Fan Duel Toronto Raptors

Quick Reaction: Raptors 104, Celtics 103

Sweet lord. TOR Raptors 104 Final Box Score 103 BOS Celtics B+ P. Siakam37 MIN, 16 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 6-15 FG, 1-4 3FG, 3-4 FT, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 12 +/- An unspeakably bad opening frame, and not much better in the second quarter. Fouling too often and bringing nothing of…

Sweet lord.

TOR Raptors104Final
Box Score
103BOS Celtics

B+
P. Siakam37 MIN, 16 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 6-15 FG, 1-4 3FG, 3-4 FT, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 12 +/-

An unspeakably bad opening frame, and not much better in the second quarter. Fouling too often and bringing nothing of substance on offense. The second half was a completely different animal, though. He was sharp picking his spots, incredibly affecting defensively, and maybe just maybe, created a platform to build from in the rest of the series.

A+
O. Anunoby45 MIN, 12 PTS, 10 REB, 1 AST, 3 STL, 4-8 FG, 3-5 3FG, 1-2 FT, 2 BLK, 1 TO, 0 +/-

A ++++++. Not only was he a picture perfect defender on Tatum, but he hit THAT shot. THAT shot. An absolute king. The Raptors second best player, and a masterclass defensively. Can’t say enough good things about this dude.

B+
M. Gasol26 MIN, 10 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 0 STL, 5-9 FG, 0-3 3FG, 0-1 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 5 +/-

His hesitation to shoot can be absolutely crippling for the offense at times, but he worked on the roll tonight and he’s without question the best defensive option at the 5. Big game for him. If that jumper comes around…

A+
K. Lowry46 MIN, 31 PTS, 6 REB, 8 AST, 2 STL, 13-23 FG, 2-8 3FG, 3-4 FT, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 2 +/-

KLOE. A battering ram on the way to the rim. Unbelievable amount of control while finishing under that much contact all the time. The pull up three isn’t all the way back, but it’s coming. Super sharp rotations on the back end. He was a super hero tonight.

A
F. VanVleet40 MIN, 25 PTS, 3 REB, 6 AST, 0 STL, 9-22 FG, 5-13 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 5 TO, -4 +/-

Lowry operated as the PG, and Fred the off-ball shotmaker. Not only did he have that incredible layup to tie things up at the end, but his bombs from downtown were life giving and sustaining for the Raptors offense. Rolling in the right direction.

B
S. Ibaka21 MIN, 2 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1-6 FG, 0-3 3FG, 0-0 FT, 2 BLK, 2 TO, -4 +/-

There are times that he gets lost on defense, but he also pops on occasion. When he pops, the Raptors get to run out in transition. The offensive punch wasn’t there, but it will be there next game, no doubt.

B
N. Powell15 MIN, 8 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 3-4 FG, 2-3 3FG, 0-3 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -8 +/-

A lackadaisical approach to defense off the start. Marching the Celtics to the line with careless fouls. However (comma) the man brought it back with some shot making in the 4th quarter, which in a 1-point win, turned out to be a huge deal.

Inc
M. Thomas5 MIN, 0 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 +/-

Missed his only triple, but played a string of impressive defensive possessions. He might get more minutes in this series.

A
Nick Nurse

Finally unleashed OG on Tatum and the benefits were massive in this one. Let his players stay in with foul trouble, and rightfully hit the gas on the important players minutes. Well done.

Things We Saw

  1. OG’s reaction to his 3-point was incredible comedy. The man is the king of deadpan.
  2. I have no idea how Lowry continues to play at this level. He is headed to the HOF, and next to Chris Paul, is one of the greatest small guards of all time.
  3. The work isn’t done, not nearly, but this is a huge development. The Raptors are starting to turn the tide from downtown, and let’s hope it breaks out into a tsunami.