Raptors 113, Wizards 103 | Boxscore | Quick Reaction | Reaction Podcast
If you did everything in your power to tune out what was happening at Progressive Field in Cleveland until after the final buzzer, you’re not alone. Ok, perhaps only a few of you shut off your Twitter notifications, ignored texts, and kept pressing the “Info” button on your remote control in an effort to block TSN’s ticker from catching you off guard with a World Series update.
Now, the hardcore Raptors community, or even the casual enthusiast, might be saying: Why is this dude leading off with a Baseball-related intro? Well, allow me to elaborate:
I bleed Raps’ basketball just like any other passionate fanatic, but the thought of not being able to experience a do-or-die sporting event on my own terms had me taking every precaution I could think of.
I also like to believe things happen for a reason. Or, to be more realistic: How timing is everything. And as the first half was winding down, I thought to myself: I’d probably be sticking with this game rather than flipping over to FOX even if I wasn’t tasked with writing the recap.
The flow of the game served as yet another reminder that there’s never a dull moment following this franchise. A game that was ultimately worthy of watching live with Game 7 of the World Series on the PVR back-burner. Not to mention how it showcased the very reason why we’re all here in the first place.
But before we get into the details, let’s backtrack a bit:
Even with just three games to digest, moments of celebration had already crossed paths with episodes of small-sample-sized frustration. Which means any short list of questions/talking points before the Raps suited up in D.C. might have included:
- Is it safe to completely get behind DeRozan’s current level of dominance?
- Was the Denver matchup, where the supporting cast failed to show up, a sign of inconsistencies to come?
- Will the real DeMarre Carroll please stand up?
- What can we expect going forward from the rookies?
- The concern over Valanciunas’ early defensive inefficiencies.
- T-Ross vs. Norm.
- How is Washington favoured by 1? … Man, I wish the NBA was still on Pro-Line. Wait, what do you mean IT’S BACK?!!
- Fingers crossed Sam Mitchell has permanently replaced Mo-Pete.
- Let’s Go Cleveland! Hey, when the media props up one side WAY more than the other, I tend to root for the team that’s being neglected. Sound familiar?
- Battle of the Backcourts: It’s a fun debate to go back and forth with, but it doesn’t exactly mean anything. Not at the moment, anyway.
We couldn’t have expected anything from that list to be answered in full, but that also doesn’t mean snapshots didn’t play out over the course of the game. Especially considering the two squads were trading scoring runs like candy. Let’s see if I can keep this straight:
- Washington began the game with an 11-2 run which lead to a 27-15 advantage.
- The Raps then countered with 10-2 run of their own to balance things out at the end of the 1st.
- The 2nd quarter started with a whimper, but the Wizards ended it with a 14-4 bang.
- Toronto then proceeded to answer with a 21-8 comeback in the middle of the 3rd.
- The Wizards hit back with 8 unanswered to start the final Q.
- But the Raps quickly followed that up with a 17-5 dismantling down the stretch.
At times it was ugly, at times it was a joy to watch. So let’s mix that aforementioned list with how the action actually unfolded. Or, if you prefer, let’s attempt to decode the undisciplined chaos:
Judging by the way the starters came out of the gate, one might think a few World Series wagers were made. When it came to rim protection and transition defense, a lack of effort jumped off the screen. Which was highlighted by Washington shooting 72 percent from the field in the first quarter, and 83 percent in the first 8 minutes! (12 in the paint).
On the bright side, most of the supporting cast didn’t let their performance against the Nuggets have a domino effect, as DeRozan, along with a second-unit of Patterson, Joseph, Ross, and Poeltl weathered the early storm against what by all accounts seems to be inferior bench options.
On the flip side, one could argue that the Wizards’ turnovers let the Raps off the hook in general. John Wall can be terrifying in the open court, that’s not breaking news, but his 9 cough-ups, along with the other 11 from his teammates, did have a profound impact on the Raps getting back into the game. I’d take any opportunity to shout out positives in regards to the Raps’ defense, but it was one part defensive pressure, one part sloppiness by the home team.
With that said, the fact that DeRozan went off (again!), with an honorable mention to Lowry’s clutch second half shooting, suggests I might be giving the Wizards’ lack of lineup continuity too much credit.
I’ll get to the star of the show in a bit. First, a few more of those talking points need to be discussed:
It was somewhat by default, considering both Lowry and DeRozan had to leave the game due to minor injuries (Lowry with a Gortat elbow to the face, DeRozan with an ankle issue), but Ross and Powell saw the floor together for some substantial 2nd quarter PT.
Ross was disruptive in passing lanes, didn’t hesitate when pulling the trigger from deep, active on tip-ins, and ended up an with an efficient, and extremely encouraging 15 points in 18 minutes.
Norm made the most of his minutes as well — played solid perimeter defense (as per usual) while showing off his improved capability from downtown in the process.
But most notably, was the fact that Powell was inserted back into the lineup in place of Carroll to roll with the closing unit. His bump in minutes, whether it’s going to happen with regularity in the near future or not, was expected to happen at some point, but for a sizeable amount of his first real action of the season to occur in crunch time with 6 minutes left and the score tied was a move I thought Casey wasn’t ready to pull just yet. But a welcome one, at that. He can be taken advantage of, but the kid doesn’t shake on defense.
However, perhaps it shouldn’t have been all that surprising with the way DeMarre currently looks. His lack of explosiveness on the boards and through his spot-up threes is noticeable. Which is getting in the way of his bread and butter — his off-ball intangibles. Should questions now be raised as to how healthy he really is? Either way, he needed to watch the most important part of the game from the bench for at least one night.
As for JV, well, I know Otto Porter has a habit of overachieving against Toronto (a 23-point, 13-board, 11-for-13 night in this latest episode) but that doesn’t mean he should be capable of owning JV in one-on-one rebound situations. Even his simple box-out presence didn’t show up last night.
His offensive game is growing without a doubt, but when you combine last night’s defensive showing with how he performed against Denver, the progress he made last season still needs time to carry over. However, is he near his defensive ceiling? I’d bet against it.
What about the Rooks?
Even though opposing defenses are coming off Siakam and increasing their chances of successful double teams, he’s still having a positive effect overall. Last night might have been his most mistake-prone performance, but the more he’s attempting to get involved offensively in the early going, the better off the entire lineup will be.
Jakob Poeltl: He’s becoming known for two things in particular, and Wednesday night was no different: Foul trouble and timely rejections that give a chance for transition points the other way.
All in all, he’s shown he can compete. And this also goes for the all the Raps’ bigs last night: Solid and productive screen setting. DeMar isn’t doing all his damage without any help!
And of course, last but not least:
When you drop 40 points for the second time in four games, put up four straight games over 30 which tied Mike James’ franchise record, and begin a season (scoring-wise) like no other player in club history, you need to be singled out.
And to think he didn’t even cash his first bucket until just over 4 minutes left in the first quarter, and wasn’t even consistently heating up until the second half.
All of which, leads back to the original question: Is it safe to let down our guard and go all in? Should there have been a guard in the first place? Well, one could look at that through multiple lenses:
A) Before his mid-range game took over, DeMar seemed to be forcing his shot. And at that point, I can only assume most of us (myself included) were calling for the missing ingredients (facilitating on offense, aggressiveness on defense) from his previous three games to come into play.
B) There’s something to be said (without going rogue, of course) about letting a scorer get into his rhythm even if he has to take ill-advised shots before he gets his act together.
C) In the end: He scored at will, checked the facilitating box, and whether it was coming off screens, seeing double-teams before they came, or positioning himself deep into the lane, he displayed masterful court awareness for three quarters. Three quarters that you can now add to his scorching early season resume. How about we just enjoy the ride and see where it goes? … Interesting concept, I’ll let that marinate.
Go figure, Game 7 of the World Series went extra innings with a rain delay on top. I guess I didn’t have to be overly cautious after all. It must be the Raptor fan in me.
