Photo Credit: Matt Azevedo/MattAzevedo.com
Raptors 905 (9-2) def. Oklahoma City Blue (8-6); 103-91 | Box Score
905 Assignees: Bruno Caboclo, Fred VanVleet.
Blue Assignees: None.
The meanest snowstorm of the early winter season only had enough to slow the Raptors 905 for one half, as they used 36-13 third quarter to hand the Oklahoma City Blue their sixth loss of the season. It was also a franchise-record sixth straight victory for the 905.
After five days off and a couple of roster call ups, the Raptors 905 starting lineup took on a fresh look for this one. Fred VanVleet and Bruno Caboclo were called up and they were slotted straight into the starting lineup ahead of Brady Heslip and E.J. Singler. While these were expected changes, coach Stackhouse showed he’s fully embraced the spirit of giving this holiday season, handing starts to Yanick Moreira and Axel Toupane as well.
He must have seen something he liked in practice from those two, as Moreira and Toupane combined for 15 first-quarter points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field and a perfect 3-for-3 from the free-throw line. While that duo looked energized by the time off, it appeared the defense was still on vacation. The 905 allowed six three-pointers in a 27-point first quarter for the Blue, leaving the scores tied after one.
After failing to make a significant impact in the first quarter, VanVleet really settled down and found a groove running the second unit. His steady manner is his strongest asset, and his craftiness earned him six trips to the foul line when his shot wasn’t falling, and 12 assists for the game.
I know what you’re thinking. What about Bruno?
Caboclo was given a minutes restriction for the game, but was still conspicuous by his on-court absence in the first half. After opening the game’s scoring with a three-pointer, he missed his next two shots and didn’t manage a single board or assist in his eight minutes of first-quarter action. He then sat out the entire second quarter, and that may have lit a fire under him.
Bruno played some excellent minutes in the second half, and it began on the defensive end. He showed good awareness with his rotations and shot contests off switches, and the rest of his game followed through naturally. He knocked down three triples as part of a game-changing 22-7 run to open the third quarter that gave the 905 a 72-61 lead. A year ago, we might have seen Bruno get down on himself and struggle through the rest of the game, but what a difference a year makes.
It should excite fans that he showed better mental fortitude to fight through a quiet start, and he essentially willed himself into the game by doing the little things, before getting hot from the outside.
The return of VanVleet to the lineup meant Brady Heslip could look for his offense a bit more, and he took full advantage by scoring 16 points with four three-pointers in his 20 minutes of action. The 905 stepped off the gas pedal after that dominant third, but were never seriously threatened. Stackhouse really managed his rotations well tonight, with 10 players garnering at least 18 minutes of play.
There’s a real sense of synergy between the 905 and the senior squad’s level of play right now, with only the elite teams looking like they can present a serious challenge.
Thanks to Navid Shahabadi for the highlight package.
Notes:
- The Blue came in just behind the 905 in both defensive rating and rebound rate, at fourth and third respectively.
- Remember Jannero Pargo? It was cool to see him playing hard in the D-League after plying his trade in the NBA for over a decade. He had himself a game too; 17 points with five treys in 24 minutes.
- After a great game against the Sioux Falls Skyforce, it was unfortunate that John Jordan fell victim to the numbers game and couldn’t see the floor.
- CJ Leslie and Will Sheehey continue to provide a little bit of everything, with 25 points, 17 rebounds, and five assists between them.
- There were a ton of empty seats at the Hershey Centre tonight, but kudos to the ones that made it out on this snow filled day.
- The 905 will now travel to North Carolina to take on the Greensboro Swarm on Saturday, December 17th at 7:00pm EST.
