Fun game.
 | Brooklyn | 125 | Final Box Score | 127 | Toronto |  |
 B | P. Siakam35 MIN, 17 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 6-13 FG, 0-1 3FG, 5-6 FT, 0 BLK, 3 TO, -1 +/- Took a handful of shots that are typically not in his shot-chart, and didn’t convert at a high percentage. He missed a couple easy ones, and wasn’t far from having a really clean box-score to take home. Outside of that, his defense was really good, there’s a reason he rates as one of the top-20 defenders in the league. Even on the tough shooting nights he adds a dynamism to the Raptors that can’t be replicated by more than 5 players league-wide. | |
 A | K. Leonard34 MIN, 30 PTS, 2 REB, 8 AST, 1 STL, 10-20 FG, 1-5 3FG, 9-9 FT, 0 BLK, 3 TO, -7 +/- Second game in a row with 5+ assists, which is really encouraging, and he put up 25+ to boot. Call it mid-season malaise, but he’s been a bit slow on offense and defense the past couple games (maybe a lingering leg thing), but this was a well-rounded effort, and a BANKED IN GAME WINNER FROM MID-RANGE? Good enough for me. | |
 B+ | S. Ibaka26 MIN, 18 PTS, 12 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 9-13 FG, 0-2 3FG, 0-0 FT, 2 BLK, 0 TO, -2 +/- With how hesitant he was with his jumper early on in the game, it’s shocking that he hit damn near 70-percent of his shots in this one. This was a flashback to November-December days where the Ibaka pick n’ pop was the Raptors life-blood. | |
 B | K. Lowry34 MIN, 13 PTS, 6 REB, 7 AST, 0 STL, 5-9 FG, 3-7 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 +/- Sticky, annoying defense all night that I really liked. The Nets played terrific defense on the ‘pnr’ and he (and the Raptors) figured out a way around it. I’m also looking glowingly on any multi three-point games from ‘KLOE’. | |
 B+ | D. Green33 MIN, 9 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 3-8 FG, 3-8 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 9 +/- Did a splendid job on Russell in the first half, shading him to his right-hand and forcing him to pass. Unfortunately, the Nets were hot from downtown so it wasn’t so bad that he was passing it around. Not sure if I can give Gasol the credit for this, but Green also had 5+ assists, the team has the passing bug. You knew he was hitting that triple at the end, big time shooter. | |
 A- | M. Gasol22 MIN, 16 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 7-9 FG, 1-1 3FG, 1-2 FT, 2 BLK, 2 TO, 4 +/- He locked down the start of the 4th quarter, man. Walling off the rim on defense and creating multiple buckets from the elbow on offense. Oh baby, the sweeping hooks are fun to watch, and his presence seems to do A LOT for McCaw. | |
 A | P. McCaw20 MIN, 13 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 5-9 FG, 1-4 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 +/- Got a shot at initiating some plays on offense with Fred out and the bench extra short, didn’t do too bad a job as he handed it off to Gasol then sprinted around him like a madman. He found pockets of space on offense and occupied them on defense. He was everywhere, and superb tonight. | |
 C+ | O. Anunoby18 MIN, 6 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 3-5 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 +/- Snatched a couple balls out at the wing, which should be considered his signature at this point. We’re still waiting for the decisive offensive decision maker, but his defense was far better tonight than in New York. | |
 B- | N. Powell18 MIN, 5 PTS, 1 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 2-6 FG, 0-2 3FG, 1-1 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 7 +/- Second game in a row where his stats are underwhelming, but I liked his overall game. He pairs well with Gasol (who doesn’t) and he moved aside for McCaw to get his with the bench tonight. | |
 B+ | Nick Nurse Liked that he staggered Gasol with the starters more in this one, and the initial coverage on D’angelo was terrific. I might’ve tried to sneak a few more minutes Gasol’s way, but oh well. | |
Things We Saw
- D’angelo Russell’s progression this year is so much fun. As Raptors fans, we’ve seen him play some spectacular games. Really excited for his career going forward.
- Gasol’s elbow offense (GEO) is contagious in Toronto, this may lead to more assists and no-look passes in your neighborhood basketball games. Stay alert.
- Leonard’s first game-winner with the Raptors, beautiful stuff.
