O. Anunoby37 MIN, 19 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST, 0 STL, 6-19 FG, 1-6 3FG, 6-7 FT, 2 BLK, 3 TO, 1 +/- Call it the law of averages game for the DPOY candidate. After absolutely heating up the last 6 games, things came back down to earth for OG tonight. It took him a while to get going on offense and he dribbled a lot early on, but his excellent court vision and excellent on-ball defense salvaged a below-average game by his standards. But that dunk was bad. C+ O. Porter Jr. 12 min, 0 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-2 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 +/- Porter was an active body down the stretch tonight. While you can usually find the lanky wing on the perimeter, you wouldn’t guess it from the way he positioned himself on his defenders for rebounds. His shot wasn’t falling, but he helped his teams in other ways. He missed the 2nd half with a leg injury. B+ T. Young26 MIN, 6 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 2-4 FG, 0-1 3FG, 2-2 FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 5 +/- Tad Young brought great pressure to the ball tonight. The Raptors got caught early and often in this one and you could find Thad going after defenders and making them uncomfortable. Looked to score early and made a good save. Good minutes from him in this one. si S. Barnes 34 MIN, 8 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 4-9 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 1 BLK, 3 TO, 1 +/- With several teammates looking for their shots, Barnes didn’t feel the need to force it on offense tonight. But he understood how locked in the Pistons’ D was on him and used it to his advantage, drawing help and kicking it out to the open man. His aggressive on-ball defense, instincts to fill open space and running to the rim served a very important role for the Raptors. A+ D. Banton25 MIN, 27 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL, 9-16 FG, 3-7 3FG, 6-6 FT, 2 BLK, 2 TO, 0 +/- The Danalo Banton Game! In his first start of the season, Banton looked as comfortable as he has all year. Rexdale’s best was using his speed and length to his advantage, attacking defenders off the dribble and driving the fast break in between by making some outside shots. He had a few misplaced passes but was there for his team when they needed him late. He was the best player on the court tonight. Easily the most complete game we’ve seen him play in the NBA. ONE C. Boucher31 MIN, 20 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 7-12 FG, 1-3 3FG, 5-5 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -3 +/- If I had to describe Boucher’s performance tonight in one word? Comfortable. The Montreal native made strong, deliberate moves at the rim and knocked down that catapult jumper of his with ease. The depleted Raptors needed their bench to step up and Bowser led that effort, making his mark on the game almost immediately. A great, efficient night for Slim Duck in the Motor City. You must give him his flowers. si C. Koloko 17 MIN, 8 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 2-2 FG, 0-0 3FG, 4-4 FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 2 +/- Tower took advantage of the opportunities presented to it tonight. But it still feels like he’s leaving something on the table, which you’d hope would improve with experience (and time in the weight room). But damn I wish we could bottle Jalen Duren’s tenacity and give it to Koloko. Wouldn’t that be fun? ONE M. Flynn15 MIN, 12 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 3-6 FG, 2-4 3FG, 4-4 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 8 +/- The moment he checked into the game, Flynn was looking to score. On a night where Toronto was missing 4 rotation players, Flynn’s consistent pressure on defense opened up opportunities for the other guys. Excellent, attacking minutes from him in this game. ONE- J. Hernangomez24 MIN, 9 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 0 STL, 4-8 FG, 1-3 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 11 +/- Between trying to contain Jalen Duren and shutting down piston shooters all night, Juancho had his hands full in this one. Despite his run on D, Bo Cruz was a key contributor off the bench tonight. He hit a pair of 3s, made the extra pass and grabbed some key rebounds when his team needed them. Classic glue type performance. B+ J. Dowtin Jr.15 MIN, 4 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 2-3 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, -5 +/- The rookie entered the game with gusto. From cutting into open space on offense, trying to create off the dribble and burning defenders with his speed, he looked like he belonged out there. But the one game Dowtin Jr. will be remembered for. on it was Jaden Ivey’s game-winning defensive tackle on the Pistons on the second-to-last possession of the game. If you weren’t screaming at your TV during this hour, I don’t know what to tell you. Inc K. Birch04 MIN, 2 PTS, 0 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -3 +/- Great to have him back in the lineup after a multi-game absence. ONE Nick Nurse In stark contrast, 10 players played over 15 minutes for the Raps tonight. The Raptors were spread out and Nurse battled through odd lineups all night until he found one that stuck later in the 3rd quarter. An amazing coaching job by NN. That’s how you make lemonade, baby.
