DeMar DeRozan had a typical playoff performance in Game 1 against the Pacers (5-19 FG, 14 pts). On the surface the shot quality looked questionable at best but since we’re suckers for pain, we decided to bust or confirm whether that is in fact true – all his shots are below, and a brief analysis follows. I was a little surprised to find out that he got his shot blocked five times.
Make sure to check out the quick reaction, Casey’s crazy comments, some post-game news and notes, and of course, the post-game podcast.
- 1Q 11:41: Miss, 1 on 1 shot vs Paul George defending him well – not a good shot to start the game.
- 1Q 8:51: Miss, didn’t gauge where the defense was and got blocked from behind.
- 1Q 5:18: Miss, tried to take it at Turner who got an easy block – OK shot, but defense was right there, and Scola was open in the corner.
- 1Q 3:59: Miss, fadeaway turning the other way with George draped all over him – very high degree of difficulty.
- 1Q 1:14: Make, short pull-up on a turn – good shot, moved well, easy finish.
- 2Q 5:13: Miss, open corner three, he has to take this one.
- 2Q 3:17: Miss, funneled to the defense where Turner gets an easy block, should’v kicked it out.
- 2Q 2:43: Make, a good leaner.
- 3Q 11:30: Miss, turned right into the defense where George got a block – completely out of control.
- 3Q 7:50: Miss, contested three with George in his face – a very low percentage shot.
- 3Q 6:09: Miss, a decent shot similar to the leaner from earlier, just missed it.
- 3Q 4:21: Miss, easy block for the defense which was tracking him all along.
- 3Q 3:15: Miss, he has to take this shot since he’s so wide open, but maybe there’s a case you look elsewhere since you’re struggling.
- 3Q 1:28: Miss, George is contesting the shot but you can’t fault DeRozan for taking a somewhat open mid-range jumper.
- 3Q :35: Make, extremely high degree of difficulty, but whatever, it went in.
- 3Q :01: Miss, considering how the game is going, this was a good shot even though the defense had a hand up.
- 4Q 6:08: Make, driving layup, got it over the defense.
- 4Q 2:06: Miss, difficult shot over the outstretched defense.
It can’t get any worse, right? Right?
You can also notice how stagnant the Raptors offense becomes when DeRozan is driving. Nobody’s expecting to receive a pass, nobody’s moving, and everybody’s watching. Even if he goes 10-19 in this game, it still doesn’t bode well overall because his teammates are spectators when he plays this way.
Don’t miss the reaction podcast for Game 1: