The Toronto Raptors were able to keep their heads under pressure, and eked out a 107 – 103 victory over a won’t-go-away Miami Heat squad. To give you an idea of how taut this game was, the second half score was 59-all.
After a huge effort from Kyle Lowry helped the Raptors to pull away from the Lakers, it was the turn of the other starting guard to strut his stuff. Fred VanVleet broke the Heat wave with a 36-point performance, a career high.
Toronto fans knew their team had to be effective from beyond the arc to win, and happily our guys complied. Seven Raptors hit at least one 3-pointer, with FVV burying 7 of 12 attempts, and Pascal Siakam 4 of 7. The Raptors hit more long balls in fewer tries than the Heat.
Not a championship performance
Two aspects of this game were worrisome. The Raptors committed 21 turnovers, many of them unforced. And while our team deserves credit for piling up a 17-point lead halfway through Q3, do they get a scolding for falling behind by 3 several times in the fourth?
For me, the turnovers are most bothersome. Several times, Raptor passes were to unoccupied space, as the mate who was supposed to be there wasn’t. I know the guys are still rusty, but still…
And since I’m feeling grouchy: what’s the excuse for having only three blocked shots – two of them by Lowry?
The cake isn’t baked yet
Goran Dragic pulled Miami out of its doldrums in Q3, on his way to leading the Heat in both points (25) and assists (5, tied with 2 others). I will be most surprised if he hasn’t pushed Trevor Nunn out of the starting lineup by the next time Toronto sees this team…in the playoffs, sez I.
The Raptors’ starting five led the charge for the second straight time, with OG Anunoby’s one basket being the only disappointment. While the bench guys weren’t embarrassed (Serge Ibaka bounced back nicely with 15 points, though his outside shooting is still of dubious quality), we’re not yet seeing contributions from Terrence Davis, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson or Matt Thomas. I expected important minutes from Chris Boucher, but he didn’t even dress.
Norman Powell continued his infuriating habit of getting to the rim with crisp and creative footwork, then watching his layups roll off the rim and out.
While the tenor of the game wasn’t nasty, there were a few rowdy moments. Dragic pulled down Powell on a steal & break, but didn’t get nailed for a flagrant foul because the zebras decided Powell wasn’t injured. That’s luck, but the intention to grab his leg was clear-cut. Later, Kelly Olynyk whacked Lowry in the face, albeit accidentally, and the foul was upgraded(?) to a flagrant. Nicely done, refs. You got them both wrong.
The Raptors next game is Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic. Let’s hope there’s no let-up against an inferior opponent after beating two tough ones.
Tip-ins
I’m liking the Raptors’ ability to shut down the opponents’ major offensive weapons. We can live with Jimmy Butler getting 16 points, even if too many of his buckets were easy. Duncan Robinson managed one basket, and Nunn none (sorry!).
KLo, with 8, was once again the Raps’ top rebounder. That’s a high-five for him, and a side-eye to Marc Gasol and others.
The Raptors are garnering the attention of the hoops press, finally.
