Fan Duel Toronto Raptors

Quick Reaction: Raptors 128, Knicks 112

Raptors beat the Knicks - Siakam, Wright, JV shine.

Grades up shortly. I’m being a bit cheeky here but, Siakam>Ingram?

New York112Final
Box Score
128Toronto

A+
P. Siakam28 MIN, 23 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 6-7 FG, 3-4 3FG, 8-9 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 8 +/-

Every time I think that Leonard-Siakam hinders Siakam’s ability to impact the game, he does something new to bring value. In the Kings game, he got on the offensive glass and bullied in the post as opposed to transition. Today he hit from downtown, 3 times! Sometimes he reminds me of 2015 Jeff Teague the way he sprints from beyond the 3-point line at defenders. He plays this game so damn well.

B
K. Leonard23 MIN, 12 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 2-7 FG, 0-2 3FG, 8-10 FT, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 8 +/-

By all accounts, a pedestrian game for him. He smothers opposing players on defense, and when he gets up on you, it must feel like trying to score against the Terminator. The Knicks incentivized him to pass, which proved a little tough to do with lengthy youngsters like Ntilikina lurking. Wasn’t particularly sharp on offense, but was tenacious on defense, most notably during that 3rd quarter run.

B+
S. Ibaka26 MIN, 12 PTS, 8 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 5-11 FG, 1-2 3FG, 1-2 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 3 +/-

The first quiet offensive game for Ibaka in awhile, which he’s certainly earned. Did a commendable job on the boards early, and as always, was a force defensively at the rim.

B+
K. Lowry27 MIN, 10 PTS, 2 REB, 7 AST, 0 STL, 3-6 FG, 1-4 3FG, 3-3 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 6 +/-

It’s not Lowry’s patented move, but he has a pass that’s pretty unique to him out of the ‘pnr’. He stops on a dime, leans back, and delivers the ball from his right shoulder. It’s a pass James Harden and Chris Paul are both proficient with as well. Most defenders play the angle of the pass off the chest or the hip. This is why Lowry has been getting so many assists out of the ‘pnr’. On top of that, he hits from downtown, he’s a pest on defense, and he almost always makes the right decision. A well-deserved MVP candidate.

B-
D. Green21 MIN, 9 PTS, 3 REB, 0 AST, 3 STL, 3-7 FG, 3-7 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 2 +/-

Lots of turnovers again which is pretty vexing, but he made up for it with his willingness to shoot. Tim Hardaway Jr. impressed me a lot with his activity off of screens, and Green did a fantastic job keeping up with and deterring him. A run-of-the-mill Green game.

A+
O. Anunoby25 MIN, 16 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 7-10 FG, 1-4 3FG, 1-2 FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 8 +/-

The best showing he’s had in ISO possessions since being drafted. He usually only goes 1-on-1 on the baseline where he can try to overpower players in that space. Today we saw him bully to the rim from the baseline, in addition to a step-back jumper. Expanded his offensive repertoire with a couple post-ups and an ISO coming from above the break. Sprinkled in a 3-point make as well. Remains dangerous blowing up the point-to-wing pass, and super active on defense. Awesome game.

B+
D. Wright24 MIN, 12 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 4-6 FG, 2-3 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 14 +/-

A perfect and wacky game for Wright. Hit his shots from downtown, and was bouncy and disruptive on the defensive end. Delon back?

B
F. VanVleet22 MIN, 7 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 3-7 FG, 1-3 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 14 +/-

With Wright’s great game, he got a little less run than he’s accustomed to. Hit a big 2-for-1 three at the end of the first quarter. Was serviceable in the best way the rest of the game, deferring to Valanciunas and the surging bench throughout. Always a really clever player, and stingy on defense.

A
J. Valanciunas21 MIN, 19 PTS, 11 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 6-8 FG, 1-1 3FG, 6-10 FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 18 +/-

I expected more minutes tonight, due to the Kanter matchup. But he didn’t receive that much time on the floor. He’s still incredibly efficient, and such a luxury to have off the bench. His offensive game hasn’t been denied yet this year. With so much else for teams to contest with, Valanciunas comes in and blasts through teams in the paint.

C-
C. Miles18 MIN, 6 PTS, 1 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 2-8 FG, 1-5 3FG, 1-2 FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 3 +/-

We’re all waiting for that jumper to come back. Until it does, even the things he does well are being replicated to a higher degree by other players. I’m sure the jumper will be there soon enough.

A
Nick Nurse

Lots of rest for the big guns tonight, paced the Ibaka-Valanciunas minutes well. Gave Anunoby tons of possession to grow with. Good night.

Things We Saw

  1. Love the New York broadcast. Clyde Frazier has some incredible soundbites, like: “Siakam, 6’9” Bounding & Astounding”. Mike Breen calls Finals games for a reason. It’s always great to hear people sing the Raptors praises from outside of Toronto. Great duo to listen to.
  2. Hardaway Jr. hit a lot of tough shots tonight, and he’s not usually this on-key. That being said, his activity off-ball is really something. He’s super diligent working to get himself shots, and after everyone mocked his contract, it’s really nice to see him becoming at the very least, an above average wing.
  3. 12-1. This team is unconscionably good. Leonard stumbled to 12 points, Lowry had 10. They clobbered the Knicks. Siakam is one of the most intriguing players league-wide and the VanVleet-Wright pairing seems to have recaptured it’s past vigour. Things are beautiful in Raptor-Land.