 | L. Scola 22 MIN | 3-7 FG | 1-3 3FG | 3-4 FT | 12 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 10 PTS | -5 +/-Talk about a tale of 2 halves. Initially it looked like the Hawks were going to torch him and let’s not ignore the fact defensively Atlanta was having their way. BUT .. in the 2H both starting bigs began to utilize their benefit (SIZE) especially offensively and on the boards. His double-double earns high marks because it’s far more than we’ve grown to expect from him. |  |
 | J. Valanciunas 24 MIN | 3-5 FG | 0-0 3FG | 4-6 FT | 10 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 10 PTS | +1 +/-He had 7 boards & 5 points at the half and finished with a double-double of 10-10. However we know mobile bigs cause him fits, so his inability to defend them wasn’t shocking. He started the 2H utilizing his size making the Hawks pay in the paint. Overall his defense hasn’t looked great since the All-Star break, so I expected the Hawks to toast him like they did on Horford’s 3’s in the 1st, 3rd quarters or the wide open Horford lay-in at: 7:15 of 3Q. Though he still had issues defensively like Scola he was much more productive on the boards/offense in the 2H. He garners a slightly lower grade because I expect more of him offensively than I do of Scola. And if I could grant him one wish it would be to learn how to defend the pick and roll consistently. Apparently even in the two situations like the images below (and I included the video’s you can find within the copy underneath) some felt these Horford scoring plays were not JV’s responsibility. Suffice to say I disagree. |  |
 | K. Lowry 38 MIN | 6-14 FG | 1-8 3FG | 6-8 FT | 1 REB | 7 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 19 PTS | +4 +/-Literally caught myself gasping when they announced Lowry left the game 4 mins prior to 1H. Thankfully he returned having left just to stretch, but the fact a potential KL injury elicited my gasp speaks volumes. Heading into the game the PG match pitted Teague (top 5 driving PG) vs Lowry (11th). Lowry . Clearly the Raptors bulldog won the match. He kept his head despite garnering several fouls (which he did make) while the Hawks seemed to be getting a bit of leeway. He made his typical shot to push the Raptors ahead when the Hawks were surging and also took a key charge late in the game to seal the deal. |  |
 | D. DeRozan 35 MIN | 11-20 FG | 1-2 3FG | 7-9 FT | 5 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 4 TO | 30 PTS | +4 +/-The Hawks obvious game plan was to pressure both guards, but their on ball pressure of DeRozan resulted in copious turnovers (4)early. He was demonstratively upset by the whistle over a stretch where calls went in the Hawks favor on both ends (in essence keeping them in the game), but as the co-leader he needs to keep his head. As much as he was big for the Raptors scoring 30 points there are still segments of games he needs to move the ball more. Still hard to fault a player who captured almost a third of our scoring. | |
 | N. Powell 17 MIN | 1-3 FG | 0-1 3FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS | -5 +/-He brings energy, commitment to defense and offers intangibles. The best part is he doesn’t look out of place on the court. With another start it appears he’s won Casey over by playing his role and his presence should be a frequent site through the final 19 games. Though Korver hasn’t been as lethal from beyond the arc this season he still knows how to shed his cover simply by continually moving. He caught Powell on this at 8:00 of 1Q. Notably this is the main criticism of James Johnson (losing his man off the ball) . | |
 | P. Patterson 26 MIN | 5-9 FG | 2-4 3FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 12 PTS | +13 +/-His energy and activity stood out as soon as he hit the court. He scored on a put-back dunk off an offensive rebound (something he’s been doing almost every game lately) When his 3 pointer is falling as well like it was tonight he’s starter material. I felt he was the best Raptor (other than Lowry) on the court tonight. | |
 | T. Ross 26 MIN | 5-12 FG | 2-5 3FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 12 PTS | +13 +/-He didn’t stand out early which isn’t a bad thing b/c that means he was doing his job defensively. He also pitched in with timely baskets and was part of (IMO) the best defensive line of the reserves (Patterson, Biyombo, Joseph) and Lowry. If we can get 12 points plus boards/assists and double digit point differentials from Ross and Patterson nightly they’ve more than earned their keep. |  |
 | B. Biyombo 24 MIN | 1-5 FG | 0-0 3FG | 1-2 FT | 9 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 0 TO | 3 PTS | +7 +/-He hustles, gets no respect from the officials and still just puts his head down and competes. And that block at the end of game was HUGE! What’s not to love? | |
 | C. Joseph 29 MIN | 3-7 FG | 0-1 3FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 6 PTS | +8 +/-He didn’t have a great night scoring, but his timely offense at the end of the 4Q was pivotal. He excels at leading the 4 reserve unit plus Lowry. For the most part held Schroeder or Teague in check defensively. | |
 | Dwane CaseyThe fact he is utilizing “others” like Powell is showing his willingness to adapt. He did a great job tonight of player management knowing when to remove Scola & JV specifically and balancing their minutes with Bismack and Patterson. After several games where the Raptors had seemingly forgotten how to defend they held the Hawks under 100 while also scoring 100+ against the best post ASB defenders. He earns the credit for that result. | |
Five Things We Saw
- Heading into the game I told myself this game would tell me if it was time to remove my rose colored glasses OR if the Raptors were just rounding back into form post All-Star break (just like the Warriors, Thunder and Spurs who’ve all been producing below their pre ASB levels).To wit, the Raptors proved my instincts right as they delivered their best defensive effort since the win over the Cavaliers. Notably this Hawks squad ranks second on the season defensively, but have ranked first post ASB holding teams to 94.4 points per 100 possessions.
- We’ve seen a trend lately at the ACC of the officials tending to give all 50-50 calls to the opposition. Tonight it ended with the Raptors getting two additional trips to the free throw line but like the Rockets game their were some head scratchers. That said, the Hawks have been stellar defensively and the Raptors haven’t. I think once they showcase the top 10 defense they delivered pre ASB they’ll start getting those calls again.
- The Raptors held the Hawks to 42.7% from the field and 30.4% from deep. They move to 29-0 when they hold opponents under 100 points.
- Let’s see if the Raptors learned anything from the Pistons and Houston games. In both cases the opponent was playing on the second night of a back to back series and ended up taking it to the Raptors. The Heat arrive in Toronto in the same scenario (on second night of B2B). And then the team the Raptors need to beat for psychological purposes if nothing else come to town. (Bulls).
- Overall, nice win with compete on both ends of the floor and news Carroll went to see his doctor will hopefully lead to news his return is imminent. I’ve been saying I like the Hawks or Pacers match-up for a while and while I know their bigs are going to cause issues I think once Carroll returns our advantage is even greater than tonight in a small ball defensive line-up. It was the first game versus the Hawks this season that I started to see how Joseph, Lowry, DeRozan, Carroll and one of Patterson or Valanciunas could be deadly at closing time. Let’s just say I’m thinking that will be the edge the Raptors gain as they build for the playoffs, but I’m leaning more to utilizing Patterson or Biyombo as the fifth in this scenario.
