Quick Reaction: Nuggets 108, Raptors 106

Something’s up with the shot here. Will thinks the mechanics have been tweaked. I need to take a closer look. He didn’t look rushed or hesitant, really, so maybe it was just the release change that was tricking me. Anyway, the usual from Patterson – the 3FG% dictates his offensive contribution, and he’s a bit susceptible on the boards against bigger fours. So steady, though.

Was a complete non-entity on offense but quietly showed improvement with his defensive IQ. Sealed off a drive on the baseline in the first half that necessitated a tough pass that was picked off, and blocked a three getting faced up in the second half. Was just generally solid and aware on defense far more than he was lost. He’s still far away, of course, but the IQ improving is a solid sign.

OK, this is a weird one. Let’s put it this way: JV went 20-and-9 in 19 minutes and it didn’t feel like he played particularly well, nor does he look to be in peak condition. When you can put those numbers up and not look at your best, that’s a good sign. And he really picked it up during a 3rd-quarter stint with what will be the second unit, which should be a giant flashing sign to Casey for how to use Valanciunas in the regular season. I’m giving him an A- for volume, even if there were instances that warranted complaint.

Understandably quiet night with DeRozan going, all I’ll say is that Lowry can feel free to ease up just a bit on the hustle plays in the preseason, for safety. Please. Like DeRozan, you know what to expect here.

Somehow still showing new tricks, including an impossible-to-guard Euro into a runner. Would like to see him use his seals in the post to dish a bit more – the Raptors debuted a wrinkle to leverage that last game but went away from it here – but overall, no complaints. It was DeRozan.

I don’t want to get carried away on a night a guy went 0/6, but goodness, Siakam is impressing. His defensive rotations are solid, he’s contesting the 3-point line in recovery exceptionally well, he drove from the perimeter and dropped off to Nogueira, and he showed another flash of passing vision from the block. His screens are also very snug. This is about as encouraging a 0-point game as you’ll find.

I don’t even know what to say. He’s aggressive. His pull-up is smooth. His range is deep. He’s finding Valanciunas on the move. He’s attacking defensive seams in the pick-and-roll. He has confidence. He’s even defending well on the ball (though he gave up on one play a bit early and got back cut after stopping Will Barton). I mean…is this Terrence Ross now? Two incredible performances to start the preseason.

Didn’t get much run but helped key a late push for the comeback, working actively on the defensive end on the glass and nearly getting off a wild buzzer-beater attempt on the closing offensive rebound. He can contribute in a lot of small ways, but it’d be really nice to see him in extended run.

This really should be two ratings. Like on Saturday, Poeltl started off poorly, looking a bit lost on defense and prone to bullying on offense, missing a couple good looks. But then he got his feet about him, showed off the savvy way in which he attacks the offensive glass, and made good use of some tidy VanVleet dishes. A solid second half, to be sure.

Maybe Siakam shouldn’t have been crowned the fourth big just yet. OK, that’s a bit too far, and Nogueira remains and probably will remain error prone. But he looked good here, using his length to break up an alley oop and protect the rim, and he stayed within himself on the offensive end.

The usual CoJo performance. You know what he brings at this point. One note: His confidence seems to be higher and his release a little quicker when he comes over a screen and pulls up. Did a great job looking for JV, too, a possible harbinger for the rotation (more on that tomorrow).

The people demand more VanVleet. As far as third PGs go, he definitely looks capable, as expected. He’s so damn smooth and savvy, rarely making mistakes and always putting his guys in the right positions.

Coming off a very strong first outing, Crawford had a chance to run with the momentum as the first wing off the bench. He started off solid with a few nice hustle plays but lost the handle a bit as the game went on, missing a couple of good opportunities to make the right pass, and he got a bit frenetic on defense. Curious if he’s still the first tryout guy up next time out.

Really, really wanted this W late, and his clutch corner three to cut the lead to two was a really nice sign. He struggled a bit finishing in traffic and didn’t quite have his jumper about him, but the defense was on point to help make up for it. It’s a really good sign when he’s bodying up Danilo Gallinari and not giving up ground, let alone drawing an offensive foul, then denying the ball to Jamal Murray, a wildly different check.

I mean, a bunch of rookies and tryout players are executing defensive sets late, rotating properly, fighting for every possession, and nearly forcing back-to-back-to-back inbounding violations late. He also took it easy with Lowry/DeRozan/Carroll/Sullinger and got a long look at JV with the 2nd unit. It’s not a W, but most things were accomplished here. Kudos.