The grade + stats website won’t load anything for me, so you get this.
Pascal Siakam: Had a few defensive lapses early on that led to points for the Bulls, but tightened things up on that end a lot as the game wore on. His offensive manipulation was masterful in the first half, as he planted layups and dunks in his teammates hands and got to the bucket on his own. The second half was quieter for him as his shots seemed determined to touch every part of the rim and no part of the mesh, but this was still a very impressive overall game. A-
OG Anunoby: Relative to role, I thought he had the best performance tonight. He was by far the most impactful defender on DeRozan in this one, and he made more than a handful of good decisions as a featured offensive decision maker in this game. His two threes in OT are the reason things didn’t get incredibly hairy down the stretch. Just really damn good basketball. A
Fred VanVleet: Had some trouble with Ayo at the POA. Couldn’t mix him up as much as he wanted to, and the shotmaking wasn’t in the best place it’s ever been. However, he moved the Raptors through reads, deferred often enough to other players that were on, and the defense was there. Quality stuff, even when he’s not at his best. ALL-STAR. B+
Gary Trent Jr. – The inferno shot-making hasn’t carried over, but a bit of the shot selection has. Thought the process on offense was strong, even if it was a bit underwhelming. Some mistakes on defense both in ball pressure situations and as a rotating player, but stuck his hand in some cookie jars successfully. If this is a quiet game for him going forward, that’s immense. B
Scottie Barnes: A really confusing defensive night. A few really promising plays in isolation, but man was lost in help-side stuff. Made heaps of mistakes on that end. But, boy oh boy was he awesome on the other side of things. Spaced out to the best of his ability, flashed middle to help out the stars, leaked out in transition and pressed the offensive glass for the tying bucket. So sharp. But, the defense really held him back in this one. B
Chris Boucher: Awesome game. Defensively, he was on. Offensively, he brought it. Rotations on one end, cuts on the other. His work rate was palpable and the Raptors really felt his presence. He was spectacular in a pinch. A
Precious Achiuwa: Thought he was good enough to warrant more minutes, but Boucher was even better. Fit in really well in the weirdo big lineups, and as has been the case with him all season: Offense = struggle. Defense = really good. A mixed bag, as per usual. C+
Dalano Banton: Squeezed into the Raptors weirdo jumbo lineups with one good stretch and one underwhelming stretch. Which has been the case for a little bit now. Liked his decision making for the most part, he hunted transition even if it never came, and even though there were a few defensive mistakes I think you can see the positives to him being on the court on that end. C+
Khem: Got a blow in. Contested a shot successfully. INC
Nurse: Was on a TV show! Has been coaching the hell out of these guys (I think). The set play at the end of regulation worked, so that’s big ups for a coach. A
