Quick Reaction: Raptors 112, Pistons 116

Monstrous dunk out of the pick and roll with his first involved touch of the game. However, he was buried by Mason Plumlee in the post the other way, which was thematic of the night: Boucher struggled against Detroit’s size. Nurse separated Boucher from Plumlee in the second half, starting Baynes instead, and it helped Boucher’s defense dramatically. That being said, Boucher faced Plumlee to close the game and absolutely dominated. So it’s not like Boucher isn’t able. His scoring was integral late.

Not much remains to be said about his recent stretch of brilliance. He remained the offense despite the return of Toronto’s two stars to the starting lineup. Killer, as has been the case for a while. Hit his jumpers, cut well, scored 16 points in the first quarter. He didn’t cool off after that. He drove, dunked, cut, shot, even passed well. His offense was Toronto’s only route to paydirt, which has been the case for the past week, too. HIt a miracle three plus the foul in clutch time, down six, then hit another miracle vault-up three later. New career high; that last one didn’t live for long. Individual performances don’t get much better.

He was unbelievable to start the game. Threw two picturesque passes to Boucher, one off the bounce in the pick and roll, and one a wraparound in the air off the drive. He was active on both ends, even guarding Jerami Grant in the post a bunch in the second half. He somehow took a variety of smacks to the head, in addition to multiple charges in transition. Got frustrated at times that teammates weren’t at home to receive his passes. On the negative end, he didn’t do much scoring of his own, and Toronto surely needed it. That lack was enough to unravel some of the the positives his passing and defense offered Toronto.

He started the game off the ball, letting Kyle handle most of the point guard duties. Got his first points on a circus leaner to beat the shot clock. Followed that up with a no-look hook pass over his head (!) to Baynes for a layup. His defense, too, improved to his standard elite level in the second half, even if his shooting didn’t. That’s fine though, as with Siakam, his return is only good things, and he’ll improve with each game.

Opened the game with a mid-range pull-up, which he drained smoothly and calmly. Toronto has missed smooth and calm. He lacked his usual physicality in the post, but that’s to be expected. He was much more physical in the second half, beating both Jerami Grant and Plumlee whenever he roamed off of Baynes to help. His defense was phenomenal, particularly to close the game. But his conditioning limited him. That’s going to happen; it’s wonderful to have him back, and he’ll improve with each game.

Hit a post fadeaway on his first touch of the game, so that was wonderful. Still had trouble on the glass and some difficulty finishing, though he did throw down a big lefty jam out of the pick and roll from Lowry. Beyond his individual play, Detroit allowed Plumlee to roam across the entire court and abandon Baynes completely on the offensive end. The Raptors didn’t look to punish them by getting Baynes open jumpers; instead, they allowed Plumlee to challenge shots he had no business being near. Toronto won his minutes, though, as even though his individual rebounding was lacking, the team rebounded better with him on the court.

Was Toronto’s first player off the bench, along with Stan. Really helped settle Toronto’s defense down, and he had a few great stands against Josh Jackson on the drive. Moved his feet and didn’t foul, which is all you need to do when you have Watson’s immense length. Also nailed a buzzer beating three to close the first quarter. Didn’t offer much after the first quarter.

He started the second quarter, which coincidentally was when Detroit opened in zone. Of course, Thomas hit a corner triple on the first possession. He sprinted into his shots with confidence, even the one he didn’t make. Threw a gorgeous hit-ahead bouncer to Boucher when he got blitzed coming around a flare screen. Didn’t get much opportunity after an early stint.

Was Toronto’s first player off the bench, along with Watson. He was quiet, aside from a few inexplicable fouls.

Came into the game during the second quarter, and he didn’t make an immediate impression, which is usually his modus operandi.

Was relatively hamstrung, in terms of having few offensive options, especially with Lowry’s scoring wayward. But he probably chose the incorrect center rotation pattern for the first half, and he didn’t find sets to get his guys going outside of Norm. Could have done more.