10 things from Raptors-Nets
Welcome to the 10 things recap by theScore features writer William Lou, which serves to highlight emerging trends from a Raptors perspective.
Dominant: The Raptors toyed around with the Nets for the first quarter before flipping the switch and controlling the game the rest of the way. Eight Raptors scored in double digits, no starter logged more than 30 minutes, and the much-maligned bench delivered 60 points.
Connection: Kawhi Leonard continues to show improved chemistry with Pascal Siakam. He found Siakam in the third quarter with a look-away dime for an easy dunk and followed that up moments later with an instant hit-ahead dime to a streaking Siakam in transition.
Smart: Kyle Lowry only took three shots in 23 minutes but still managed to contribute in the margins. For example, Lowry is borderline maniacal about quick inbounds and caught the Nets napping in the third quarter when he threw a bullet cross-court assist to Danny Green for three after just two seconds had ticked off the shot clock.
Clever: Lowry also confused the Nets by setting ball screens for Siakam in a highly unorthodox 4-1 pick-and-roll. Jarrett Allen consistently got caught on Lowry's screens, which cleared the paint for Siakam's darting drives to the rim.
Busted: Brooklyn pulled out a zone defense but the Raptors easily solved that scheme by delivering the ball to Greg Monroe in the post. Monroe is an excellent passer out of the post and reversed the ball for open shots or for cutters to slash to the basket, or he simply scored in the post over the skinnier Ed Davis. Monroe was highly productive as he finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, and two assists in just 15 minutes of play.
Sneaky: Danny Green continues to be an elite shot-blocker for his position. He recorded two highlight-worthy stops at the rim tonight, including a chase-down block on Joe Harris. Green has an astute sense of timing and knows exactly when to leave his feet.
Steady: Norman Powell continues to produce even on nights when his three doesn't fall. He's much steadier on his drives to the basket, and he's keeping the pass in mind instead of always looking to create his own shot.
Aggressive: Delon Wright seems insistent of late to post up against smaller guards, as he scored twice over Shabazz Napier tonight. Wright is unselfish to a fault, but he needs to use his size and athleticism to his advantage way more often to carve out a potential starting role somewhere down the line.
Impressive: OG Anunoby capped off an efficient night (13 points on 5-of-6 shooting) with a gorgeous scoop reverse layup after putting Kenneth Faried in the spin cycle on a post-up.
Glow up: It's hilarious that the Raptors once looked to DeMarre Carroll as the savior at small forward, especially now that Leonard is on the team. Carroll was his usual self as he shanked layups, clanked open threes, and generally got torched on both ends.