 | Rockets | 92 | Final Box Score | 107 | Raptors |  |
 B+ | P. Achiuwa19 MIN, 17 PTS, 5 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 7-11 FG, 1-2 3FG, 3- FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, +12 +/- Those back-to-back possessions with Precious checking Kevin Porter Jr. on the perimeter is probably my favourite sequence of the preseason so far. It’s the perfect example of what this team is capable of on defense and potentially negates some of the intentional switching good playoff teams will look to use against us. | |
 A- | O. Anunoby17 MIN, 17 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 5-10 FG, 3-6 3FG, 4- FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, +14 +/- Alperen Sengun is going to appear on The Old Man and the Three with JJ Redick podcast talking about how one of his ‘welcome to the NBA’ moments was when he was bodied by OG on a baseline drive in a preseason game. | |
 B | S. Barnes26 MIN, 10 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 3 STL, 5-10 FG, 0-2 3FG, 0- FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, +7 +/- I like that he was more aggressive and looked for his own shot. Teams will eventually play him for his passing and DHOs, so he needs to continue getting comfortable with shooting, especially that midrange jumper that will likely often be there. | |
 B- | F. VanVleet16 MIN, 3 PTS, 2 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 1-5 FG, 1-4 3FG, 0- FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, +20 +/- I think he was slightly limping at the end of the second quarter. When this team is at full strength, there might be enough playmaking for him to occasionally play as the off ball guard. | |
 C+ | G. Trent Jr.18 MIN, 9 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 3 STL, 3-8 FG, 1-3 3FG, 4- FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, +9 +/- He’s never going to consistently get calls with that awkward scoop layup or being allergic to contact. However, I do prefer Gary with the other heavy usage starters because he plays with less of a gunslinger mentality but still provides that needed spacing. | |
 C+ | I. Wainright15 MIN, 6 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 2-4 FG, 2-4 3FG, 0- FT, 0 BLK, 3 TO, -3 +/- Hit consecutive threes and threw his body around. The air ball after the David Johnson behind-the-back was a letdown but he has a frame Joey Graham would be proud of. | |
 Inc | R. Perry8 MIN, 4 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 1-4 FG, 0-1 3FG, 2- FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -9 +/- This final is going to be really important for Reggie. | |
 C- | S. Dekker12 MIN, 0 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-4 FG, 0-2 3FG, 0- FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -2 +/- Big Shot Sam couldn’t knock down a single attempt. He’s on a team that needs shooting, so tonight wasn’t a good outing. | |
 Inc | F. Gillespie4 MIN, 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0- FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 0 +/- Didn’t get in until the tail end of garbage time. With Birch back, the writing is on the wall for Freddie. He still has a chance to make some noise but he’s running out of time. | |
 C | J. Champagnie14 MIN, 3 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 2 STL, 1-4 FG, 1-2 3FG, 0- FT, 1 BLK, 2 TO, -3 +/- It’s wild how much of a difference playing with the rotation can make. Justin was on the court with the back end of the roster tonight and he looked invisible. | |
 Inc | K. Birch17 MIN, 2 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3FG, 2- FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, +12 +/- Between Banton and Birch, we’ve got plenty of meaningful and exciting CanCon this year. | |
 B- | M. Flynn17 MIN, 15 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 6-9 FG, 3-5 3FG, 1- FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -7 +/- I enjoyed seeing Malachi excel tonight, even if it was against fringe players. It wasn’t too long ago when he was admirably filling in as the lead guard with Kyle and Fred calling it a season. This was surely a confidence booster. | |
 B | D. Banton14 MIN, 9 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 4-5 FG, 1-2 3FG, 0- FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, +12 +/- It has been talked about before, but it seems like he fits this team better than Malachi does. I’d love to see what Dalano can do for us defensively at the top of a 3-2 zone or in the box and one. | |
 Inc | D. Johnson13 MIN, 0 PTS, 3 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 0-3 FG, 0-3 3FG, 0- FT, 0 BLK, 3 TO, -6 +/- Like Banton and Bonga, I’d love to see David Johnson get early minutes in the final tune up game. | |
 B- | S. Mykhailiuk20 MIN, 10 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 3 STL, 4-10 FG, 2-5 3FG, 0- FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, +3 +/- Svi doesn’t blow you away with anything, but he does a little bit of everything well. That’s the perfect player to have coming off the bench. | |
 C+ | I. Bonga11 MIN, 2 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 0 STL, 1-2 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0- FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, +16 +/- He surprisingly got early minutes and he continues to flash very intriguing traits. The energy, offball cuts, the handle in the open court and the vision all pop. Isaac is super raw but let’s see what the Raptors development team can do with him. | |
 Inc | G. Dragic MIN, PTS, REB, AST, STL, – FG, – 3FG, – FT, BLK, TO, +/- We may not see Goran again until the opener! This is the way. | |
 B | Nick Nurse The real work now begins for Nick. I’m curious to see how he handles the rotation for the final curtain call. | |
Things We Saw
- In past years, the Raps often struggled against younger and less structured teams. I think that finally changes this year.
- Bonga over Gillespie? That’s not good for everyone’s favourite midseason Tampa pickup.
- With the starters likely sitting out or seeing very little playing time for the rest of the preseason, we’re about to see some messy but fun youthful basketball.
