 | Raptors | 113 | Final Box Score | 104 | Knicks |  |
 D+ | P. Achiuwa17 MIN, 2 PTS, 9 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1-9 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0- FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, -11 +/- Yet another tough game for Precious, and at this point his starting spot should be in jeopardy. A bench role would free up Precious to be more creative, without taking valuable touches away from your best players. The starters need a stable fifth guy who doesn’t try to do too much,and Achiuwa doesn’t fit this mould (at least not yet). | ||||||||
 A+ | O. Anunoby41 MIN, 36 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 13-27 FG, 4-12 3FG, 7- FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, +15 +/- The playmaking is still nowhere to be found, but on nights like tonight it doesn’t matter. OG carried the Raps offensively and maintained his efficiency despite a huge shot volume. Playing like this on a big stage like New York should put him in the All Star conversation. | ||||||||
 A- | F. VanVleet37 MIN, 17 PTS, 9 REB, 8 AST, 2 STL, 7-16 FG, 3-8 3FG, 0- FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 +/- Ran the offence during the immense 3rd quarter, and was the responsible presence the Raptors needed to close this game out. His shooting remains somewhat shaky, but at least he managed to cut out the turnovers. | ||||||||
 B+ | S. Mykhailiuk35 MIN, 15 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 5-7 FG, 2-4 3FG, 3- FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, +8 +/- Started in place of Scottie, and gave the Raptors good minutes. It’ll be interesting to see if he stays in the rotation when Yuta and Siakam return. | ||||||||
 A- | G. Trent Jr.43 MIN, 26 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 4 STL, 10-22 FG, 4-11 3FG, 2- FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, +15 +/- Excellent defensively again. The only problem with Gary at this point is that he doesn’t possess the requisite playmaking ability to fully run an offence. The Raps need him to develop enough court vision to at least be a secondary ball handler, because as of right now Trent is averaging just over 1 assist per game. Since joining the Raptors, he’s already made incredible progress on the defensive end –– hopefully the passing comes next. | ||||||||
 C- | C. Boucher10 MIN, 2 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 1-4 FG, 0-3 3FG, 0- FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, -4 +/- When Boucher’s shot isn’t falling, it’s hard to understand why he’s even out there. Chris is looking like the odd man out when Siakam returns. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Raptors move him before the trade deadline. | ||||||||
 B+ | J. Champagnie7 MIN, 2 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0-2 FG, 0-0 3FG, 2- FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, +5 +/- The Brooklyn native stepped up and gave the Raptors quality minutes at the end of the 2nd and beginning of the 4th. Although he’ll likely be relegated to the bench when Scottie returns, it’s comforting to know that the Raps have quality depth in basically every position. | ||||||||
 A+ | K. Birch31 MIN, 6 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 3-6 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0- FT, 1 BLK, 2 TO, +20 +/- Birch is Toronto’s most consistent big, and it’s time to bring him into the starting lineup. His hands are quick, his work ethic is unbelievable, and he is completely selfless out there. This is exactly the type of player that fits with the starters. | ||||||||
 B+ | M. Flynn11 MIN, 3 PTS, 0 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 1-3 FG, 1-2 3FG, 0- FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, +4 +/- Flynn looked like he had something to prove tonight. Malachi shot the ball well, and offered some valuable playmaking. I’d like to see more of him going forward. | ||||||||
 B+ | D. Banton9 MIN, 4 PTS, 3 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 2-3 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0- FT, 2 BLK, 0 TO, -7 +/- Nurse went away from Banton quickly tonight, and it paid off. Dalano didn’t have a bad night, but wasn’t effective enough to warrant minutes over the staring group. | ||||||||
 A+ | Nick Nurse Credit to Nurse for rolling with this young guys to close the 2nd quarter. The run they went was essential in keeping the game competitive, and set the Raps up for a big 3rd quarter. Overall, Nick understood the flow of the game well and was a big reason Toronto came out with a win. Hopefully he gives the guys an off day tomorrow, they’ll need it. | ||||||||
Things We Saw
- The Raps really missed Scottie Barnes’ tonight. Defensively, had no answers for the Knicks bigs and on the offensive end there was a notable lack of activity, especially on the offensive glass. Although they escaped New York with a win, they’ll be hoping for his return ASAP.
- Ever since the days of Steve Nash the dream for Raptors fans is that a young Canadian star longs to return home, and chooses to sign for Toronto in Free Agency. RJ Barrett, born in Toronto, could be that star. Let’s hope that Dalano and the other Canadian Raptors were recruiting as hard as possible.
- The Goran Dragic move has been a disaster. It’s obvious at this point they can’t move him, but the situation is even more dire than that. The Raptors won’t even offer Dragic meaningful minutes because it’ll only further depress his trade value. By all accounts he seems to be a positive locker room presence, but if he eventually grows tired of riding the bench this situation has the potential to become ugly.
