Rap Up with Adon and Kyle
.grade {background: #315233; padding: 10px; border: 3px solid #977252; color: white; font-size:35px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;
margin-top: 5px}
 | Raptors | 119 | Final Box Score | 104 | Spurs |  |
 B+ | P. Siakam37 MIN, 20 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 7-15 FG, 2-5 3FG, 4-4 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, +11 +/- Pascal had more space to operate with Fred to operate and he took full advantage with 15 first half points on an efficient 6-9 shooting. Was just steady all game, without feeling the burden of having to drag everyone through the mud. | ||||||||
 A | S. Barnes34 MIN, 20 PTS, 8 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 8-12 FG, 0-0 3FG, 4-4 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, +11 +/- Scottie had been averaging over 19 points, 10 boards, four assists and two steals in the five games without Fred, but had an extremely quiet first half. Was a lot more assertive with 12 third quarter points, punishing everyone in the post. Was exhausted on the bench afterwards. Continued his unstoppable offensive play in the fourth quarter. Finished with similar numbers. | ||||||||
 C | K. Birch17 MIN, 4 PTS, 4 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 1-2 FG, 0-0 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, +5 +/- Collided with Dejounte Murray in the third quarter, losing his front tooth and sending both players to the locker room briefly. If it wasn’t for bad luck, Khem wouldn’t have any luck at all. | ||||||||
 A | F. VanVleet34 MIN, 26 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 7-15 FG, 3-8 3FG, 9-10 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, +19 +/- It’s easy to see how Fred makes things easier for everyone, especially Pascal Siakam. VanVleet didn’t look like he missed five games, scoring 21 first half points and also made a couple of plays on defence for easy transition buckets. Fred helped settle things down after the Spurs took a seven point lead in the third. Absolutely took Devin Vassell’s cookies. | ||||||||
 B- | G. Trent Jr.35 MIN, 17 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 5-13 FG, 2-8 3FG, 5-5 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, +11 +/- Two first half plays from Gary stood out. He got blocked by Devin Vassell in the paint (everyone knows he is slumping – 27.2% FG over last five games), but then chased down Keldon Johnson for a poke away steal. Fred ended up with a layup the other way. Trent also responded to a missed three in the second quarter by collecting his own miss, creating space and making one. Shooters shoot. | ||||||||
 B | T. Young20 MIN, 7 PTS, 7 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 3-6 FG, 1-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, +5 +/- Thad’s much anticipated San Antonio return (no). He seems prone to one airball flip shot a game. Took a charge on Doug McDermott Kyle Lowry style. Young didn’t make a three with the Spurs (0-5), but drained one in the corner mid fourth. Thad’s release reminds me of a left handed Marcus Camby. It’s not the same but it’s like a wind up. | ||||||||
 Inc | C. Boucher12 MIN, 3 PTS, 3 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3FG, 1-1 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -3 +/- Boucher grabbed a couple of offensive boards in the first half, but didn’t see any second half run. I don’t know what to make of that. | ||||||||
 B+ | P. Achiuwa21 MIN, 13 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 5-11 FG, 3-5 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, +16 +/- Precious only played four minute in the fist half because of three quick fouls. Made an impact in the second half, including two threes. I give Precious two years to make a video campaigning to participate in the three point shootout. Remember me saying this. | ||||||||
 Inc | Y. Watanabe2 MIN, 2 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 +/- Garbage time medal. | ||||||||
 A- | D. Banton21 MIN, 6 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 3-6 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, +4 +/- Dalano has an extended nine minute look in the first half because even Nick Nurse wouldn’t give Fred a 40 ounce on game one back from knee issues. Set up Siakam for three, and had a nice take for a layup. Good minutes in the fourth as well, finding Precious on a lob and jumping an inbounds pass for a breakaway dunk. | ||||||||
 Inc | S. Mykhailiuk2 MIN, 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 +/- Garbage time medal. | ||||||||
 Inc | A. Brooks4 MIN, 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -4 +/- Brooks only played two first half minutes, but set up Birch nicely who drew a foul. | ||||||||
 A | Nick Nurse Good start by the Raptors but the bench was outscored by nine in the first half, leading to another supbar second quarter. That’s not really a Nurse thing though, just a result of what he has. Key timeout by Nurse down 69-62 early third with the Spurs gaining momentum. The Raptors responded with a 19-6 run to re-take the lead and didn’t look back. The defensive intensity went up several notches. 34 minutes for Fred is perfect. | ||||||||
Things We Saw
- Have to admit it was news to me that the Spurs rank top three in pace, didn’t think it was that high. San Antonio ranked in the bottom five during the LaMarcus Aldridge era but have increasingly sped things up since moving on.
- The Raptors shot over 35 percent from three for the first time in five games.
- C.J. Miles was in the house. Maybe the Raptors could use the old Bench Mob vet for shooting?
- Don Nelson broke the NBA coaching wins record at the Raptors expense back in 2010 when Chris Bosh missed a bunny at the buzzer. Gregg Popovich wasn’t as lucky. The flowers can wait.
