The Raptors played with their point guard back in the line up and a surprise team addition showing how ‘All In’ this team is right now. Will Barton made it to be in the lineup for his new team while the failed Spanish Movie Star Juancho was given his walking papers. It was a surprise move to many but not readers here who have known how serious Masai is about seeing this group in the playoffs this year…right now. Will brings a vet ball handler and shooter off the bench who can contribute in a lot of ways as a back up guard. He’ll get an immediate rotation spot as the back up to Freddy as this team pushes for a deep run in the playoffs. Goran got waived by the Bulls but for some strange reason Masai wasn’t interested. He might have higher expectations.
However beating the Bulls was job #1 and they were tough all night. In one of the tightest games all year both teams battled tough and didn’t give an inch. It felt like a playoff ‘lite’ game as both teams took this February game much more seriously than usual. Gary came off the bench but Freddy looked so terrible shooting it probably should have been him coming off the bench tonight. Nick had a nice rotation working for the most part of the game and the passing throughout the lineup seemed to flow a bit easier. Let’s highlight some Good and Bad from this critical win the Raptors battled hard to get!
The Good
Gary
Would’ve been easy to sulk moving to the bench but the consummate pro worked his tail off and hit big shots to keep the rotations flowing offensively. Efficiently scored and going 5 for 11 from deep is exactly what this lineup needs…especially off the bench! Takes a well raised young man to handle tough situations like this and Gary Trent Sr. should be proud.
Nikola Vucevic
Efficiently contributed offensively and stepped up defensively as well. Without the 6 turnovers would have been a perfect game from him…and they might have got the win. The Raptors were all hands when he got it inside thou so it wasn’t like he was fumbling the ball…it was tough going in the paint this game!
Pascal
A bit quieter than usual for the Heart of the Raptors but he battled through a lot of tough coverage in this tighter game. The Bulls were interested in watching him get to the rim all night so Pascal had to work for it.
O.G.
Better all round game from the Big mercurial wing today, especially defensively. He’s gets all the toughest match ups everynight and if he’s not up to the challenge the Raptors can get buried in a hurry by some NBA star. It’s more pressure than many players can handle each and every game all year.
Ayo Dosunmu
Came off the bench and was all over the place helping out. Nice 2nd year player that’s clearly NBA quality.
The Bad
Demar Derozan
13 points? 5 for 11 in 35 minutes? A ton of Demar fans went home with a rude awakening tonight. Demar’s game gets shut down in tight, playoff type games. They’ll still dream of him returning to Toronto cause he a good guy but when the playoffs arrive teams need a scorer that can get to the rim. Team high -15 tonight highlights what Demar fans always deny. Some love affairs should end.
Freddy
Lots of turmoil going on behind the scenes for this guy as his 1 for 11 shooting and only 3 points shows. If he’s not driving to the basket he won’t get enough respect and space to hit easier 3’s. Sorry…can’t give you a pass because of all the personal stuff. This team went ‘All In’ and they need wins right now, not excuses. Can’t go 1 for 9 from deep and help this team much.
Scottie
The ‘lack of intensity’ reputation is firmly established after this Jekell and Hyde performance. Brutal in the first 3 quarters then turned it on in the 4th and dominated. Shout out to the coach that must have rattled his cage for that last quarter when the game was on the line. Part of developing in the NBA is being able to give 100% more than 1 quarter thou. Coming off the bench is the typical way a coach gets players to value their minutes more. Let’s hope Scottie gets it when the playoffs arrive.
Precious
2 for 6 in 12 minutes where Precious spent more time fishing the ball out from under his own basket. Very disappointing for a guy that looked closer to pushing for a starting spot than sitting on the bench getting DNP’d by his coach. Contract extension time this summer…somebody tell Precious these games matter.
Shoutout to Pat Beverley! Still balling, pushing his boys to give 100 and making a difference. One of the players that keep it a Buck when the big mic is in front of them which isn’t easy in this world.
The Raptors roll on in their quest to get a better Play in position…hopefully a home game at least! There is a lot riding on the remaining games this year as well as the playoffs. Not everyone on this team is giving 100 and while they barely won this game these players really need to get the message how important these games are now. Players will be traded away this summer and how these pieces all fit together is the big question this management brain trust has to figure out. I like the Will Barton move but don’t know if he’ll be up to speed enough to impact the playoffs much. He certainly has the experience and skills this team was lacking off the bench. Likely a show me trial for a new contract to take Flynn’s spot next year as Masai is always thinking ahead and doesn’t make short term moves. It also is an insurance move in case Freddy walks this summer…or gets traded… and the Raptors need that vet PG until they can figure out how to fill the hole in the team Fred left. Billion dollar companies all need insurance and Malachi or Banton certainly weren’t up to a starting NBA role. Will could start in the NBA if needed. He’ll also take a cheap contract and could allow the Raptors to keep a core piece in this upcoming summer of Cap Hell.
But that’s all for the summer. Right now this team got another hard fought win and are a step closer to the playoffs. It’s a good day!
I agree with your assessment of Scottie,however, in the 4th he showed his understanding of the game and had the patience and poise that Freddy(this year)and Siakam rarely show. When Siakam came back on in the 4 th, he got the ball and forced it turning it over, got blown by on D on the next play, then played iso and missed two straight shots, and remarkably the Bulls had life again. This team isn’t missing talent, they are missing direction and an actual game plan in my opinion. Offence by committee will only work if the majority of players have high bball IQ. I’d argue that Thad, Scottie Gary, Freddy(when he wants to), Dowtin, Poeltl and OG have the former.Allowing Precious to try and take guys one on one needs to stop, he so predictable, athletic yes, but will never pass and fumbles the ball all the time. Pascal is and all star, athletic and talented. However, does he make others better? Sometimes, but not with intent. Boucher comes in and does his thing :a great energy guy but realistically there is a cringe every time he jacks up a 3 ( even though he’s hitting them) and he never looks to pass. In my opinion, this teams needs to play simple ball. Slow the offence down.... but not be static. Run your offence and move the ball. Have Pascal stop playing like he’s Durant and have Fred stop playing like he’s Lilllard.