 | Luis Scola, PF 20 MIN | 3-8 FG | 0-2 3FG | 2-2 FT | 9 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 8 PTS | -9 +/- He should have taken advantage of a Hawks defense that did a terrible scouting report on him – leaving him open on several possessions. All in all, he did nearly have a quiet double-double in 20 minutes. |  |
 | DeMarre Carroll, SF 23 MIN | 2-8 FG | 0-3 3FG | 1-2 FT | 6 REB | 0 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 5 PTS | -8 +/- He worked hard. In the first half, had some trouble staying with Kyle Korver on defensive rotations, but he fixed that in the second half and pretty well got to his spots quickly and suffocated Korver. Raptors thankfully didn’t need his offense to fall tonight with others stepping up with big buckets. |  |
 | Bismack Biyombo, C 27 MIN | 3-4 FG | 0-0 3FG | 1-2 FT | 8 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 2 TO | 7 PTS | -4 +/- I granted him an A+ mid-way through the first quarter, but it dropped to A- because he gradually faded with the emergence of Bebe. It goes without saying, but Bismack is a wall on defense. Even when he gets blown-by, his athleticism allows him to block his victims from behind. My only criticism I had tonight of him was in the third quarter where he received the ball in the post with a fresh shot clock and opted to post-up and take a fadeaway in the paint. Not your game Bismack, but we forgive you. |  |
 | Kyle Lowry, PG 37 MIN | 9-17 FG | 2-7 3FG | 11-12 FT | 5 REB | 5 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 31 PTS | +10 +/- Phenomenal (you’re going to see this word more than once in this QR). The resurrection of Michael Jordan’s flu game? After a pretty inefficient first half, Lowry grew as the game went on, until he ultimately became possessed and went on a complete offensive blitz in the fourth quarter – scoring 22 points in the final frame. He got to the rim at will and finished in traffic. Put the team on his back, again, in typical superstar fashion. |  |
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 | DeMar DeRozan, SG 36 MIN | 7-16 FG | 1-1 3FG | 2-3 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 2 TO | 17 PTS | +9 +/- For large chunks in the first half, the only time the Raptors were running decent half-court sets on offense was when he was in the game, getting into the lane and scoring or dishing it out for open looks. |  |
 | Patrick Patterson, PF 23 MIN | 2-7 FG | 2-6 3FG | 0-0 FT | 7 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 6 PTS | +18 +/- Phenomenal. Guys, this is really great. Tonight, we saw the PatMan of last year – the real one, the one that is legitimately a scoring big who can stretch the floor, hit big shots, and play solid defense. Just one knock: In the third, he passed up an open-three and opted instead to get the ball into a well-guarded Bismack in the post. But I can live with that so long as he continues to be conducive overall. Welcome back Patrick, it’s been a while, old pal. |  |
 | Terrence Ross, SF 25 MIN | 3-7 FG | 1-4 3FG | 1-1 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 8 PTS | -1 +/- One of his better games this season. There is life in Terry after all. When Ross hits the shots he’s supposed to, the Raptors are a completely different team. | |
 | Lucas Nogueira, C 16 MIN | 2-2 FG | 0-0 3FG | 0-0 FT | 7 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 4 PTS | +22 +/- My initial impression of Bebe’s inclusion in this game was D-worthy. He looked like he didn’t belong on the court, especially trying to guard Al Horford and biting on everything. He grew, and it was really impressive. The defense was solid, and he actually has hands – catching ‘oops from Lowry. Biyombo, take note! | |
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 | Cory Joseph, PG 34 MIN | 5-10 FG | 0-2 3FG | 0-2 FT | 1 REB | 4 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 10 PTS | +13 +/- Phenomenal. Before Ross and Patterson woke up, CoJo was the only player off the bench getting anything going for the Raptors. As usual, his defense was great, and he fought through every screen – as far as I can remember anyway. | |
 | Dwane Casey It’s hard to fault him for the Raptors’ inability to score for large parts of this game. The looks weren’t bad, but the Raptors couldn’t hit anything. Most impressive was the way he has the defense set-up this season. On that end of the court, the Raptors are infinitely superior to last year. Oh, I almost forgot, his decision to go with Bebe in the fourth really paid off. | |
One Thing We Saw
- 1st half = day.
2nd half = night.
What changed? As noted above, PatMan and T-Ross woke up, Kyle Lowry turned on God-mode, and the Raptors started taking care of the basketball and put a halt to their ridiculous turnovers. Oh, they also moved the ball better too.
