exactly playing chess against Gary Kasparov, but he still won the match.

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