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The 905 Drive (sorry) to a 108-92 win in Detroit

The Bruno/Suggs show bested a career night from Dahntay Jones

As the Raptors were owning the Hawks on route to their first 50-win season ever, I drew the short straw (or so I thought) to cover the 905 as Blake is wrestling gators in Florida. Seeing as this was the first time I’ve ever watched a D-League game, I was expecting to say “I could play with these guys” a lot. Obviously I didn’t, and actually enjoyed watching Bruno and Suggs hold it down for the 905.

The Raptors 905 controlled the tempo, flow, and spirit (??? …I have no idea why I said spirit, but I’m keeping it right here) of the game from the tip, and save a horrible 6-minute stretch out of half-time where their 12-point half-time lead turned into a 3-point deficit, they were able to finish the quarter on a 21-9 run that easily carried them to a 108-92 win in Detroit.

A game after a career high 31 points by Caboclo, Bruno followed it up with a solid line of 27pts 11 rebs 2ast 1st 3blk. This was coupled with energetic defense (man and help), disruption in the passing lanes, and a few amazing two-man game moments with Suggs who is my new man-crush; dude reminds me of the greatest college player in the history of the NCAA: Lawrence Moten.

Game notes (I only concentrated on Bruno…because…):

 

1st Quarter

  • Bruno makes the extra pass for better looks on three straight possessions
  • Bruno active on defense; dropping down to help on weakside, closes out three point shooter, moving around screens
  • Bruno bucket from above the elbow
  • Bruno with a transition three like he’s steph curry; no, sorry, he just looked natural popping in transition like that
  • Bruno didn’t close out his man in transition, and dude got to the rack; missed cause he’s terrible at basketballing so no harm
  • Bruno comes back from a poor defensive stand, and And-1’s the layup
  • could have forced a corner three, but made the right pass (that end in anything, but that’s not his fault)
  • played suffocating on-the-ball defense on some dude, forced him left, stayed with him the whole way, and blocked him at the basket
  • Bruno takes his man off the dribble (right to left), and banks in a floatery-fadey runner
  • Raptors end the 1st on 16-2 run, up 10: 26-16

2nd Quarter

  • Bruno vocal on defense, calls for switch off a low screen
  • Really like how Bruno relocates after feeding the entry pass into the post; opens up space for dude to operate…just good fundamental play
  • Fights through screen, with his long-ass arms flailing and disrupts dudes thought of putting up an ill-advised jumper
  • Bruno always running to the corners on the break, and always ready to let it fly (attention, footwork, and body positioning)
  • Dropped a bit on defense (weakside), and anticipated enough to force dude into an airball layup from 3 feet
  • Bruno makes dope rotation to help on defense; takes a shot to the face for his troubles, but forces dude to miss his first attempt
  • 51-39 at the half; 905 play solid D to end the half

3rd Quarter

  • Bullies Dahntay Jones below the rim and hits the turn around hook
  • Very aggressive offensively; hit or miss
  • Bruno playing with the ball in the corner, leads to a forced shot as the 24-second clock expires
  • Bruno is a tough cover for the Drive; he’s long, quick, and very aggressive off the dribble
  • Brutal start to the second half for the 905, came out flat and uninspired (Bhullar played a part in that; utterly unable to play any transition defense)
  • Bruno doesn’t hesitate on the catch and shoot from behind the arc #bucket
  • Just as quickly as the 905 lost that lead, they turn-around a 6-point deficit into a 6-point lead
  • Gives up the corner three for a better shot to Suggs (who nails it)
  • 76-67; 905 reverse a poor start to the half that saw them fall back 6 to a 9-point lead heading into the 4th

4th Quarter

  • Bruno picking up Dahntay on defense, and really makes him work for the bullshit foul call; clean defense and great block
  • Bruno with the drive and kick to Suggs for the three once he drew Suggs defender
  • Bruno doesn’t hesitate and pops a three, putting the 905 up 20 (97-77), and officially icing the game…I need to turn this off and catch the end of the Raptor game

That might work on any other 7 footer, but not on a 7’5 guy 😂#WeTheNorth

A video posted by Raptors 905 (@raptors905) on


 

Berry lobs it up to Kyser 🐰 #WeTheNorth

A video posted by Raptors 905 (@raptors905) on

Final Thoughts

  • Dahntay Jones is still alive and had a career night (NBA or NBDL) with 45 points; crazy he’s not sitting on the end of someone’s bench in the NBA…you’re telling me he couldnt contribute on the Sixers or Lakers? Shiiiiiiiiii
  • Sim Bhullar is the opposite of athletic, and not aggressive enough on the low block for a dude his size (couldn’t take advantage of the fact that he’s twice the size of the guy covering him); not even close. One huge thing he doesn’t do, is in the low-post: when he kicks out to the perimeter, he doesn’t re-establish low post position for the feedback; gotta jam on that, big boy. From the limited minutes I saw today, I’d be surprised if he gets back to the NBA.
  • Really dig Suggs game; he’s got a bit of the old-school style that Harden (he’s obviously not Harden) flexes. I like him a lot; and am rooting for him to make the NBA