It felt just like the Raptors gave their followers a novel of what’s to come back in a really entertaining preseason loss.
Chapter 1: Lots of the primary quarter was…woof
Brutal first chapter right here by Toronto, displaying a anemic 0-8 capturing begin and 25 % total within the opening quarter. The Raps allowed six open threes from Boston, some off miscommunication on switches and others huge open within the nook, one thing we’ve gotten accustomed to seeing from previous seasons. Total, T.O discovered themselves down 31-16 after one and loads of followers began contemplating slashing the Raps win complete prediction this season by oh I don’t know, 10?
Chapter 2: Scottie’s 20/20 imaginative and prescient
Regardless of all of that, Scottie Barnes had three of his 9 assists within the first. The third one particularly was particular. If Barnes is snug threading lead passes in visitors like THIS? Holy.
Scottie Barnes along with his third help pic.twitter.com/e1XBtMoQmi
— Raptors Republic (@raptorsrepublic) October 9, 2021
Barnes completed with eight assists, averaging 6.3 in three preseason video games. Trent being the cutter on this play is particularly noteworthy, given his considerably suspect shot choice at occasions. GTJ is perhaps in a greater place to excel taking part in alongside playmakers resembling Barnes, versus being anticipated to guide a bench unit the place he has a knack of firing in poor health suggested photographs. Rotations are removed from identified although (one thing that Nurse modifications consistently anyway), so seeing who Trent performs alongside will likely be one thing to observe because the season progresses.
Scottie added 9 factors on 4-10 capturing. Nick Nurse realizes groups could begin taking part in him in another way whereas he works on getting buckets at a dependable fee.
“He’s going to have to mix that with some scoring,” Nurse mentioned after the sport. “They’ll begin taking part in him for to move, when he will get by any person he has to get to the rim a bit bit. I feel Scottie will get by some guys and needs to be striding into his layup, attending to the free throw line a bit bit extra. We thought he was a ball dealing with passer, and he’s displaying us that.”
Chapter 3: Achiuwa’s versatility
We’d have discovered extra about Treasured Achiuwa than another Raptor this preseason. “The man we obtained again for Kyle Lowry” has been displaying off a powerful show of mobility, first rate capturing mechanics and toughness contained in the paint over the primary three video games. Treasured’ capacity to deal with the ball upcourt is type of Pascal-esque, which might result in fast baskets from unsuspecting defences.
Spectacular sequence from Treasured Achiuwa. pic.twitter.com/OJyPAhB1Gh
— Brett Usher (@hooperbole) October 9, 2021
I’m going a bit bit out of order right here, skipping to the third quarter. Right here’s one other instance of Achiuwa being VERY snug initiating the offence and bridging Barnes’ nice block on Tatum to the end on the opposite finish. Underrated bounce move too out of your small ball CENTRE.
Scottie Barnes skies for the block and the slam #NBARooks x #NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/dxC1ZMwypr
— NBA (@NBA) October 10, 2021
Achiuwa completed with 13 factors, 13 boards, two assists, three steals and a block. He did miss all 4 of of his three-point makes an attempt, however he solely tried one his whole rookie season. It’s going to be fascinating to see how Achiuwa’s swiss military knife recreation is used this season.
Chapter 4: OG including to his bag
Yeah, followers are going to gush about what varieties of photographs OG Anunoby is able to taking all season lengthy.
OG Anunoby flashing a step-back 
Is he a 2021-22 breakout candidate?pic.twitter.com/L1qeGVl72D
— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) October 10, 2021
You’re seeing OG understand his budding potential each recreation now. He had a step again three within the nook over Al Horford a number of possessions prior, contributing to the Raptors 43 level second quarter. What a Jekyll and Hyde half!
Anunoby additionally had no points taking up Horford in third quarter.
OG Anunoby cooking off the bounce. 
pic.twitter.com/QOeH6vKXfW
— Brett Usher (@hooperbole) October 10, 2021
“He’s just about in his rhythm and his circulate however I type of anticipated that. With Pascal being on the market’s actually not a lot sharing OG has to do. He’s our primary choice proper now.” Fred VanVleet mentioned.
Talking of VanVleet, I may do third quarter chapter on the kind of photographs he was making within the third quarter. We’ve seen these sizzling streaks earlier than although. How OG and Pascal choose and select their spots to attain the season together with Fred lastly being the lead guard he at all times wished to be can even be one thing to observe.
Chapter 5: Svi likes reverse dunks
The Raptors placed on their first quarter masks to start the fourth however by no means thoughts that. OG has additionally been discovered of the reverse flush up to now. Svi Mykhailiuk put one down in Philly the earlier recreation, and tried so as to add a bit extra pizzazz (and giggles I assume) this time round. I simply wished a motive to place this right here.
Svi Mykhailiuk'un ters smaç denemesi beklendiği gibi gitmese de, şans Ukraynalı oyuncunun yanındaydı! 
#NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/ap6Ix8FIbV
— NBA Türkiye (@NBATurkiye) October 10, 2021
Chapter 6: Banton’s 4th quarter run
Dalano Banton gives the final chapter to what made this recreation so fascinating. After Jabari Parker put Boston up eight with simply over two minutes to go, Banton drove by Parker for a and-one. He then discovered David Johnson off a display for 3, stripped Sam Hauser for a transition layup the opposite manner. Fairly quickly after the sport was tied. Banton had an opportunity to win the sport with a 3 as a result of NOBODY wished to see extra time, nevertheless it was simply off. In complete, Dalano had seven factors and two assists in simply six minutes of play. That’s a hell of a efficiency.
Monday’s recreation towards Houston could possibly be the final first rate preview earlier than these video games depend. Contemplating the Raptors each finish the preseason and open the common season towards Washington, I might anticipate that final tune-up to be fairly vanilla.
Tip Jamar Hinds
Raptors exhibit quite a few identities in loss to Celtics originated on Raptors Republic.
