Quick Reaction: Raptors 133, Nets 97

Rap Up with Sahal, Adon and Kyle

Raptors

133

Final
Box Score

Nets

C+

P. Siakam30 MIN, 8 PTS, 3 REB, 6 AST, 3 STL, 2-14 FG, 1-5 3FG, 3-3 FT, 2 BLK, 1 TO, +24 +/-

Pascal’s scoring slump continued, missing a lot of bunnies and routine shots. However he did a great job finding open shooters. The bench big trio of Achiuwa, Boucher and Young made a pair of first half threes, many of which were assisted by Pascal who had six in the first half. He also had a couple blocks and really let Blake Griffin hear about one of them.

A+

S. Barnes34 MIN, 28 PTS, 16 REB, 4 AST, 5 STL, 12-14 FG, 1-1 3FG, 3-4 FT, 1 BLK, 5 TO, +30 +/-

This is hands down Scottie’s best performance and it literally started on the opening tip, taking the ball away from James Johnson and forcing a foul by nearly dunking on him. The rook was an absolute demon on the offensive glass (7 in first half), tipping in nearly every miss. He went 10-10 from the field. 24 pts / 9 reb / 4 stl / 2 ast in the first half alone. Was quiet in the second half but had a massive seat on Nic Claxton. Stat stuffer supreme, tying his career-high in points.

K. Birch10 MIN, 0 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-1 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, +2 +/-

Nick Nurse pondered starting Achiuwa for Birch after the Hawks game, and tonight won’t help Khem’s case. He picked up three fouls in four minutes and didn’t return to the court in the first half because once again Precious elevated the team. Didn’t do anything noteworthy in his six minute second half stint.

A+

M. Flynn34 MIN, 18 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 7-11 FG, 3-5 3FG, 1-2 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, +42 +/-

Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. Flynn made his second start of the season and took full advantage. He did a great job pushing the pace and getting the team in early offence, something we’ve seen from Dalano Banton a lot. Some hockey assists. Took advantage of straight line drives for layups when the opportunity was there. Also had the confidence to jab step and fire a three over Blake Griffin. Made a couple of zone busting threes in the second half and was also a defensive pest. Just super impressive stuff.

B+

G. Trent Jr.30 MIN, 12 PTS, 0 REB, 5 AST, 5 STL, 3-10 FG, 1-5 3FG, 5-7 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, +25 +/-

Gary had been averaging 29 points in the six games without Fred VanVleet, but wasn’t in a scoring rhythm early. However Trent did a great job pressuring the ball with three first half steals. He also had three first quarter assists, setting up great scoring opportunities and helping Toronto pull away. Smart decisions on the drive and kick.

T. Young15 MIN, 11 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 4-6 FG, 3-3 3FG, 0-2 FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, +18 +/-

Thad had his best stint as a Raptor in the first half. That ball fake layup on Bruce Brown was sweet. He also blocked the hell out of Brown on a three point attempt for a 24 second violation. Young’s three point shots take a while to get off, but he was effective making them tonight. If Thad can do that consistently, that’s a welcome surprise.

C. Boucher12 MIN, 8 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 3-6 FG, 2-4 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, +5 +/-

Boucher provided solid minutes. Joined Thad and Precious making first half threes, which have been a bonus this season. Was quick to fire them too. Solid on defence.

A+

P. Achiuwa24 MIN, 20 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 8-14 FG, 3-5 3FG, 1-3 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, +25 +/-

Precious has the confidence to do anything right now. He’s comfortable defending guards on switches, he made a three above the break. Also had no issues taking on Andre Drummond from half court at the end of the shot clock after the play broke down. Precious has had trouble finishing at the rim this season, but not recently. He took on contact for buckets numerous times in this game.

B+

D.J. Wilson6 MIN, 6 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 3-4 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -1 +/-

D.J. is back with the Raptors on a third 10-day contract. Also got some fourth quarter run. Came up limping a bit after taking an awkward step but thankfully returned to the court. Made a jumper and got a dunk afterwards.

Y. Watanabe13 MIN, 7 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 3-5 FG, 1-2 3FG, 0-1 FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, +6 +/-

Yuta saw early 2nd quarter minutes, which is a rarity these days. Great read for a cut to the basket where Barnes found him. How about the POSTER on Kessler Edwards mid fourth! That made the entire Raptors bench explode. You get an A for that alone. Scottie is a tough judge though, only giving it an 8/10.

B+

J. Champagnie10 MIN, 2 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 1-3 FG, 0-2 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -2 +/-

Fourth quarter minutes. Some mini stat stuffing.

D. Banton13 MIN, 5 PTS, 0 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 2-6 FG, 1-2 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, +8 +/-

Got some minutes with the game out of hand. Malachi found him for a transition dunk. Looked good making a three! He’s been working on that in his 905 stints.

B+

S. Mykhailiuk10 MIN, 8 PTS, 0 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 3-5 FG, 2-4 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -2 +/-

Fourth quarter minutes. Was nice to see him make a few shots. Obviously basketball is secondary for Svi right now.

A+

Nick Nurse

Definitely a sense of urgency early by Nurse, throwing in the full court press in the first quarter which resulted in a couple of turnovers. The decision to start Flynn couldn’t have worked out any better. Nurse went with a nine man rotation until the fourth quarter. Half court offence vs the zone is still a problem, but Brooklyn could not grab defensive rebounds. Nobody played 35 minutes! The Raptors also had a season-high in assists.