O.G. Anunoby makes up a large part of the Toronto Raptors, but that doesn’t always reveal itself in the shot-attempts column. It was still a bit extreme to take one shot in his 22 minutes of action in three quarters. This is where he found himself and the Raptors in three quarters of action against the Miami HeatMonday night’s game saw a terrible 95.9 offensive rating, and a disappointing 36.9% shooting percentage.
If you had doubts about the Raptors, this was at the heart of it — not Anunoby specifically, but the way the Raptors move, or don’t move, the ball. Anunoby’s shot attempts are a revealing sign of how well the Raptors are sharing the ball. The question of whether he wants to play a bigger role or not is irrelevant. Anunoby, who is an important and valuable player, should be the fifth offensive option in a starting lineup. As the Raptors got bogged down in one-man forays as a halftime lead turned into a deficit very quickly, the ball didn’t get swung around the arc hardly ever. The weak side could have played in a different arena.
Although the ball may sometimes get stuck, the Raptors don’t get stuck which is their greatest trait. No, it wasn’t Anunoby who hit the dagger on Monday night in a 98-90 win in Miami. Gary Trent, however, stepped back into the corner following a lovely swing pass. Fred VanVleetThat was followed Pascal SiakamMoving the ball when Siakam drew more attention. Siakam, a brilliant player to begin the season, had a rough night up until the fourth quarter. To be able paired huge shotsIt’s cool to make responsible passes and win a game that was loaded on him all night. With eight assists and 10 buckets, the Raptors were able to work things out.
Gary Trent Jr. is the ice breaker for the Raptors, using a CLUTCH 3 😤
Toronto takes the title after a 25-9 run at the end of Q4.#KiaTipOff22 pic.twitter.com/v983hKRRbm
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2022
But, mainly, this moment and all that preceded it are confirmation that the Raptors have essentially lived up to their rotation of a year ago through four games. They are not perfect but they are resilient.
On SaturdayThey reduced their deficit of 24 points to three in the final quarter. Two nights later, they scored 25 of the game’s final 34 points after Duncan RobinsonA 3-pointer was the bomb. Even with the forced turnovers and offensive rebounding binges that are certain to come, the Raptors will prove to be an annoying team to play against every night, even though they are frustrating to watch almost as often.
Take into account the following:
• Precious Achiuwa might be turning into the new Patrick Patterson in that he plays starter’s minutes without starting. He played 34 in the absence Scottie BarnesThis is difficult to do if you’re not playing within the first five minute of each half. There are 38 minutes left.
Achiuwa, with his 22 rebounds, has been unrepressible thus far. ManyThey are all very good. It is difficultThey were hugely successful against the Heat. Together with Chris BoucherAfter missing the previous three games with a hamstring injury, he was able to play his first game. His energetic, chaotic style will reflect how the Raptors want them to play. (Boucher was also effective, but he picked up five fouls during his 12 minutes.
Precious Achiuwa and the RACK🔨
NBA League Pass: Q1: The Raptors lead the Raptors by 7 #KiaTipOff22
📲 https://t.co/1pomQZN8Pi pic.twitter.com/iMZC6gKjXV
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2022
• Just like last season, Raptors coach Nick Nurse is having trouble finding reserves to trust, aside from Achiuwa and second-round rookie Christian KolokoHe is starting to look tired. For the second consecutive match, Dalano BantonAnd Malachi FlynnOne role was shared; the former got minutes in the first and the latter in half. Khem Birch played seven solid minutes in his first appearance of the season but didn’t play in the second half. All of this places a tremendous burden on the starters. Siakam, Trent, and Anunoby sat for more than 40 minutes each on Monday. Trent sat 72 seconds and 60 seconds in the second half. While Anunoby and Boucher were involved in the foul trouble, it was not the only factor. Thaddeus YoungAnd Juancho HernangomezAgainst the Heat, he did not play.
• And still, Siakam and Trent were making the two biggest shots of the night when their peers on the other side had played far fewer minutes than they had. VanVleet was making the shots, as Anunoby. magnificent defensive playsTo help bring the game back within reach of Robinson’s shot.
That is the point With the Raptors, the thing that seems to have most obviously carried over from last year: Even if it doesn’t always look like they’re playing withThey will always play against each other ForEach other. This is a solid foundation to build on. Bring on the on-court energy to match the vibes.
Observations
• With a 3-pointer in quarter twoVanVleet surpassed Morris Peterson to become the second-most successful Raptors player in Raptors history. With four on the night, VanVleet has 805 to Peterson’s 801. Kyle LowryHe is the sole top scorer with 1,518. VanVleet started the game with a 36-minute average of 7.5 3-point attempts, while Peterson managed five in his entire career.
803 3PTS & Counting for @FredVanVleet 👌 pic.twitter.com/jsrczUqTIJ
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) October 25, 2022
• Barnes missed the game with a sprained ankle and is considered day-to-day. Koloko took his place and was solid in the first half. He even hit! a quick push shotVanVleet provided a feed. Koloko had a tremendous blockThis is Jimmy ButlerIn a defensive transition during the third quarter. His After setting up a screen, rollVanVleet opened a passing lane that leads to Siakam. He’s a nice piece, although Not ready to protect Bam AdebayoWhen the Heat big man is facing down yet. He was in awkward positions in space during the third quarter, and it showed. If the Raptors want to keep their health intact, keeping him at 6 minutes per half while allowing him to log more G League minutes is a smart move.
• As Boucher got in quick foul trouble, Khem Birch got into his first game of the season. He was a reliable player and had a great stint. However, we probably don’t need to see him Support anyone who isn’t on your sideUnless Muggsy Bogues is able to come out of retirement, and end up guarding him, then again.
• In general, Nurse wants his guards to pressure the basketball, but I thought Sportsnet analyst Alvin Williams was smart to question Banton for putting pressure on Gabe VincentThe first quarter ended. Banton is on the floor to do just that, but it’s very hard to both pressure a guard as talented as Vincent and keep him out of the paint if you don’t force a turnover. The Raptors didn’t have Koloko in the game, and the Heat spaced well, which ended up in a pair of free throws from Vincent. The Raptors are Banton, specificallyYou have to be a bit more selective.
(Photo by Gary Trent Jr.Eric Espada/Getty Images
