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In fact the Raptors gained considerably simply lacking Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes, Khem Birch, Justin Champagnie for mainly your entire recreation and with Chris Boucher probably not as much as his present requirements.
It’s how they roll.
Most factors in a half this season, top-of-the-line capturing percentages for an entire recreation this season, strong backup level guard manufacturing and 7 totally different guys hit a three-pointer.
Identical to all of us thought.
Anyway, listed here are some wrapup factors to ponder.
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THREE POINTERS
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In management
One of many huge steps Pascal Siakam has taken this yr – and it’s actually spectacular how far his general recreation has come – is how he’s ending his considerably patented spin transfer within the paint.
Sure, he’s typically capable of beat defenders and both end on the rim or take a bit 10-footer however how below management he's and the way he’s capable of cross successfully out of it's a large step.
I can keep in mind three particular cases final evening the place he spun, a second defender got here arduous at him and he made the precise cross to an open shooter on the perimeter.
A yr in the past, or perhaps even early this yr, that form of play would have been a turnover, a compelled shot, one thing calamitous. The sport actually is slowing down for him.
“I’ve been working with Earl (Watson),” he mentioned. ”We at all times watch movie and one thing he tells me is to be affected person and I can see that in myself. I really feel like I at all times have a bonus and I need to go immediately however I believe simply being affected person, watching the defence and the extra snug with assist the higher I’ll get with reads.”
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Out and in, quick
Chris Boucher didn’t have the best of video games however he did have an effect, particularly within the third quarter.
A number of that needed to do with Nick giving him some early relaxation to consider it and gather himself.
Boucher got here out about 5 minutes within the first quarter for about three minutes of relaxation and that wasn’t too uncommon.
Coming about three minutes into the third for about three minutes was a message.
“We debated beginning Dalano, however we simply did the following neatest thing which was deliver him early and it was good,” Nurse mentioned. ”It acquired Chris form of again … to come back off the bench once more. I believe we did that in each halves and he actually impacted I believed the second half off the bench although he began.
“So once more, I believe that form of served a twin functions there.”
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Good guards
As I discussed in the merchandise final night, the contributions of Dalano Banton and Malachi Flynn have been spectacular and when Nick mentioned “the journey to Mississauga helped them” don’t suppose I didn’t smile only a bit.
And I liked how Flynn took the excessive highway when requested about his inactivity.
“I believe we’ve been doing good as a group, I’m not gonna sit right here and discuss me individually,” he mentioned. “I believe we’ve been doing effectively, particularly these previous couple weeks, had some actually good wins, couple robust losses, however I believe we’re shifting in the precise path.”
, we shouldn’t have been the least shocked. It’s nearly precisely the identical tone he gave me after we chatted in Portland months in the past.
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So, highway journey!
Yeah, I’m gonna head to Miami tomorrow evening and see what we would dig up in the way in which of some days of hanging round on the highway. It’ll be attention-grabbing however it additionally ought to be enjoyable.
It’ll be work, that’s for positive and if you wish to add to it for Sunday’s mail, simply click on on askdoug@thestar.ca at this time so I’ve acquired one thing to fiddle with on the airplane.
And for those who’ve acquired Brickell space restaurant for Friday evening, I’m all ears.
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