Truly, an alien feeling for Raptors fans, but you as a collective are up 2-0 in a series. The next logical step for the team is to make it 3-0, and they’ll look to make that happen today.
First up, here’s Es:
The Nets showed a significant amount of chutzpah (thank you MrTonic) in Game 2, as they stretched the Raptors out defensively, and executed a daring defense that preyed on Marc Gasol. The culmination of these acts very nearly resulted in a victory, but thanks to the Raptors steely demeanor and heart of a champion, it still brought an ‘L’ and an 0-2 deficit.
A few things have turned to the Raptors side in what was already a lopsided series. The Nets have shown their full hand. A radical change to their defensive scheme – dropping the ‘drop’ and asking Jarrett Allen to increase his range on that end – a newly potent Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot entered the lineup and rained fire from downtown early on, and the Raptors struggled with both initially.
Joe Harris, a significant cog in the Nets rapid ‘drive and kick’ offense and one of the league’s very best shooters, has left the bubble for a personal matter and will miss 2 games at the very least. Luwawu-Cabarrot’s insertion into the lineup was meant to maximize spacing, creating seams to the rim and great looks from beyond the arc. It worked, but without Harris the potency of those lineups is muted, at best. With the Nets already down 2-0 in this series, Harris might have already played his last game in the bubble.
We got our first look at crunch time Raptors in the playoffs, and the largest standout was the defense. The Nets gambled with an uber-aggressive defensive scheme and it paid off. However (comma) it forced the Raptors hand, and they did away with prototypical centers down the stretch. The LeVert-Allen pick n’ roll that had seen a decent chunk of success vs. the likes of Gasol and Ibaka had to try and score against the incredible defensive duo of Siakam and Anunoby – it didn’t go well.
Siakam playing that all important middle ground between LeVert and Allen to perfection, with Anunoby giving chase and providing the proper amount of anxiety to a bucket-bound LeVert.
While VanVleet and Gasol are both incredible defenders in their own right, they’ve had a tough time hanging in these screen actions. When LeVert gets downhill, VanVleet’s lack of size doesn’t deter him in the middle of the floor, and he’s flashed a shocking amount of playmaking chops. Gasol has been left in the middle ground to hedge, which has never been his strong suit. Ideally, Gasol could drop on most actions above the break, and blitz ‘side pick n’ rolls’ utilizing his quick hands and the baseline as allies – but with this particular matchup, LeVert can do major damage from the middle of the floor both as a scorer and passer.
The Nets constantly moving carousel of relocating shooters make these actions all the more dangerous. In Game 3 we might see more aggressive defense from the Raptors, since the Nets can’t hang Harris on the weak side anymore to dissuade the Raptors from tagging the roll-man. We all know how disruptive Lowry can be on the back side in rotation, even at his small stature. Without Harris as a release valve, those blitzes on LeVert might look a lot better with the goon, Rodions Kurucs trying to finish possessions. Something to look for.
For the Raptors, they should keep looking to assert Siakam in the offense. If Allen continues to roam out beyond the paint, there’s no reason why Siakam shouldn’t be eating in there. The Nets don’t possess a single defender who should be able to hang with #43. Even though 9 free throw attempts sounds high, it’s actually a little low for how advantageous this series should be for him. There’s been a few hiccups in his finishing game, but he’s already displayed way too fine a touch around the rim to consider that the norm.
Kyle Lowry has been happy to have Fred VanVleet operate as the lead guard in this series, and to be truthful, the whole bubble save for the Lakers game. VanVleet has responded in spades with a growing on-ball game, and an already elite off-ball game. He’s been incredibly good on both ends of the floor. VanVleet’s marksmanship in Game 1 spurred on the Nets defensive change, and I hope we see him take a little bit more advantage of Allen when he gets the switch. He usually tried to take Allen off the dribble, but couldn’t make good on his attempts at the rim. It would likely be better to get rid of the ball, and let somebody else abuse a mismatch and get to the rim. If Allen tries to creep away from VanVleet, give it back to him and let it fly.
All in all… the Raptors should have this. Forget being a gentleman, take the third step on your way to 4-0 sweep.
Game Info
Tipoff: 1:30pm EST | TV: Sportsnet | Radio: TheFan590
Raptors Lineups
PG: Kyle Lowry, Terence Davis II
SG: Fred VanVleet, Norman Powell, Matt Thomas, Paul Watson
SF: OG Anunoby, Malcolm Miller, Stanley Johnson
PF: Pascal Siakam, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Chris Boucher
C: Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Dewan Hernandez
Injured/inactive:
- Patrick McCaw (knee) – out indefinitely
- Oshae Brissett (knee) – day-to-day
Nets Lineups
PG: Caris LeVert, Chris Chiozza
SG: Garrett Temple, Tyler Johnson
SF: Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Justin Anderson
PF: Rodions Kurucs, Lance Thomas
C: Jarrett Allen
Injured/inactive:
- Jamal Crawford – (hamstring) – out indefinitely
- Joe Harris (personal matter) – day-to-day
- Michael Beasley, Taurean Prince, Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan, Wilson Chandler, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant – not in the bubble currently
Enjoy the game, and have a blessed day.
