Fan Duel Toronto Raptors

Quick Reaction: Raptors 103, Jazz 119

0-2 on the six game road trip. 7-9 overall.

Raptors103Final
Box Score
119Jazz

F
P. Siakam31 MIN, 4 PTS, 3 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 2-14 FG, 0-4 3FG, 0- FT, 0 BLK, 4 TO, -9 +/-

Expected Pascal to be more assertive offensively with OG Anunoby out, but that didn’t happen. Only two points in a really quiet first half, but did have four assists. I didn’t like Pascal passing out of the post with Donovan Mitchell on him in the third even though Fred VanVleet drew a foul on the play. Overall the shot wasn’t falling and couldn’t finish at the rim. Just out of rhythm overall. No rebounds through three quarters from your starting PF in a game where the Raptors are outsized already is NOT a good look.

B-
S. Barnes35 MIN, 10 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 5-11 FG, 0-2 3FG, 0- FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, -10 +/-

Scottie did a good job finding guys after offensive rebounds. Would like to see more things ran for him. Had one play in the third where he faked the dribble handoff for the elbow jumper after Bojan Bogdanovic gave him space. Some of the passiveness is on him too though.

B+
K. Birch24 MIN, 14 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 6-8 FG, 0-0 3FG, 3- FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -5 +/-

Birch slid into the starting lineup seamlessly. Very opportunistic scoring in the first half. The short roll with Fred VanVleet was working to perfection. Foul trouble took him out of his rhythm. Utah took the game in the third when he was out. Didn’t score in the second half.

B+
F. VanVleet34 MIN, 24 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL, 7-17 FG, 3-8 3FG, 8- FT, 2 BLK, 2 TO, -7 +/-

Fred’s “bet on yourself” run in the second quarter where he made three straight treys was beautiful, especially the size up and three Bogdanovic’s face. He tied Terrence Ross for third on the franchise list in threes made during that span. The goal with Fred this season is to somehow have him NOT lead the league in minutes per game. That seems like mission impossible though, considering how uncertain everything looks when he’s not on the court.

A
G. Trent Jr.33 MIN, 31 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 12-18 FG, 5-11 3FG, 2- FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -12 +/-

Great shooting rhythm for Gary all game. He’s gotten better knowing which shots to take as the season has progressed. Consistently starting without interruptions likely has a lot to do with that. Good job getting separation off the dribble too. I don’t like giving A’s in blowout losses, but from an expectation standpoint Trent couldn’t have done much more. Season high in points.

C+
C. Boucher17 MIN, 2 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 1-7 FG, 0-3 3FG, 0- FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, -11 +/-

Boucher had a hard time finishing at the rim. You could argue he was fouled a time or two, but that’s where the tale of the tape goes against Boucher – going at Gobert who has the advantage across the board. in other cases, just gotta finish stronger. Did a better job than most defending the pick and roll that killed the Raptors.

B-
J. Champagnie8 MIN, 4 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 2-2 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0- FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, +5 +/-

Garbage time minutes. Made a jumper from Scottie in the paint and cut to the rim off an assist from Dalano.

C
M. Flynn22 MIN, 5 PTS, 6 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 2-9 FG, 1-6 3FG, 0- FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, +5 +/-

Malachi easily got his longest run of the season. He only played double figure minutes in one game this season prior. Provided pretty good minutes, evidenced by Nick Nurse’s decision to insert him in again mid third. His second stint didn’t go as well – shots were off and a turnover

C
D. Banton17 MIN, 6 PTS, 0 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 1-4 FG, 0-0 3FG, 4- FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, -18 +/-

Lost a few minutes to Flynn. Had a couple of turnovers in the first half being a little out of control. Game had already gotten out of hand when he returned.

C
S. Mykhailiuk18 MIN, 3 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 1-4 FG, 1-4 3FG, 0- FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -18 +/-

Short run in the first half. Nothing stood out to me. Made a three in garbage time. He needs to be more aggressive coming into games like he was a couple of weeks ago.

C
Nick Nurse

First quarter defence was a masterclass of doing everything wrong. Open shooters galore as we routinely see off overhelping, and no presence to stop Gobert or Whiteside inside either on pick and rolls. Much better job of being disruptive and closing out on shooters in the second quarter. Went back to ugly in the third. Flynn wasn’t doing anything in that quarter, that stint probably went too long. Nurse has mentioned numerous times postgame how many shots he wants Scottie Barnes to take, but not much is ran for him so how sway?

Things We Saw

  1. BENCH MOB: The Raptors bench was thoroughly outplayed by Hassan Whiteside, Rudy Gay, Joe Ingles and Jordan Clarkson. Ingles killed them especially finding Jazz bigs for easy dunks and the occasional giftwrapped open shots. Toronto’s bench only had 12 of the 113 points in Portland on Monday. Nobody scored more than six points, while Utah’s bench combined for 57. Need a lot more.
  2. THREES: I already glossed over this but just to drive it home. The Raptors have allowed 15+ three pointers in three straight games. Eventually this has to be addressed no? I’m tired of seeing “How many open threes Nicholas?” on the timeline.
  3. ROAD TRIP: Sacramento is the second leg of a back to back, and then Golden State. Who knows how long OG is out. Not trying to be a debbie downer but oh boy.