Quick Reaction: Raptors 116, Pistons 127
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| Toronto Raptors | 116 – 127 |
Detroit Pistons |
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C
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S. Barnes 27 MIN, 5 PTS, 1 REB, 12 AST, 3 STL, 2-8 FG, 0-2 3FG, 1-4 FT, 2 BLK, 4 TO, -21 +/- Point Scottie had seven assists by halftime and added five more in the second half. Had a great pass to CMB after a timeout and nice feed to Poeltl in transition. Barnes got his first point after willing himself to the basket at the end of Q2. Had a big block on Huerter at the end of Q3. Only played 27 minutes, but barely noticed him in the second half minus the block on Huerter. |
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B-
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B. Ingram 30 MIN, 22 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 7-15 FG, 1-6 3FG, 7-8 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -26 +/- BI hit some tough mid-range jumpers in the first half, especially one over Duren to inch within five points. He made another to help the Raps inch within one. But he struggled physically against this Pistons defence and the Raptors can’t always rely on him to hit difficult shots. |
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C
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J. Poeltl 23 MIN, 13 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 6-9 FG, 0-0 3FG, 1-2 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -16 +/- Jalen Duren set the tone as he took the ball right at Poeltl at the start of the game. Duren got tons of points early in the game and ate Poeltl right after a timeout. Though the latter had a poor star, he did make up for it in the second quarter making some shots near the rim and showing good chemistry with Scottie. |
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A-
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R. Barrett 30 MIN, 24 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 7-12 FG, 2-4 3FG, 8-10 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, -21 +/- RJ was the most consistent and reliable offensive player this game from the start. He tried to get the Raptors their first field goal. He got to the charity stripe eight times in the first time; the Pistons, nine times. He kept the Raptors hopes alive late in the first half, slipping out of a screen set for Screen, drawing a foul, fist-pumping and completing the three-point play. |
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B-
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J. Walter 26 MIN, 3 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL, 1-6 FG, 1-5 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -1 +/- Walter didn't lack effort this game. He got an offensive board that didn't translate into a bucket and then had a steal in the first half that didn't initially result in a bucket, but Poeltl got Mamu's missed 3 and the latter dunked it. Walter's signature aggressive on-ball defence was alive and well. |
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B-
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J. Shead 29 MIN, 6 PTS, 0 REB, 12 AST, 1 STL, 2-7 FG, 1-4 3FG, 1-2 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 5 +/- Shead’s stats are similar to Scottie’s. He had a beautiful PnR action with CMB. He had a nice bucket off the glass in the first half, and hit a big 3 after Duncan Robinson hit a 3. |
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A+
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A. Lawson 18 MIN, 13 PTS, 3 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 4-5 FG, 3-3 3FG, 2-3 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 16 +/- He got big minutes in a big-time game. Hit a big 3, drew the foul, and completed the four-point play. Shot a perfect 3-3 from downtown and played some pestering perimeter defence. Hit another big corner 3 that fleetingly made a comeback seem possible. |
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A
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C. Murray-Boyles 23 MIN, 14 PTS, 10 REB, 0 AST, 2 STL, 7-13 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-2 FT, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 3 +/- Only Raptor with a double-double. He showed flashes of being a Duren stopper when he subbed in for Poeltl. ‘Why didn’t he just start the game?’ I thought. He grabbed a million offensive boards at the end of the first quarter and helped the Raps keep their possession. The basketball gods rewarded his effort by granting RJ’s 3 to go in after the bounce. He played well in a game where the Raptors came up a little too short. |
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A
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S. Mamukelashvili 22 MIN, 16 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 7-13 FG, 2-4 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 4 +/- He had a really strong drive on Duren at the end of Q3, hit a 3, and then used the threat of his 3-point shooting to drive and dump a pass of to CMB. This was the last time there was any hope for the Raptors, but the mobile big was pivotal when the game mattered again. |
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B
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Darko Rajakovic Coach Raptors' aggressive defence was working in the first half. Despite an awful shooting to start the game, the Raptors were 23-7 in points off turnovers. But it also led to some wide open looks inside. I think this game had more to do with not being able to keep up with the Pistons' physicality, rather than coaching. |
Things we saw
- The Pistons really asserted themselves in the third quarter, winning 41-27. When Ausar Thompson made a flex cut and scored, the game seemed to be slipping away. Even when the Raptors made a run in the fourth quarter – reminiscent of 7-0 run the Pistons made against the Raptors in the fourth quarter last game – I never really thought a comeback was possible. But kudos to the Raptors for not wilting when the game seemed to be over after the first 36 minutes.
- The bench was just as impressive as the starters this game…
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