Note from Blake: Hey readers, the recap generator is down so we’re going old-fashioned for this one. Apologies for the aesthetic displeasure. You can find the box score here.
Kyle Lowry – A+
Looked absolutely locked in from the jump yet again. Effortlessly got his teammates shots, and picked his spots when the game required. His three-point stroke is magnificent right now, as he hit 6 more tonight. If the cast around him keeps improving, there’s no reason this guy won’t be able to continue to be their floor general well into his next contract.
Norman Powell – A
You know the drill – always ready, always contributing on offense, always in perfect posture on defense. Powell is quickly developing the mental fortitude of a winning-team glue-guy; the kind of role player coaches can rely on in the deciding minutes of a tight playoff game. Exploded for a dunk in the 3rd.
DeMar DeRozan – A
Saw the shot wasn’t dropping early, and so he once again moved to the facilitator role for the rest of the first quarter, recording 4 assists in the opening frame. Continued his improvement on end of quarter shots with another buzzer beater in the third.
Pascal Siakam – B+
Hit a really smooth-looking long two, an edge of the paint jumper, and very nearly a corner three. Are you kidding me? Masai needs to get a lifetime deal with the Raptors, pay him anything.
Jonas Valanciunas – B
Didn’t make an impact on the game offensively, but he didn’t need to with the rest of the squad on fire.
Cory Joseph – A
Got to the rim at will, slicing the Lakers defense with no regard to the man in front of him. Nice to see him back to form.
Terrence Ross – B
Showed the ultimate shooter’s touch in the second quarter when the ball did all it could to escape the basket, failing in the end. After hitting two threes, the defense overplayed him and Ross countered with a nice assist to Bebe, showing off improved playmaking. Cooled off with the stakes lower in the second half.
Patrick Patterson – B+
The form on the shot looking much more consistent. Even when he misses, it’s a shot that is ‘just off,’ not the bricks he was heaving early in the season. A solid if unspectacular outing from the Patman.
Lucas Nogueira – A-
Showed what he’s capable of as a passer from the high post, as he found Patterson for an open three in the first half. Rolled excellently to the rim all game too. Had a couple nice blocks, and changed a host of other shots as well. Can really become a defensive menace when he gains more playing experience. Dressed up as Siakam for one play as he was the first one down the court for a fast break dunk in the second quarter.
Jakob Poeltl – INC
Had a couple rebounds, but missed a layup he should have made. No harm, no foul.
Fred VanVleet – INC
Looked a bit shaky in his short stint, recording an airball on his first shot. To his credit he course-corrected with a made layup soon after.
Bruno Caboclo – INC
Hit a three off the backboard, and though he probably didn’t mean it, gained the requisite confidence to follow it up with a steal and nice assist to Siakam.
Dwane Casey – A+
Kept Carroll fresh for tomorrow, gave Powell crucial playing time, limited Lowry and DeRozan to 30 and 29 minutes respectively, and blew out the Lakers in the process. The key was a strong start, and Casey got his players to come in with a professional attitude and crush the young Lakers’ spirit before the end of the first half. Can’t ask for much more.
Three Takeaways
- Casey’s strategy of giving Powell just enough playing time to keep him in decent game shape while not allowing Carroll’s knees to betray him during back to backs could really pay dividends in the playoffs, as well as if/when a rotation player gets injured.
- Toronto got any shot they wanted against the Lakers tonight (especially early on). The way the club is sharing the basketball, you can tell they’re having fun playing with each other. At this rate, they won’t remain in the NBA’s assist basement much longer.
- It’s fun to see the Raptors play when the entire roster appears to be in good form. Everyone is making the right plays, draining their open shots, participating in the defensive effort. The effect of long-term chemistry on this cannot be overstated. Even in good years, the Raptors always had a weak link (or a few) in the rotation, it is beyond refreshing to have consistent contributions from everyone who gets minutes. The team doesn’t miss a beat when resting their starting small forward and missing their biggest offseason acquisition – that’s incredible, and we as long-time suffering Raptor fans finally get our due, as we witness this golden era of Toronto basketball.
