Raptors’ Gary Trent Jr. and Blazers’ Norman Powell becoming in simply positive with new groups – The Athletic
The Path Blazers use three gamers who’re 6-foot-3 and beneath, whereas the Raptors use three gamers who’re 6-7 or taller. You are able to do the maths: Which means one tall man is all the time guarding one not-so-tall man when Portland has the ball, and vice versa when the Raptors have the ball. The difficulty is that when a kind of shorter gamers is Lillard, it’s an issue. Whether or not it was VanVleet, Scottie Barnes or OG Anunoby, Lillard created a variety of straight drives to the rim. It was all Lillard because the Path Blazers climbed again into the sport on the finish of the second quarter.
“Even the very best (defenders) have a tough time guarding these guys one-on-one,” Nurse mentioned of his defensive schemes. “Often, there’s a group facet to it of how a lot provide help to’re offering in your capability to pinch down slightly after which in the event that they do hearth it again out, your capability to get again out and make the subsequent play troublesome as effectively.”
Powell didn’t want a storybook evening for Path Blazers to beat Raptors
The Path Blazers pulled method for the 118-113 win with a 20-7 run to start out the fourth quarter of what was, at that time, a tie sport. The Raptors pushed again a number of instances. Trailing by 11 with 4:09 left, Fred VanVleet hit a protracted three in transition, arrange Pascal Siakam for a floater within the paint and – after a pair of missed threes by OG Anunoby – grabbed the rebound and knocked down one other three. That made it a one-point sport with 1:51 to play. However Portland scored six unanswered factors from there to tug away for good.
The Raptors fell to 7-8 as they start their six-game street journey, whereas Portland improved to 7-8 whereas successful on the second evening of a back-to-back.
Powell didn’t have signature evening at both finish of the ground, ending with 12 factors on 3-of-9 taking pictures.
As an alternative, it was Gary Trent Jr. who confirmed effectively towards his previous group in his previous constructing, placing up 18 factors on 8-of-16 taking pictures, although he did undergo the misfortune of getting his previous teammate CJ McCollum put the sport on ice when he scored on Trent Jr. in isolation within the sport’s closing minute.
However Powell will not less than have bragging rights to carry over VanVleet of their frequent textual content exchanges, because the Path Blazers improved to 2-0 over the Raptors since he joined them, going again to final season.
The explanation final evening not less than, was that the Raptors struggled down the stretch defensively. There are probably a variety of components at work there – attempting to comprise McCollum and Damian Lillard is a process many groups have failed earlier than.
It in all probability doesn’t assist that the Raptors’ starters all performed between 39 and 41 minutes. However, then once more, Raptors head coach Nick Nurse clearly doesn’t trust in his bench in the mean time. Maybe with good purpose: Dalano Banton, Svi Mykhailiuk and Malachi Flynn had been a mixed -28 in 20 minutes of flooring time.
“I might say this, I don’t assume as a group we guarded very effectively,” mentioned Nurse. “I don’t know if it’s taking a look at matchups and issues like that, I simply assume that I imply after they shoot 56 per cent …”
Large Males Lastly Come Via as Blazers Down Raptors – Blazer’s Edge
Win or lose, a lot of the focus this season has been on Portland’s substantial (maybe bloated) guard corps. Backcourt gamers made a big impact tonight. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum tried 39 of Portland’s 82 photographs, scoring 53 between them.
These numbers would have led to a predictably fancy loss had it not been for Larry Nance, Jr. and Jusuf Nurkic.
Nance, Jr. keyed Portland’s bench after the beginning unit laid an egg (topped with soggy-shredded-wheat protection) within the first interval. He put it into overdrive on the defensive finish, watching the rim and ranging on the ground seemingly suddenly. On offense he supplied the pivot level that the Blazers have hoped Nurkic would turn out to be. Nance flipped a pair good passes from the lane, set screens to free shooters, and transformed dunks and layups at any time when he acquired the ball in return. His power introduced Portland to life.
Nurkic picked up on the vibe throughout his second shift and for many of them thereafter. He didn’t contact the ball a lot on offense. That’s often the cue for him to detach from the sport. He did the alternative tonight, standing within the lane like Horatius on the bridge. His stat line reads 0 blocks, however the scorekeeper in all probability gave a few multiple-player rejections to smaller teammates. Nurkic stopped the Raptors on the rim at any time when he was within the neighborhood, delaying scorers sufficient to permit additional defenders—plus their arms and fingers—into the play.
This wasn’t an ideal defensive sport from the Blazers. The Raptors scored 20 factors in transition and shot 45.5% from the three-point arc. Each Toronto starter scored not less than 16 factors. OG Anunoby had 29. It was an brisk—and finally adequate—effort although. Nurkic and Nance belong first on the record, crediting the way it was doable.
Portland Path Blazers shake off sluggish begin to beat Toronto Raptors 118-113 – oregonlive.com
The Blazers started this sport equally to how poorly they began at Denver and promptly fell behind 13-3 earlier than three minutes had handed within the quarter. Portland bounced again and completed the quarter down 33-24 after permitting the Raptors to shoot 59.1% from the sector and shoot 7 of 13 on principally wide-open threes. OG Anunoby scored 14 for the Raptors (7-8).
The protection of the Blazers’ second unit performed an enormous half in slowing down the Raptors within the second quarter. Toronto shot simply 36.4% for the quarter whereas discovering baskets troublesome to come back by, particularly when Nassir Little, Larry Nance Jr. and Tony Snell had been on the ground for Portland. In the meantime, the Blazers took over as the new group on offense, taking pictures 71.4% from the sector. Lillard scored 10 factors within the quarter, which the Blazers received 37-27 to take a 61-60 lead into halftime. Anunoby scored 23 within the first half. Lillard had 16.
The sport stood at 85-85 heading into the fourth quarter, when the Blazers seized after which maintained management thanks in massive artwork to Nance and Little. Each performed all the fourth quarter to assist defend towards Toronto’s small lineup.
“They gave us a lot versatility,” Billups. “I believed they performed extraordinarily laborious.”
Portland started the fourth with a 20-footer from McCollum, a 3 from Lillard after which a 3 from McCollum to guide 93-85. The Raptors trailed 99-92 with 8:07 remaining earlier than the Blazers went on one other run. This one started with a Little three and ended with a McCollum three off of a slick cross from Lillard after he drove to the left aspect of the lane. The basket gave the Blazers a 105-92 lead with 7:20 to go and triggered a Raptors timeout. The following dialogue paid off for the Raptors, who answered with a 9-0 run to make the rating 105-91 with 5:34 to go.
Portland acquired to a 112-105 lead, however Fred VanVleet hit two threes to depart the rating at 112-111 with 1:51 to go.
However Portland dominated the remainder of the best way. The important thing second got here when McCollum sized up Gary Trent Jr. like a shark eyeing acquainted prey, pump faked his former teammate into the air after which scored on the leaner to provide the Blazers a 116-111 lead with 48.3 seconds left.
Trent scored 18 factors with six rebounds after receiving an enormous ovation whereas being launched with the starters.
Recap: Toronto Raptors set off fireworks late, however Portland Path Blazers win 118-113 – Raptors HQ
Portland as a group shot 56.1% and 44.4% from three, together with each their stars taking pictures 50% or higher from distance at quantity. That’s a tricky recipe for any opponent, simply given how the Blazers are made up, and the Raptors weren’t any exception.
In truth, this appeared like one of many higher Raptors video games during the last 5. Main the group in factors, Anunoby made his first six threes within the first 18 minutes, scoring 23 of his 29 earlier than we’d had an opportunity to catch our breath. Then, on the finish, it was Fred VanVleet — who drilled two threes in stunning conditions, one pulling up on the break and the opposite pulling it again out after an offensive rebound, to maintain the sport shut. VanVleet would end with 16 factors in 40 minutes.
The glue holding it collectively was Scottie Barnes. Incomes the ire of Lillard and McCollum as he took turns guarding them each (and Jusuf Nurkic within the first half, ho hum), Barnes’ protection was one of many shiny spots for Toronto. He made some defensive errors late that price the group ending off its comeback, however the flashes are nonetheless ok to make up for it. When you had him making athletic performs with this a lot poise coming into his rookie yr, you’re a liar.
Barnes would end with 18 factors, eight rebounds and two assists.
Sadly, the Raptors simply didn’t get sufficient pop from their bench to win any of these minutes. There wasn’t a lot runway for error in these transition durations tonight, however Birch’s and Svi Mykhailiuk’s struggles on protection did price the Raptors, even when they made some good performs on the opposite finish.
Raptors Can’t Gradual Path Blazers in Excessive Scoring Affair – Sports activities Illustrated
The issue for Toronto on Monday, nonetheless, wasn’t the offense. Even with so many gamers nonetheless creating on that aspect of the courtroom, the Raptors’ protection appeared misplaced towards the excessive octane Path Blazers. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum repeatedly beat Toronto’s protection for blow-by buckets on the rim or lethal three-pointers. Simply when Toronto lower Portland’s lead right down to 4 due to a 7-0 run, McCollum nailed a floater and located Larry Nance Jr. for a transition dunk to shut out the evening.
Fred VanVleet did go toe to toe with Lillard down the stretch, wanting each bit his equal within the fourth quarter. After a gradual begin, scoring simply 5 factors by means of three quarters, Toronto’s lead guard broke out for 11 factors within the fourth, nailing a trio of clutch three-pointers to maintain the Raptors alive late.
The Path Blazers definitely deserve credit score for the offensive firepower they confirmed. They’d considered one of their greatest taking pictures efficiency of the season, killing Toronto with a 56% mark from the ground, however the Raptors are speculated to be a group constructed to stop nights like that from occurring. Sadly for Toronto, Nurse’s hyper-aggressive defensive scheme has created a couple of too many open photographs for opposing groups to benefit from.
Former Raptor Norm Powell is ready for all times, and nonetheless as pushed as ever to be the very best with the Path Blazers | The Star
Powell has turn out to be a dynamic a part of an explosive Portland offence anchored by him, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
Powell didn’t have an excellent offensive sport towards his previous mates and teammates Monday however his backcourt mates did. McCollum and Lillard mixed for 53 factors and McCollum hit a leaner within the lane to place Portland up 5 level with 48.3 seconds left for the game-breaking basket.
Fred VanVleet had hit three straight pull-up three-pointers to the Raptors again within the sport earlier than a pricey Scottie Barnes turnover preceded McCollum’s basket.
OG Anunoby led Toronto with 29 factors.
Powell started Monday’s sport taking pictures an distinctive 44.8 per cent from three-point vary on practically 5 long-distance makes an attempt per sport. It’s maintaining the torrid taking pictures he confirmed on the finish of his Toronto tenure: Powell has shot 40 per cent or higher from three-point vary for the previous three seasons.
“Norm’s had some actually good moments for us this yr,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups mentioned. “He can actually get it going. He’s an ideal shooter. He’s fairly aggressive on the defensive finish. He received’t again down from anyone. He’s been enjoyable, a pleasure to educate.”
His contract will take him till he’s 33 years previous and certain depart room for yet one more deal in his profession, given good well being and no calamities.
“I wish to set up myself as the most effective gamers within the league, I wish to make an all-star group, I wish to win the awards that the highest gamers have,” Powell mentioned. “That’s all the time been my aim. Clearly it modifications based mostly on roles and issues like that with the group however these will all the time be my expectations. So I’m going to proceed to work and proceed to plug away.”
Irrespective of how a lot cash he has within the financial institution, or how a lot he’s owed.
Fast begin goes for naught as Raptors fall brief in Portland | Toronto Solar
Anunoby completed up with 29 for the sport, however when the Path Blazers turned the water off on him after that explosive first half, nobody actually stepped into the breech.
Gary Trent Jr., enjoying his first sport in Portland since that commerce final March for Norm Powell, had 18 within the sport whereas Pascal Siakam, enjoying in his fourth sport since getting back from that shoulder surgical procedure, had 20 but it surely wasn’t sufficient.
Not with Damian Lillard, himself again within the lineup after a one-game absence coping with some stomach ache, put up 24 or his backcourt mate CJ McCollom going off for 29 as that stellar backcourt took this one house for the Blazers.
The Raptors didn’t go away all collectively on this one, getting back from double-digit deficits on three separate events within the second half to get again inside three every time, however each instances the comeback stalled there.
Fred VanVleet, again within the lineup after a one-game absence, was in the course of every of these comebacks as his scoring picked up after a gradual begin ending the evening with 16, the majority of that coming late within the sport when his group wanted him most.
The anticipated duel between Trent Jr. and Powell, the 2 high-scoring wings traded for each other was probably not a part of the narrative.
Trent Jr. received the scoring battle 18-10 however Powell and the Blazers acquired the end result.
Seven ideas as Raptors open street journey with slim loss to Path Blazers | NBA.com Canada
When the Path Blazers backcourt is locked in like this, they’re a tricky group to beat.
McCollum led the Blazers with 29 factors and 6 assists on 11-of-18 taking pictures and 6-of-11 from the 3-point line, whereas Lillard recorded 24 factors, eight assists, 4 rebounds and two steals on 10-of-21 taking pictures and 3-of-6 from past the arc.
The duo opened the fourth quarter burying bucket after bucket to go on a 10-0 run and put the Blazers in management, earlier than the Raptors lower the deficit to 105-101 with a 9-0 run of their very own.
McCollum continued to attain down the stretch and got here up with an enormous defensive play, assembly Scottie Barnes on the rim for the emphatic rejection.
Portland as a group shot 56.1 % from the sector and 44.4 % from three.
NBA Energy Rankings, Week 5 – The Golden State Warriors’ comeback is full, plus our new 1-30 breakdown – ESPN
This Week: 17
Final Week: 14
It seems Toronto goes to be a troublesome group to face, and a tough one to get a learn on. Thursday, the Raptors had a pleasant come-from-behind win in Philadelphia, solely to come back house and drop a sport to the Pistons on Saturday evening. Toronto is one more group that needs to be within the play-in combine all season lengthy within the East. — Bontemps
NBA Energy Rankings: Warriors on prime, Clippers and Suns surge, plus a chaos verify for all 30 groups (even yours!) – The Athletic
This Week: 19
Final Week: 17
How did the chaos hit the Toronto Raptors? The Toronto Raptors have been all over. They began out 1-3, then they received 5 straight video games after which misplaced 4 out of their subsequent 5 video games as they began integrating Pascal Siakam again into the combo within the course of. Their protection slipped significantly as their offense shot up the ranks. This group doesn’t appear to have a very good deal with on its identification, however Siakam getting again to All-Star kind would definitely assist settle a variety of that. The important thing for the Raptors is determining the place they’re of their improvement plan. Will they sacrifice wins and expertise for creating the younger guys, or do they really consider they’ll accomplish each on the similar time constantly?
Why is the group right here this week? The Raptors needed to drop slightly bit right here, particularly with dropping 4 of their final 5. The loss to Detroit helped sink them into the decrease tier since you simply can’t lose that sport in the event you’re Toronto. They need to feast on Detroit.
Writer’s be aware: The Raptors fall into the Play-In Event Provides Them Life tier with their current downturn, however I’ve a sense they’ll be bouncing backwards and forwards fairly a bit this season. They’re the basketball group equal of a quadruple-A participant in baseball.
NBA Energy Rankings: Stephen Curry, Warriors cruise to No. 1 spot; stunning Wizards, Nuggets make huge jumps – CBSSports.com
This Week: 19
Final Week: 13
After an enormous climb final week, the Raptors fall within the rankings after losses to the Cavs, Nets and Celtics. The usually stingy protection betrayed Toronto this week, because it allowed practically 114 factors per 100 possessions within the three losses. The silver lining is that Pascal Siakam made his season debut, averaging 11.5 factors and 5.5 rebounds in 27.5 minutes over two video games. Fred VanVleet led the offense with 18.3 factors and 6.7 assists per sport on 44 % 3-point taking pictures.
Raptors had been to draft Kevin Garnett in 1995, says former government Isiah Thomas | NBA.com Canada
“Kevin McHale calls me up per week earlier than the draft and he goes ‘are you going to draft him?’” Thomas recalled within the documentary. “And I mentioned, ‘if he’s at seven, I’m going to take him. And he mentioned, ‘do you assume I ought to draft him at 5? It’s between [him] and [Damon] Stoudamire’ – that’s what I’ve on my board additionally.”
“I couldn’t deceive McHale,” Thomas mentioned laughing, “so he ended up taking him, and I ended up with Stoudamire.”
Months after retiring from the NBA in 1994, Thomas joined the Raptors group as a part-owner and government vice chairman of basketball operations.
Because the Raptors ready for his or her first season in 1995, Thomas, who’s a local of Chicago, acquired his first take a look at Garnett as a highschool senior within the Chicagoland space. In “Something Is Potential,” the 2 recall their first interactions and Garnett cites Thomas as a serious affect in his choice to enter the NBA Draft out of highschool.
Morning Espresso – Tue, Nov 16 originated on Raptors Republic.
