Raps beat Magic. Quest for 50 is still on.
 | Tyler Hansbrough, PF 36 MIN | 7-12 FG | 2-3 FT | 7 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | PTS | 16 +/-Turns out he’s our most mobile big man, our best defender for hedging, and a nuanced finisher near the rim. Who would’ve thunk it? Next you’ll tell me he was cheering for Duke. It’s good to see some consistent defense at the PF now that gimpy Amir Johnson isn’t hobbling around on a bum ankle and a garbage bag full of excuses. |  |
 | Terrence Ross, SF 21 MIN | 3-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | PTS | 7 +/-I could give this guy a very specific grocery list containing only eggs, bread, and milk. He’d come back three hours later with a bag of sand and a spoon. He has a better chance of threading an actual thread in an actual needle than making a simple bounce pass. |  |
 | Jonas Valanciunas, C 28 MIN | 3-7 FG | 2-2 FT | 13 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 3 TO | PTS | 8 +/-Picks up fouls at a faster rate than Lou picks up side-hoes. Good rebounding since he was up tough against Vucevic, but man, he has the look of death when a second defender comes over to help on him. I blame 20% on him, 80% on coaching which has taught him nothing and stagnated his development. |  |
 | Kyle Lowry, PG 33 MIN | 4-12 FG | 1-1 FT | 8 REB | 7 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 4 TO | PTS | 10 +/-Came back from injury and had more energy than I thought he would. Got winded real quick and had to take a break, but Casey chose to “ease” him back in by playing 33 minutes! The shot looked OK, the defense not so much, and you’d have to think he’ll need more than four games to get back into even his average form. |  |
 | DeMar DeRozan, SG 37 MIN | 10-21 FG | 6-6 FT | 3 REB | 5 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | PTS | 29 +/-Great again, picking out people with good assists, taking higher percentage looks, but when the fourth quarter game, Orlando’s length and doubles suffocated him, and suddenly things weren’t so easy. He persevered and didn’t take the first available shot, choosing to pull out and probe, and then find a better shot. Was clutch in the face of adversity, including the game-winning find for Lou Williams. Again, I mentioned in my piece today, he’s the single point of failure for the Raptors offense. His play of late has left me hopeful that he’s finally “getting it”. | |
 | Patrick Patterson, PF 24 MIN | 3-9 FG | 0-0 FT | 5 REB | 3 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | PTS | 7 +/-Too many threes. Sad part is that he’s a better scorer when he takes two dribbles in and pulls up, since right now he’s aiming his threes. Don’t think I saw a single play call run for him, which is a little criminal. |  |
 | Chuck Hayes, C 8 MIN | 1-1 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | PTS | 2 +/-Amazing cameo in the fourth quarter when he fought on the glass, finished on the break, tied up a player, won a jump ball, and guaranteed his place in the ACC rafters. | |
 | Greivis Vasquez, PG 26 MIN | 3-9 FG | 3-3 FT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | PTS | 9 +/-I don’t have a huge problem with his play because we all know he’s a terrible defender, and that shouldn’t be a surprise. When Casey picks him in the lineup, he also assumes the responsibility of hiding him on defense, which he isn’t doing. Tonight, he didn’t get burned nearly as much, and did well to involve his teammates rather than taking the semi-contested look. |  |
 | Louis Williams, SG 27 MIN | 5-15 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | PTS | 13 +/-Not much play at PG today, and one thing I noticed is that people aren’t falling for his pump-fakes anymore. Came up with the goods on the game-winning three, for which Orlando left him open in the corner. |  |
 | Dwane Casey No James Johnson? Really, even just to keep him warm for the playoffs? Didn’t play JV in the fourth which resulted in the Magic getting some key offensive rebounds which led to scores. Did draw up a play which led to a Lou Williams three which won it. Played offensive/defense with Vasquez. | |
Five Things We Saw
- DeMar DeRozan is playing the best basketball of his career, but can that carry the Raptors to a playoff series win? Unlikely, but that unlikely turns into a maybe if the Raptors get half-decent performances from Lowry, Lou Williams, and the frontcourt.
- How about DeRozan’s three three days?
- The thing is, that you have to look at this game within the context of the playoffs. We barely beat Orlando, and will be facing better teams than this. Our defensive issues show no signs of fixing, especially our wings who 1) aren’t quick enough to defend out there, and 2) don’t have a help scheme which protects them when they do get blown-by.
- The combination of Hansbrough and JV works well, because Hansbrough is much better than trapping at the three-point line and getting back into rebounding position than the hobbled Amir Johnson. He’s not leaving JV alone to deal with the boards, and when you throw in Patterson into that lineup and all three are clicking, the scrambling defense doesn’t sound as crazy.
- We got two spots left in the RR 3-on-3 tournament – sign up your team now.
