Quick Reaction: Raptors 113, 76ers 125

.grade {background: #315233; padding: 10px; border: 3px solid #977252; color: white; font-size:35px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;
margin-top: 5px}

Samson and Zarar on Rap Up:

Raptors

113

Final
Box Score

125

76ers

C+	P. Achiuwa23 MIN, 10 PTS, 8 REB, 0 AST, 3 STL, 5-11 FG, 0-1 3FG, 1- FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, -2 +/- It felt like he was pressing tonight, or he has heard quite a bit about the team’s issue being at the center position. Precious didn’t have that spark or confidence in transition or the bounce we saw on defense a few days ago. But then again – dealing with Joel Embiid can take a lot out of you.
B+	O. Anunoby30 MIN, 22 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 4 STL, 8-14 FG, 4-7 3FG, 2- FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, -12 +/- I really liked what I saw from him tonight. Force feeding OG reps will benefit him and the entire team, especially when the Raps are unable to shake off a scoring drought. However, there will clearly be ups and downs with the process, especially with reading the double.

B-	S. Barnes26 MIN, 8 PTS, 3 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 3-7 FG, 0-1 3FG, 2- FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -6 +/- Tonight’s performance wasn’t necessarily the highlight reel that the preseason opener was, but we’re continuing to get glimpses of the Swiss Army knife type of role Nick plans to give Scottie. Foul trouble might be an issue, but you’ll take that with the energy and potential he consistently flashes. Give us more Scottie on the block!

C	G. Dragic22 MIN, 2 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 0 STL, 0-4 FG, 0-3 3FG, 2- FT, 0 BLK, 3 TO, -1 +/- I want to like Goran. I really do. But I’ve yet to see what made me hate playing against Goran in the past. Where is the Raptor killer? Let’s chalk it up to a vet coasting through preseason.
B+	F. VanVleet29 MIN, 17 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 7-13 FG, 3-9 3FG, 0- FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, -10 +/- Through two preseason games against Philadelphia, he’s lived up to his moniker, providing his teammates with a stable presence. I’m looking forward to seeing what he does with extended minutes in meaningful games.

Inc	R. Perry5 MIN, 4 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3FG, 4- FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, +10 +/- Need to see more from the former Long Island Net, but it feels like the Paul Watson Jr. we created in NBA 2K22 got deleted and now we’re starting over with a 60 overall build.
F	F. Gillespie5 MIN, 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-1 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0- FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -8 +/- Gillespie is someone you want to root for, but his struggles that stem from Summer League are still very apparent. Andre Drummond had his way with him, and though everyone on the Raptors had difficulty dealing with the big man, you expect Gillespie to put up some kind of fight if he is to make the team.

B-	J. Champagnie23 MIN, 10 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 3-6 FG, 0-2 3FG, 4- FT, 1 BLK, 2 TO, -8 +/- It seems like every time Justin touches the ball, something good happens. Bless his heart for being respectable defensively against Drummond.

C	M. Flynn18 MIN, 13 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 4-8 FG, 3-5 3FG, 2- FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -2 +/- Despite Kyle leaving, it seems like the momentum Malachi built up last season was left behind in Tampa. He hasn’t found the minutes that other players have received but he hasn’t popped during the time he’s been on the floor.
C	D. Banton12 MIN, 2 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 1-3 FG, 0-2 3FG, 2- FT, 1 BLK, 3 TO, +3 +/- He struggled early and couldn’t find a rhythm in garbage time. A work in progress.
B	S. Mykhailiuk19 MIN, 11 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 5-7 FG, 1-2 3FG, 0- FT, 1 BLK, 2 TO, -18 +/- Other than OG, Svi was my favourite Raptor on the court tonight. It’s still early, but he could be a candidate to take minutes away from several Raptors, including Gary Trent Jr.
C+	G. Trent Jr.22 MIN, 12 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 5-12 FG, 0-5 3FG, 2- FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -14 +/- It’s his first game back, but not much has changed for Gary Trent Jr. He’s brilliant when he’s on and frustrating when he goes cold. Like for OG, Scottie and many others, this is a developmental year for the most fashionable Raptor.

Inc	I. Bonga6 MIN, 2 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0- FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, +8 +/- Bonga is a super interesting prospect. He has that required length to be a Raptor, is smooth with the ball in transition and flashes vision. Raptors 905 should be loads of fun this year.
B	Nick Nurse Nick was never going to show anything tonight, but we did see a bit of what he plans to do against dominant centers. It’ll be interesting to see how he distributes minutes across the remaining preseason games after going heavy on playing time for his starters tonight.