Fan Duel Toronto Raptors

Quick Reaction: Raptors 114, Trailblazers 106

TOR Raptors 114 Final Box Score 106 POR Trail Blazers B M. Miller7 MIN, 0 PTS, 0 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -6 +/- Miller only played to open the game, but I don’t really think that was on him. The starters were lethargic to…

TOR Raptors114Final
Box Score
106POR Trail Blazers

B
M. Miller7 MIN, 0 PTS, 0 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -6 +/-

Miller only played to open the game, but I don’t really think that was on him. The starters were lethargic to start, and he didn’t get a chance to redeem himself as the play picked up in the second half, because Rondae was playing too well for him to get back out there.

A+
P. Siakam41 MIN, 36 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 15-28 FG, 4-7 3FG, 2-3 FT, 1 BLK, 4 TO, 9 +/-

What more can be said?

He struggled with his scoring early, and was 6-18 at one point, and then he hit 9 of his last 10 shots and completely took over offensively to get the win. He’s a superstar, plain and simple, and he just keeps delivering.

A+
M. Gasol35 MIN, 9 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 0 STL, 3-10 FG, 3-5 3FG, 0-0 FT, 4 BLK, 2 TO, 6 +/-

3-10 shooting, and he turned down a lot of good looks as well. Doesn’t matter. This was one of his best games of the season, he was fantastic defensively down the stretch and had some huge assists. Came through when he had to, and the Raptors need more of that Marc Gasol.

C
N. Powell27 MIN, 2 PTS, 7 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-6 FG, 0-2 3FG, 2-2 FT, 2 BLK, 0 TO, -3 +/-

Rough night for Norm, and he was one of the few Raptors to really feel like he was struggling. His shot wasn’t falling, he was doing too much offensively at times, and he got played out of the rotation by RHJ and Davis at the end of the night.

A+
F. VanVleet40 MIN, 30 PTS, 4 REB, 7 AST, 2 STL, 10-16 FG, 4-6 3FG, 6-6 FT, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 8 +/-

Wish I could give him a higher grade. He had Dame in jail all night look, and Dame never was able to get going. Also ran the offense, scored an extremely efficient 30 points, including keeping the Raptors in the game for long stretches. He was great.

A+
T. Davis31 MIN, 15 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 5-10 FG, 3-6 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 19 +/-

Terence Davis has been a revelation this season. Not sure how he went undrafted. Plays with incredible confidence, and he just finds ways to contribute, every night. His defense was solid in this one and he made some huge shots, and he just kept fighting to keep the Raptors in the game. Should be a fixture in the rotation even when the team is healthy.

A+
R. Hollis-Jefferson26 MIN, 16 PTS, 11 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 6-8 FG, 0-0 3FG, 4-4 FT, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 10 +/-

Speaking of fixtures in the rotation, Rondae is there as well. Great defensive game and found ways to chip in offensively. I was concerned coming into the season about his lack of an outside shot, but that really hasn’t been an issue because he does so many other things, and understands what his game is offensively.

C+
C. Boucher14 MIN, 2 PTS, 7 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 1-4 FG, 0-2 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -1 +/-

Tougher night for Boucher than he’s had the last couple, but he still was active on the boards when he was in the game, which is a big thing for him.

C
M. Thomas12 MIN, 2 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 1-6 FG, 0-3 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -7 +/-

It’s hard to grade Thomas because he’s really only out there to hit shots, and tonight they didn’t go down.

C+
S. Johnson5 MIN, 2 PTS, 3 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 1-3 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 5 +/-

Only had a handful of minutes, and did have one great transition bucket, but he’s going to be a limited player and that came through with some rough fouls in this one.

A+
Nick Nurse

Nothing short of fantastic tonight. Had his team ready to play, even coming off a tough doubleheader, and had a great defensive gameplan. The Blazers kept in it through most of the night through some great offensive performances from their role players, but Toronto kept to the plan, and he went to the right guys late to get the win. He’s been great this season, especially adapting to some tough injuries this last week.

Things We Saw

  1. The Raptors are so tough. They stay in the game mentally when things aren’t going well, and find ways to keep it in reach, even holding a lead after a first half when they really didn’t play that well, and then they take over as it turns their way. They are a tough team to play against this year, and they don’t let him. Can’t underestimate the heart of a Champion.
  2. Siakam took over late. He recognized the mismatches that he had and attacked them relentlessly, and it opened up everything for Toronto at the end. He continues to evolve his game and recognize where he can find advantages, and the fact that he keeps working on a night that starts tough like this one is just so impressive to see.
  3. OG will reportedly be back Saturday, which will be a welcome boost to the rotation, but Toronto has done a great job finding guys to step up with the adversity. The road trip will end over .500 with this win, whatever happens in Dallas, and that has to be considered a victory given the health issues.