Fan Duel Toronto Raptors

Quick Reaction: Hornets 106, Raptors 127

Charlotte 106 Final Box Score 127 Toronto A+ K. Leonard31 MIN, 22 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 9-14 FG, 4-7 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 29 +/- It was effortless for Leonard tonight. Raptors fans finally saw his unparalleled efficiency. The extra rest from staying home from Washington on Saturday clearly…

Charlotte106Final
Box Score
127Toronto

A+
K. Leonard31 MIN, 22 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 9-14 FG, 4-7 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 29 +/-

It was effortless for Leonard tonight. Raptors fans finally saw his unparalleled efficiency. The extra rest from staying home from Washington on Saturday clearly helped his legs as his long-ball looked as fluid as ever. When his pull-up three is going, he’s virtually unguardable.

B
P. Siakam20 MIN, 4 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 2-4 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 16 +/-

As much of a terror as the Siakam-Ibaka frontcourt is defensively, one can’t help but feel that much of Siakam’s offensive value is mitigated playing with the starters. Solid game despite a few careless mistakes.

B+
S. Ibaka24 MIN, 15 PTS, 8 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 7-12 FG, 0-3 3FG, 1-2 FT, 1 BLK, 4 TO, 15 +/-

Nonchalant with the ball a few too many times. and made some head-scratching decisions in pick and roll defense that Kemba Walker easily exploited, but otherwise, he was excellent. His rim running through these four games is easily the best it’s been in Toronto.

A+
K. Lowry32 MIN, 16 PTS, 2 REB, 14 AST, 2 STL, 5-9 FG, 3-6 3FG, 3-3 FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 25 +/-

Lowry defended Walker better than any other Raptor and it honestly looked too easy for him running the show tonight. He might be on pace for Eastern Conference Player of the Month.

A+
D. Green26 MIN, 16 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 6-8 FG, 4-6 3FG, 0-0 FT, 2 BLK, 1 TO, 18 +/-

Green was everywhere on defense tonight. Made excellent reads beating closeouts after swishing a few threes. His groin tear limiting his production last season has made him one of the best “matching salaries” in recent memory.

B+
O. Anunoby25 MIN, 5 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 2-7 FG, 1-4 3FG, 0-0 FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 6 +/-

Rough shooting night for Anunoby, but he held his own whenever he switched onto Walker. Whenever he plays with KL^2, he’s at his best.

A
J. Valanciunas20 MIN, 17 PTS, 10 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 7-8 FG, 0-0 3FG, 3-4 FT, 2 BLK, 0 TO, 6 +/-

Despite being roasted by Walker in pick and roll a few too many times, Valanciunas was superb. He abused the Hornets small-ball lineups all night, making old-school basketball fans everywhere proud.

B+
F. VanVleet19 MIN, 8 PTS, 0 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 4-9 FG, 0-2 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 +/-

Ho-hum game for VanVleet. The VanVleet-Powell-Miles-Anunoby-Valanciunas lineups forced him to create something from nothing too often for his skillset, but as a secondary threat in other lineups, he was lethal.

C+
N. Powell16 MIN, 9 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 3-7 FG, 1-4 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -9 +/-

Powell had a few promising moments but was otherwise frustrating on both ends. Being the secondary creator on bench units is asking too much of him. When Delon Wright returns, he likely comes close to falling out of the rotation.

B
C. Miles16 MIN, 8 PTS, 1 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 2-5 FG, 1-4 3FG, 3-3 FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, -3 +/-

Decent game from Miles. Hit a deep transition three, but still couldn’t settle into a shooting groove. Whenever it is he finds his shot again, the Raptors bench will get a much needed boost.

Inc
L. Brown4 MIN, 2 PTS, 0 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 +/-

Hit a nice pull-up when switched against Biyombo, but otherwise didn’t get to show much. If he is waived when his guarantee date comes around in January, I hope a tanking team gives him a chance to finally earn a rotation spot.

Inc
G. Monroe4 MIN, 2 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 +/-

Flashed his famed passing chops once and got to the rim off a signature slow-by. This being his first appearance all season speaks volumes to the Raptors depth.

Inc
M. Richardson4 MIN, 3 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 1-2 FG, 1-2 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 +/-

Showed off his smooth stroke in the corner off a nice Monroe kick-out once. Can’t wait to watch Richardson audition for a second NBA contract with the 905 this year.

A-
Nick Nurse

Solid game tactically from Nurse. Ran plenty of actions that confused the Hornets defense. Still iffy on his bench lineups, but that likely becomes a moot point once Delon Wright returns. Also, seems to be carrying on the Dwane Casey “leave the starters in too long in a blowout” legacy.

Things We Saw

  1. 36 assists on 50 baskets might undersell the Raptors ball movement tonight. Nurse’s offense looked crisp as ever.
  2. Raptors clearly had a mandate to run the Hornets off the three-point line and succeeded. The Hornets came in leading the league in attempts, but only managed 28. Walker in particular struggled to find any comfort out there.
  3. I know it’s been said ad nauseum, but Tony Parker in a hornets uniform is weird. We’re in the dark timeline on this one.