Raptors topple the Knicks in Montreal. Check the GIFs.
 | Amir Johnson, PF 26 MIN | 4-6 FG | 0-2 FT | 5 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 2 TO | 8 PTS | +17I’m tired of writing his line for this thing. It’s always the same. The guy rarely has a dip in form, and tonight he had clearly given help defense a special focus. Was used as the help defender on ‘Melo, and did well to recognize when the big comes out to help on the drive and slide underneath for the layup. Picked up a niggle where the trainer was examining him, but that’s just normal now. Quincy Acy did out-hustle him on occasion and he did get overpowered by Amare at times. |  | |||||||
 | Terrence Ross, SF 31 MIN | 2-6 FG | 1-1 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 6 PTS | +8Torched early on defense by ‘Melo and it affected his offensive game. Still, his confidence isn’t shaken like it might’ve last season, he continues to fire and tries to make the right play on offense. His ball-skills continue to impress, much more calmer and composed with the dribble in face-up situations. |  | |||||||
 | Jonas Valanciunas, C 21 MIN | 5-8 FG | 3-3 FT | 5 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 2 TO | 13 PTS | +13Quite anonymous for the most part, since the Raptors guards were hell-bent on pushing the tempo, often leaving him behind. Didn’t get as many one-on-one possessions on the block, but did up his effort in the second half where he demanded the ball a bit better. It must be tiring to get up for these meaningless games, especially after his summer. | | |||||||
 | Kyle Lowry, PG 28 MIN | 3-5 FG | 6-9 FT | 7 REB | 8 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 12 PTS | +8The one-man fastbreak. His effort-level is maximum and he pushed the ball at the Knicks in that third quarter to overcome the deficit. The guy is tenacious on defense and his lighter frame now allows him to do more jukes in transition and keep defenses even more so at their toes. He’s quickly expanding his offensive threat where defenses don’t know how to guard him. Also looks more pacey than last year, which is scary. Tonight, it impressed me how willing he was to take on the big after getting to the rim. |  | |||||||
 | DeMar DeRozan, SG 28 MIN | 6-13 FG | 3-5 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 4 TO | 15 PTS | +10Another solid outing where he worked well without the ball, ran the break beautifully (another one), and did enough one-on-one damage to get Raptors fans hopeful of another career-year from him. There’s not much else left to say about this guy, let’s just get the season going and see how he does in real games. I’m a little intrigued as to how good a fast-break player he can be if the Raptors decide to seriously push the tempo, which I think they should. He’s also showing better finishing near the rim, which I know he had come under criticism in the past. Those turnovers, though… | | |||||||
 | Tyler Hansbrough, PF 18 MIN | 1-3 FG | 2-2 FT | 5 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 4 PTS | +1I like this guy, man. That is all. He can also shoot. |  | |||||||
 | James Johnson, PF 17 MIN | 0-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 5 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 0 PTS | -7Guarded ‘Melo, guarded Amare, and guarded just about everyone else. His defense versatility is obvious, and I thought he made a difference when he came in (keep in mind the Raptors were very poor on D to start the game). Passed up a clean corner three, which was surprising, I’d like to see him take that shot every chance he gets. |  | |||||||
 | Patrick Patterson, PF 25 MIN | 1-6 FG | 3-3 FT | 7 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 5 PTS | -15Poor game, very disjointed. Passed up shots he should’ve taken and took shoots he should’ve passed up. His movement was still good, and the Raptors probably overlooked him in the offense too many times. Remember, he was late getting started in training camp and it shows. I’m not too worried, the guy is talented enough to make an impact and is equipped with the right work ethic. |  | |||||||
 | Lucas Nogueira, C 6 MIN | 0-0 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 0 PTS | -8The only non-rotation player to get meaningful minutes in the game, likely to get him all stretched after his injury lay off. Set some screens, didn’t get the ball back on the roll. Ran back and forth between FT lines with the look of a guy that’s figuring out what his teammates’ names are. | | |||||||
 | Greivis Vasquez, PG 20 MIN | 1-8 FG | 5-5 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 3 TO | 8 PTS | -5Had a poor shooting game which masks his effectiveness as the PG partnering with Lou Williams. I’m not going to shit on him like most people these days. Remember, his scoring responsibilities have reduced with Lou Williams there, and he was clearly pass-first tonight. Had a huge rebound and steal (check the Ross dunk, too) late to make sure Knicks were held off. | | |||||||
 | Louis Williams, SG 20 MIN | 5-10 FG | 2-4 FT | 1 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 12 PTS | -7Very good using the high screen, whether it be Bebe or Hansbrough, and slicing his way to the rim. One of his underrated qualities is off-the-ball movement, he does not sit still on the court when he doesn’t have the ball and forces the defense to shift. Got a nice jumper after the defense lost him. Was left wanting on defense a few times, especially in the second quarter but I’ll look past that since here’s here for his offense. |  | |||||||
 | Dwane Casey Chose to foul up three late. Good to see he’s got his coaching hat on. Extended the starters and we got a good feel of what the team’s all about. The early defense was shoddy but the halftime speech fixed that. Must’ve been comical for him to watch the Knicks run the triangle. | | |||||||
Five Things We Saw
- Raptors were deadly in screen ‘n roll situations today, our ball-handling is too good on the perimeter right now. We can easily get past our man using a solid screen, and from then on it’s all about Lowry and DeRozan keeping their composure.
- No Steimsma, Cherry, or Hamilton – the decision is apparently made, though Ujiri said that he’ll huddle with coaches after the game to confirm.
- There was a big defensive letup in that first half, the Raptors didn’t have an answer for ‘Melo and Casey took a couple timeouts to sort things out, and came out with a double-teaming strategy.
- Tons of GIFs here
- Preseason ends 7-1, and more importantly, team is looking gelled and NO INJURIES!
