If you’re reading this the Super Bowl starts soon, and the comments will be here shortly… ya landlubbers.
 | CHI Bulls | 102 | Final Box Score | 129 | TOR Raptors |  |
 A+ | P. Siakam28 MIN, 17 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST, 0 STL, 6-14 FG, 0-2 3FG, 5-5 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 13 +/- Team moves to 11-1 since his return, which is good. He always gets his points, but his passing out of pressure was great today. Covered a lot of space defensively in the second half. | |
 A+ | O. Anunoby21 MIN, 4 PTS, 7 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 2-3 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 6 +/- Still looking to get that 3-point offense back to where we like it (and I’m sure he does as well) but did a good job of finding soft spots in the Chicago defense, ran the floor, and defended. | |
 A+ | S. Ibaka24 MIN, 16 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 7-12 FG, 1-2 3FG, 1-2 FT, 3 BLK, 2 TO, 0 +/- Carried the Raptors scoring load for long stretches, and did a fantastic job as a defensive backstop to start off the second half. Very few bigs come in and outplay him. | |
 A+ | K. Lowry30 MIN, 14 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST, 0 STL, 3-7 FG, 3-7 3FG, 5-6 FT, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 14 +/- These games are such a cakewalk for him. He’s reading the floor at a much higher level than his competition and he’s really coasting to these numbers. | |
 A+ | F. VanVleet32 MIN, 12 PTS, 4 REB, 8 AST, 1 STL, 5-11 FG, 2-6 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 17 +/- The And-1 mixtape got a bit bigger tonight. Snatched ankles, rumbled to the rim and finished with english, and most importantly ran the offense competently. | |
 A+ | T. Davis28 MIN, 31 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 12-15 FG, 6-7 3FG, 1-2 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 18 +/- A++++. One of the most impressive rookie performances we’ve seen in a Raptors uniform. What a shame that he’s not in the Rising Stars game – there really isn’t an excuse. Incredible shooting, great patience attacking, and tenacious defensively. | |
 A+ | C. Boucher25 MIN, 15 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 5-10 FG, 1-4 3FG, 4-4 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 21 +/- Eviscerated the Bulls as a dive man. He adds a different dimension to the Raptors offense and he looked great doing it tonight. Long, aggressive, energetic. | |
 A+ | P. McCaw23 MIN, 10 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 3-5 FG, 2-3 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 20 +/- Anytime he’s hitting corner triples and moving the ball that’s a win. Came and battled with a mask on his face. Raptors still like him handling the ball up top in their horns sets, and it’s a good look in a game like this. | |
 A+ | M. Thomas18 MIN, 7 PTS, 1 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 3-6 FG, 1-3 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 18 +/- Let it rain, friendo. Competent off the bounce, quick feet defensively. | |
 Inc | S. Johnson4 MIN, 0 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 2 +/- Too little time. | |
 Inc | P. Watson3 MIN, 1 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3FG, 1-2 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 3 +/- Too little time. | |
 Inc | O. Brissett3 MIN, 2 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 +/- Alley-oop! | |
 A+ | Nick Nurse Helped steer the Raptors back in the right direction after their overzealous defense put them in trouble defending the 3. Low minutes, big win. | |
Things We Saw
- Quite honestly, I don’t think there’s a credible case to make that excludes Davis II from the Rising Stars game. If you’re into counting stats and you look at the team he’s on + his box score, he should make it. If you’re into the analytics, you’d recognize him as one of the best rookies in the league (top-5, for sure). And if you have a healthy blend of both he’s undeniably one of the most exciting young guards from this draft class. Shame.
- I have no idea why Denzel Valentine wanted beef with Kyle Lowry. I can’t imagine how that would ever be advantageous for him.
- Super Bowl! If I’m to believe the numbers, the Raptors game ops predicted the Chiefs as the winners today. Adjust your bets accordingly.
- Gotta love this team, man.
