Fun game, hope Lowry and Ibaka are better soon.
 | TOR Raptors | 122 | Final Box Score | 104 | NO Pelicans |  |
 A+ | P. Siakam39 MIN, 44 PTS, 10 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 17-27 FG, 5-10 3FG, 5-5 FT, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 6 +/- 26 in the first half, 18 in the second. Had the Pelicans defenders on skates in the half-court, was a gazelle in transition, and made it rain from downtown. No declarations necessary because the jump has already been made. This is who Siakam is now. | |
 A+ | O. Anunoby30 MIN, 21 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 7-13 FG, 5-7 3FG, 2-2 FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 12 +/- There aren’t any superlatives left over for Anunoby. He’s been as good in his role as anyone really can be. The All-NBA defense continued tonight as he and Siakam took turns contributing to Ingram’s tough shooting night. His balance is leaps above where it’s been in the past, he’s hitting jumpers. He’s been flawless in his role this year, and that was what this game was for him. | |
 B- | M. Gasol29 MIN, 5 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1-6 FG, 1-3 3FG, 2-2 FT, 1 BLK, 3 TO, 17 +/- Thought he did a good job defending the interior, but there’s tons of work to be done on the offensive end. When he had the ball in the paint a basket seems as far away as when the ball is in the back-court. | |
 A | K. Lowry16 MIN, 6 PTS, 2 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 2-5 FG, 2-5 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 15 +/- Will forever have his finger on the pulse of the game. Wonderfully mixed pushing and pulling the offense in the first half before an injury took him out. It’s been called a thumb injury, so hopefully it’s just a little blip. | |
 B | F. VanVleet36 MIN, 12 PTS, 5 REB, 11 AST, 2 STL, 3-15 FG, 3-10 3FG, 3-4 FT, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 14 +/- Still plagued by his inability to finish at the rim. His downhill decision making was pretty terrible tonight, but he was great above the break hitting guys on the move, and was pretty clinical after Nash-ing the pick n’ roll. Mixed bag, but brought it home. | |
 A | N. Powell29 MIN, 18 PTS, 4 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 6-10 FG, 2-4 3FG, 4-5 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 28 +/- The pace of this game was a huge shot in the arm for Powell. Rim runs became available and he was able to step into his jumpers and rise up with confidence. Really nice to see him get going, we’ve all been waiting on this. | |
 C | T. Davis16 MIN, 0 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 +/- Doesn’t have the skillset to command the offense yet, so when he was initiating things really bogged down. The effort is always there though, and especially on the glass. | |
 A- | C. Boucher14 MIN, 5 PTS, 8 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1-6 FG, 0-1 3FG, 3-4 FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 4 +/- His length is a problem for all those around it. His arms are everywhere, in everyone’s cookie jar. Doesn’t have the bulk to finish in the paint yet, but he was in the mix non-stop tonight. Loved his performance. | |
 B | M. Thomas12 MIN, 3 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 1-2 FG, 1-2 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, -5 +/- Sling it, baby. That jumper off of curls and pin-downs is something special. It would behoove Nurse to get creative with some sets when he’s on the floor. | |
 A | S. Ibaka12 MIN, 8 PTS, 6 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 3-6 FG, 0-0 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 9 +/- Jumpstarted the Raptors huge run at the start of the second quarter with his terrific defensive presence. Continues to never miss a shot on passes from Lowry, and unfortunately joined Lowry on the injury cart. Landed on OG’s heel and sprained his ankle pretty bad. Hopefully he’s better soon. | |
 Inc | M. Miller5 MIN, 0 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -10 +/- Passed the ball around the horn, not much else. | |
 A | Nick Nurse No complaints tonight. The Ibaka and Lowry injuries have nothing to do with wear and tear, and the minutes distribution was pretty good tonight, save for Siakam, who was chasing a career high. | |
Things We Saw
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker looked really good in the pick n’ roll tonight. He found the pacing to offset the Raptors defense and led the only charge of the second half for the Pels. There’s less room for his emergence on the roster, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Pelicans are more excited about him than Lonzo Ball.
- Losing Ibaka and Lowry would be a catastrophe for this team. Lowry is obviously what makes the team go, but the Raptors are likely going to get mashed by the Lakers massive front-court if Ibaka is out. He’s been the best bench big in the league so far (Maybe Montrezl Harrell) and no one brings what he does to the table on this roster.
- Brandon Ingram is undeniably good. I love the Siakam>Ingram takes, and they’re true, but Ingram has taken a step of his own. His length for finishing at the rim seems unfair, and he utilizes it properly. With that being said, the duo of Siakam and Anunoby did a fantastic job leading him into a tough shooting night.
