Box Score | Quick Reaction | Reaction Podcast
The term “professional win” gets thrown around a lot these days. At least it seems so for the Toronto Raptors, who have now racked up a sixth consecutive victory fuelled by team play, signs of defensive improvement, and a world-beating offense that’s firing on all cylinders. It’s that kind of play on both ends of the floor for the Raptors that has led to an incredible 23-point average margin of defeat over their past 6 wins.
Granted some of that is because the Raptors have faced the likes of the Sixers, Lakers (albeit an improved team), and the struggling Hawks last night, but most of it is due to the Raptors finally clicking internally. DeMar DeRozan continues to score or pass with efficiency, Kyle Lowry seems to have found a brilliant mid-season form, and DeMarre Carroll and Patrick Patterson seem to be hitting every open 3 they were missing just some short weeks ago.
Well, last night was pretty much just that for the Raptors. Similar to some of those other opponents, it didn’t hurt that the Raptors were facing a reeling Hawks squad that’s desperately searching for answers. Hotlanta has just been hot trash recently – losing 5 in a row and 8 of their last 9 coming into last night, with deflating losses to the Pacers, Jazz, Lakers, Suns and Pistons – all teams that Atlanta has to at least compete with, in my eyes, to hold a title as a legit contender for the second slot in the East.
And while that title seemed like a possibility just 10-15 days ago for Atlanta, the Hawks (partially due to Paul Millsap being out the past 3 games now) have been undeniably AWFUL, with the only somewhat inspiring game recently against the Warriors in Oakland last Monday, losing by just 5 and getting balanced scoring from Dennis Schroder, Dwight Howard, and Paul Millsap. But last night, it was more of the same struggle for Atlanta, getting dominated by the Raptors in every single statistical category, save for personal fouls – leading to the highest margin of victory (44) for the Raptors in franchise history:
Tack on a 42-14 scoring avalanche for Toronto in the fourth quarter, and this thing ended up so one-sided, it was laughable. For the Raptors, like the Warriors, winning by a lot (and consistently) not only means they’re taking care of business against those they’re supposed to beat, but also that Lowry, DeRozan and other key starters can get the rest they need to sustain their performance over the regular season and into the playoffs. The way things have gone in years past, that’s something any fan would be happy to hear.
Notables of the Night
- Defense once again holds firm: After giving up 100+ points seemingly every night to start the season, the Raptors have strung together vastly improved defensive games during this current homestand. After holding Milwaukee under 100 points in the last game of their recent road trip, the Raptors have also held the Sixers, Lakers, and Hawks under 100 points as well. And in their past 6 victories, the Raptors have held their opponent to just 43% shooting overall from the field, 34% from beyond the arc, and just a combined 94 points per game. With the way the offense is going, that means almost every game is a guaranteed win right now.
- And…the offense remains scorching: It seems kind of crazy to be praising the offense as well for a team playing this well defensively, but the offense, quite frankly, has been even more impressive than the defense. The Raptors have shot a scorching 53% their past 6 games from the field, including 51% from deep, 82% from the line (on 21 attempts a night), leading to a whopping 117 points a night. A lot of that is due to the sizzling shooting of Kyle Lowry, who’s been unconscious, shooting 59% from the field, and at an even better 63% clip from 3 these past 6 games. 63%!! And while those same shots may not be falling in a couple of months, Dwane Casey is hoping that the team defense holds up to make up for it.
- DeMar capitalizing on matchup: It was nice to see DeMar be aggressive on the offensive end last night. It was no 35 or 40 point game, like we were used to seeing early in the season, but it was an efficient 21 points on 50% from the field. That included a strong start with 14 points on 5/6 shooting in the first quarter alone. I also liked that DeMar attacked the Kyle Korver matchup with on-balance jumpers, as well as solid up-and-under mid post moves. With DeMar’s size and craftiness against a guy like Korver (as well as his willingness to pass as he’s shown recently), giving DeRozan a touch every time down the court would be fine by me.
- The small forward spot: This playing DeMarre once on back-to-backs thing is actually looking pretty great right now. Not just because it allows Carroll to take a night off and be fresher for big games, but also that it keeps Norman Powell sharp and ready to enter the game if needed. Wing depth is something the Raptors could only dream of a few years ago when they faced off against the Nets in the playoffs, and now they’ve got a ton to boast at the 2 and 3 positions, both offensively and defensively.
- Pascal Siakam continues to hold serve in Sullinger’s absence: With a career high 14 points, Siakam showed me a lot last night. He showed poise on the offensive end, letting the game come to him and was active all over the floor. He showed toughness with a couple of back-downs against Kyle Korver and Mike Muscala. Oh yeah, and the 2 blocks don’t hurt either.
- Cory Joseph is definitely back: After a dismal start to the year, similar to Patterson and DeMarre Carroll, Cory Joseph is back to being well…the Cory Joseph we’re used to seeing. Not the flashiest or most stat-stuffing, but solid nonetheless. CoJo posted his 6th straight solid game, averaging just over 12 points a game during that span, shooting the ball with confidence and driving to the rack with his usual herky-jerky motions and bursts of deceptive speed. If Cory is playing well, particularly when Lowry is also on the court, the Raptors are that much more unstoppable.
Lookahead
The Raptors will now look to put their recent hot streak to the real test – facing off against the visiting (and surprisingly slumping) Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland, after starting the season posting a strong 13-2 record out of the gate, has now stumbled to 3 straight losses, preceded by just a narrow win against the lowly Sixers. It’s been ugly for the defending champs who’s offense, generally one of the best in the league, has averaged a more down-to-earth 46% from the field during the past 3 contests, with an average margin of defeat of 14.
But for LeBron and the Cavs, playing their Eastern Conference foes ought to mean something. Likely wanting to send an early-season statement with a decisive win of the season series, the Raps will expect the Cavs to be hungry and aggressive. King James has not been known to let up for long. Should be a good one.
Tip time on Monday is 7:30 pm.
