Quick Reaction: Raptors 103, Knicks 120

Samson’s reaction pod:

Sahal and Oren:

TOR Raptors

103

Final
Box Score

120

NY Knicks

K. Birch32 MIN, 8 PTS, 7 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 4-5 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-2 FT, 2 BLK, 0 TO, 15 +/-

Birch has opened up a new dimension for the Raptors offence. Chris Boucher has been primarily used as a pick and pop guy, but Birch has opened up lob and hard roll opportunities for easy baskets. He’s a natural fit at centre beside the more offensive oriented core four.

B+

P. Siakam40 MIN, 26 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 8-19 FG, 5-9 3FG, 5-6 FT, 0 BLK, 3 TO, -12 +/-

Pascal has only been shooting 24 percent from three in April, but that shot was falling today. Siakam made five threes for the first time since Feb 8 at Memphis. People are slow to give Pascal any credit since the bubble disaster, but he’s averaging over 25 points a game in April. A couple of crucial turnovers though as the Raptors were attempting the routine fake comeback.

A+

F. VanVleet40 MIN, 27 PTS, 5 REB, 11 AST, 2 STL, 10-20 FG, 5-10 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -3 +/-

Fred almost singlehandedly drove the Raptors fastbreak engine. Many of his transition points came in the second quarter, where he keeping the Raptors afloat when they were in danger of falling behind by double digits. Great job facilitating and helping on traps to create havoc. Couldn’t ask VanVleet to do more.

K. Lowry36 MIN, 4 PTS, 7 REB, 9 AST, 0 STL, 1-10 FG, 0-8 3FG, 2-2 FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, -3 +/-

The doctor did a great job pushing the pace with passes upcourt to ignite the Raptors fastbreak, but couldn’t find his own shot. Needed Lowry to settle down the second unit, especially early in the 4th when the Knicks bench blew open the game.

O. Anunoby38 MIN, 27 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 9-16 FG, 6-11 3FG, 3-4 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -3 +/-

So good on his corner threes now. Honestly, OG did a solid job when he was matched up against Julius Randle. Those were just tough shots. Anunoby scored 20+ points for the third straight game. That’s the first time he has done that in his career.

G. Trent18 MIN, 4 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 2-8 FG, 0-4 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -33 +/-

Trent was thrilled to have a bigger role in his first 12 games with the Raptors. This is a small sample size off the bench (2 games) but so far it hasn’t been great. Normally Gary shoots himself into a rhythm, and opportunities to do that are scarce now. So he just forces the issue. Eerily similar to the Norman Powell bench curse.

B-

Y. Watanabe14 MIN, 3 PTS, 0 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 1-3 FG, 1-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -22 +/-

Yuta did a solid job hounding on the perimeter as he always does. Obviously less opportunities on the offensive end with everyone back. Continues to shoot the three with confidence.

C+

F. Gillespie12 MIN, 2 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 1-2 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -24 +/-

Miley Cyrus’ biggest fan provided a bit of a defensive presence down low but it didn’t matter because all the Knicks perimeter shots were falling.

M. Flynn5 MIN, 2 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3FG, 2-3 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 +/-

Didn’t get a lot of run in this pivotal game. Had a pretty careless turnover off a really loose dribble, leading to a Knicks basket. Nothing else really of note.

Nick Nurse

Rotations were fine, the Knicks couldn’t miss, and the bench provided next to nothing. Had to start trapping Randle after he proved to be unstoppable one on one. Tried a small lineup late with Trent in for shooting, but then the boards hurt.