 | J. Thompson 15 MIN | 1-3 FG | 0-0 3FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS | +10 +/-Used sparingly, but I like his activity on the court especially on the defensive end. See point 1 in “Things we saw” as I’m rewarding the team for their milestone achievement. |  |
 | J. Valanciunas 31 MIN | 9-13 FG | 0-0 3FG | 1-2 FT | 9 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 3 TO | 19 PTS | +11 +/-Was on fire in the 1Q scoring 10 points and was active defensively. Of course they stopped getting him the ball in his scoreless 2Q (though it should be noted the Raptors were on fire from behind the arc during this stage). Overall he had an efficient, effective game and I thought it was one of his better defensive efforts. |  |
 | K. Lowry 40 MIN | 4-19 FG | 2-4 3FG | 7-8 FT | 6 REB | 11 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 5 TO | 17 PTS | +4 +/-The sleeve was obviously bothering him as his shots kept coming up short, both in the paint and from the field. He compensated for his 0-7 start by dishing assists, grabbing steals and rebounding. The ever wily Lowry drew 2 fouls on 3-point shots and he drained all 6 free throws (where he had been shooting 58.8% the last 4 games). That seemed to spark his shot as he hit 2 threes shortly after. He was 4 rebounds shy of a triple-double. Normally I’d mark him lower given his FG%, but how can I not reward Lowry with an A given he’s been the Raptors MVP of the season. |  |
 | D. DeRozan 37 MIN | 9-16 FG | 3-4 3FG | 5-6 FT | 5 REB | 6 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 26 PTS | +16 +/-The hard foul former Raptor Kris Humphries leveled on DeRozan looked worse than it apparently was. Fortunately he jumped back up without injury. His continued improvement of the 3-ball is encouraging. Efficient from the field, with goodies such as rebounds (5), assists (6) and 3 steals. | |
 | N. Powell 25 MIN | 3-6 FG | 2-3 3FG | 2-2 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 10 PTS | +4 +/-He wasn’t involved in the offense early, but the tandem of Powell and Ross held Korver scoreless from the field in the 1H. He made some rookie defensive mistakes early in the 2H like allowing Korver to get a wide open shot. Hey, he is still learning, and the ceiling looms high over his head. His offense (including a nifty pass to JV) was better in the 2H, including an 8 minute stretch where he scored 8 points. AND of course there was that crazy crossover dunk on Schroder! Highlighting how much respect Casey has for him, his adjustment to stop the Hawks 4Q run was inserting Powell – – and he responded. | |
 | P. Patterson 33 MIN | 3-7 FG | 2-4 3FG | 1-2 FT | 7 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 9 PTS | -2 +/-1H he posted 9 points and 5 rebounds intermixed with solid defense – what’s not to love about that! 2H he wasn’t the typical lock down defender we’ve come to know. That said, I’ll take 7 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal every game. |  |
 | T. Ross 23 MIN | 5-10 FG | 2-5 3FG | 1-2 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 13 PTS | +4 +/-Looked energized in his return and as noted he helped hold Korver in check in the 1H. His shot looked unaffected by his sore thumb. 3 big steals was a sign of his defensive activity. | |
 | B. Biyombo 17 MIN | 1-1 FG | 0-0 3FG | 5-6 FT | 6 REB | 0 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 7 PTS | -3 +/-$6,000 will go toward the Eastern Congo Initiative (I’m sure he was hoping for more). He gave Scott (a guy who historically has had some great games vs the Raps) fits in the paint. It wasn’t a typical Biyombo night, but the front court on a whole was stellar through the first 3Q’s | |
 | C. Joseph 19 MIN | 1-5 FG | 0-3 3FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS | -4 +/-Though I love his defense I wish he would initiate the offense quicker. A summer of working on his 3-point shot will offer the Raptors additional floor spacing and scoring options as teams currently tend to leave him wide open behind the arc. | |
 | Dwane CaseyThe team played a stellar first half, but notably came out flat to start the 3Q. Casey responded by calling a time-out once the Hawks cut the Raptors 13 point lead to 5. The squad responded with a 13-2 run. Other than a minor let up once the team was up by 20+ the Raptors showcased improved perimeter defense. Do we credit Casey or write it off as a poor shooting night for the Hawks? (let’s hope the former). | |
Five Things We Saw
- Yeah, I know the Raptors took their foot off the gas with the big lead.. BUT given this is the first 50 win season in franchise history I’m feeling overly generous with the grades. Therefore I am rewarding the best team in Toronto Raptors history!
- Just as the Bulls have the Raptors number the same might be said of the Raptors and Hawks. Following their first loss to the Rockets the Raptors got back on track with their win over the Hawks. After the double digit loss to the Thunder the win tonight helped re-focus the Raptors versus the second best post All-Star defensive squad. That said, the Hawks haven’t exactly fared well against the Eastern Conference top seeds: 3-8 vs. Cavaliers/Raptors/Heat/Celtics but 24-12 versus the rest of the conference.
- Several stats stand out with this win, the obvious one being the Toronto Raptors attaining their first 50-win season. Also of note, the Raptors have yet to lose 10 games at home (9).Also the Raptors forced 18 Hawk turnovers, got 14 steals, shot 45% from the field and 47.8% from three against the best post All-Star break defense. AND had TWENTY-SIX assists.
- Technically the second seed isn’t set in stone, but Atlanta (45-31) would have to win out (6 games) and hope the Raptors (50-24) don’’t win again (8 games remain) to usurp them.
- Note to Casey: REST Lowry now that you have the 50 wins and God speed to DeMarre Carroll’s amping up his workouts.
