 | Amir Johnson, PF 30 MIN | 4-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 6 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 8 PTS | +6 +/- His stats don’t scream awesome but the team was shooting 50% and holding Wolves to 38% when he left the game (coupled with JV inside). He raised his compete level when Lowry left the game and made his biggest play at 1:27 of the 4Q getting a steal and throwing the ball ahead to Lou Will for an easy open court lay-in. Still can’t help but believe he needs to get some rest heading to the post season, so we get a fully healthy Amir for when it matters. |  |
 | Terrence Ross, SF 29 MIN | 6-9 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 15 PTS | -1 +/- Could it be we finally saw some emotion from Ross? He came out looking energetic, hit 2 three pointers and was active on defense. For me it was good to see him show some fight (maybe all the talk about Wiggins actually got to him!) Despite some miscues on defense we got a better overall compete level from him for the entire game. At the same time he was the worst plus/minus of all the starters and only one to register a negative (-1) |  |
 | Jonas Valanciunas, C 24 MIN | 7-9 FG | 1-2 FT | 15 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 2 TO | 15 PTS | +15 +/- It took until 4:52 of the first quarter for JV to miss a shot since the arrival of his son. I don’t usually jump all over Casey but why the hell was he sitting the rest of the first half? After 9 minutes he had 4 points, 7 rebounds, a block and was a plus +7. Same note as Amir re: the Raps were manning the paint, rebounding and defending and seemingly had the game under control until Casey took them both out. Apparently Casey got the memo at the half finally forcing Mitchell to adjust to him. |  |
 | Kyle Lowry, PG 26 MIN | 2-7 FG | 4-4 FT | 3 REB | 6 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 9 PTS | +8 +/- He seemed to want to replicate the start he had in Indy and was pushing the ball early. I don’t have issues with his first half as he only took 5 shots and was the guard who sat with JV/Amir when they were shooting 50% while holding Wolves to 38%. When he took that really hard fall mid 3Q and came up grimacing I held my breath and literally asked the basketball gods for it not to be serious as the next play he headed straight off the court. Reports were he suffered a back contusion. Raptors better hope it’s nothing serious because we aren’t going anywhere without him! While he played 26 minutes and could have a lower grade (a B when he left the game), this mark represents more of what he means to the team! |  |
 | DeMar DeRozan, SG 39 MIN | 4-14 FG | 12-12 FT | 7 REB | 4 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 21 PTS | +10 +/- Started the game aggressively driving the paint and got 7 of his first half points from the line. HOWEVER his 1 of 5 shooting doesn’t come close to defining his poor shot selection while teammates stood open watching him! He did get 4 assists in the first half BUT that number could have been much higher. When Lowry left the game he seemed to get more aggressive which wasn’t necessarily a good thing given his FG’s were 3-11 by the 7:30 mark of the 4Q. As much as he was terrible from the field (4 of 14) he hit a huge 2-pointer with Wiggins in his grill late in 4Q, got to the line 12 times, had 7 rebounds and manned up as the captain in the absence of Lowry. |  |
 | Tyler Hansbrough, PF 8 MIN | 1-2 FG | 2-2 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 4 PTS | -4 +/- Brings the energy ever time he hits the floor, yet he was part of the crew that allowed the Wolves back into this game. |  |
 | James Johnson, PF 5 MIN | 0-1 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 0 PTS | -4 +/- Not sure exactly what’s up with JJ. Has he lost confidence? Is he disenchanted with his playing time? Just feels like one big game from him could turn things around. To that end, he NEEDS minutes to do that. | |
 | Patrick Patterson, PF 30 MIN | 5-9 FG | 1-2 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 2 TO | 14 PTS | -3 +/- From my perspective he was the best player on the court the first half scoring 10 points with an assist, 2 rebounds, a block and a steal. He was also noticeably the most active defensively. Wasn’t nearly as effective in the second half, however he does look to be coming back around from his sore knee given that first half |  |
 | Greivis Vasquez, PG 25 MIN | 4-10 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 5 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 11 PTS | -4 +/- I’m torn about Gravy given he was terrible defensively with a minus -6 at the half and had a careless turnover. While I wish he would pass more I can’t help but admire his confidence and swag. Nothing ever seems to get to him and he did TRY to stay in front of Martin. In fact it was GV who actually stopped KM by closing out on him forcing a travel/TO. With Lowry out he took over the PG duties managing 11 points and 5 assists. That has to count for something. | |
 | Louis Williams, SG 25 MIN | 2-12 FG | 3-5 FT | 0 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 8 PTS | +2 +/- First half we got the cold Lou Will where he went 1 of 5, however unlike DeRozan he seemed to force fewer shots grabbing 2 assists and registering a plus +2 His cold shooting continued in the 2H and punctuated the fact the Raptors end up in much closer games when his shot isn’t falling combined with inconsistent defensive efforts. Arguably his best play of the game came with the shot clock ticking down preciously close to a 24 second violation when he drove the ball to the paint, but recognizing his cold touch passed out to an open Vasquez who nailed the three and put the last nail in the Wolves’ coffin. |  |
 | Dwane Casey He must have ripped the team a new one at half as they came out much more focused to start the second half. Still the fact he only played JV 9 minutes with the start he had is unconscionable! FINALLY got the memo 2H choosing to FORCE Sam Mitchell and the Wolves to adjust to having JV on the floor!EDITED TO ADD: Apparently JV ASKED to come out as he is ailing???, but he looked spry to finish the game so not sure about the validity of that statement. |  |
Five Things We Saw
- If you thought Sam Mitchell wouldn’t have the Wolves pumped up to play the Raptors despite an injury ravaged bench you don’t remember our previous coach. My best memories of him were his disdain for the media and him jumping all over the court when a then young Raptors squad also playing with a depleted bench beat (I think) the Clippers on the road. These young Wolves may only have 14 wins but they’ve played Memphis hard on a couple of occasions, lost by a mere 3 points to GSW, come back from 20 down to beat Washington by 20 and also beat the Blazers.
- Every time I watch Wiggins I think of a pogo stick. While he seems to have hit the rookie wall you can see the promise he shows, specifically the fact he appears to let the game come to him. Tonight he was a little uncharacteristically forcing a few things (home town nerves?). Comparing his season numbers to fifth year DeRozan he shots better from the field (43.5% to 40.%) has the same rebound ave (4.3) and is far superior from behind the arc (32.7% to 21.3%). If you want a true example of what Wiggins can become (and you have NBA League Pass) go watch the Cavaliers vs Wolves game from January 31st. Pay specific attention to how frustrated LeBron James gets by his inability to stop AW and the no quit of Wiggins who refused to back down despite giving up probably 60 lbs to LBJ.
- The Raptors have owned this match-up: the Wolves haven’t won in Toronto since January 21st, 2004
- As much as this wasn’t a pretty game and the Raptors played down to their competition the vets (Amir, DeMar and Lou Will) made smart plays at the end of the 4Q to ensure the win. Of note, they got the win which is the important thing, but they’ll need to step up (and hope Lowry can play Friday) on the defensive end for a full 48 if they plan to beat Chicago.
That’s the difference between a young squad and one who’ve played together for a while. These Wolves will only get better once they learn how to close out games.
- As much as many will extol on how we should have hammered Wiggins and company even great teams like San Antonio play down to their competition, losing to the Knicks last night. Though the Raptors need to build some better defensive habits for a full 48 the fact they have 3 wins in the past 4 games is a little more encouraging.
