THE Toronto Raptors ended last week as most would have predicted – beating two of the worst teams in the East while falling to two of the best. So how will they behave against the troubled environment?
Pascal Siakam is officially back to looking like an All-NBA forward. Scottie Barnes continues his rise to (All-)stardom. OG Anunoby is back to terrorize all opposing superstars. Gary Trent Jr. is back in the lineup and appears to have rediscovered his outside shot. Chris Boucher reminded us that he is still an agent of chaos.
Despite a discouraging defeat against the Bucks without Giannis (false comeback, anyone?), the effort against the Celtics (without Anunoby too) and the record hits against the Pistons are making me drink the juice. Have the vibrations returned?
November 21 @ Orlando Magic
Remember how the Raptors got off to a slow start against the Wizards last week? They seemed caught off guard on defense – a possible side effect of a 4 game road trip. Hopefully that happens in Orlando, as they return from a 4-game road trip to kick off a six-game homestand against Toronto.
The Magic continue their rise in power during the Round Robin of the In-Season tournament. Similar to the Raptors, Orlando lost its opener and essentially made all remaining group games must-wins. A perfect 4-0 record is not possible for either team, but entirely possible for the Celtics. Finishing the Round Robin with a 3-1 record gives this team the chance to qualify as a Wild Card with the best 2nd place finish. Assuming at least 1 of the other 2 groups also produces a team with a 3-1 record, point differential will be the deciding factor.
The Raptors lost to the Celtics by just 3, while the Magic lost to the Nets by 20 (along with not yet playing group favorite Boston).
Fun fact that can only interest me
There are only 3 teams in the NBA with more than 1 player averaging at least 18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal per game. I’ll give you a few paragraphs to think about which duos are actually quite dynamic.
Prediction
The Raptors have won 12 of the last 15 meetings with the Magic. However, the three losses all happened fairly recently, in 2022. Toronto’s visit to Orlando last season – a doubleheader in early December – was considered the turning point of the ill-fated campaign. The Raptors were 13-12 and had beaten the Magic a week prior.
Toronto wasted a 36-point effort from Pascal Siakam as Franz Wagner’s 34 points led Orlando to a Game 1 victory. Two days later, the Raptors laid an egg, losing by 12. They would add four more losses to the streak and wouldn’t reach .500 again until Game 76.
Orlando has been impressive to start the season. At 8-5, the Magic are living up to the preseason hype. It should be noted, however, that they have only faced two teams with a top-10 defense (win against the Rockets; loss against the Clippers). The adjustment in defensive intensity will be quite brutal for the young Orlando team. Toronto wins ugly, 96-94, against Orlando.
Have you identified the most productive duos in the league? The Heat (Jimmy Butler & Bam Adebayo), Clippers (Kawhi Leonard & Paul George) and Magic (Paolo Banchero & Franz Wagner).
November 22 @ Indiana Pacers
What a unique streak of back-to-back games for the Raptors, going from one of the best defensive teams to one of the best on the offensive end.
The season-high (and 4th highest in franchise history) 142 points the Raptors lost to the Pistons on Sunday would not make the Pacers’ top 2 this season. Indiana scored 143 points in the season-opening win over the Wizards and 152 points against the Spurs, both in regulation.
Even with the Pistons game full of points, Toronto is averaging just 110.8 points per game. The Pacers have scored 121 points (not a typo) in 9 of 12 games!
Fun fact that can only interest me
Number of 50/40/90 seasons (FG% / 3PT FG% / FT%) in NBA history: 16 (Steve Nash x 4, Larry Bird x 2, Kevin Durant x 2, Malcolm Brogdon, Jose Calderon, Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving, Steve Kerr, Reggie Miller, Dirk Nowitzki, Mark Price)
Number of 50/40/90 seasons with at least 20 points in NBA history: 7 (Bird x 2, Durant x 2, Curry, Irving and Nowitzki)
Number of 50/40/90 seasons with at least 10 assists in NBA history: 3 (Nash x 3)
Number of 50/40/90 seasons with at least 20 points AND 10 assists in NBA history: 1 (if Tyrese Haliburton keeps his current pace)
Prediction
Both teams fly to Indianapolis after playing the day before, with the Pacers playing their third tournament game of the season in Atlanta. Several factors could work in favor of the Raptors.
With tournament victories against the Cavaliers and Sixers already in the books, the Pacers should probably throw everything but the kitchen sink at the Hawks (with the Pistons as the only tournament game remaining) in hopes of securing the top spot in the group. Whether it’s the emotional disappointment of the Hawks game or the eager anticipation of a potential clincher against the Pistons two nights later, the Pacers could be caught off guard against a Raptors team adept at taking them on. beat.
Indiana’s defense is not great (28th). The Pacers have allowed at least 111 points in every game this season (over bet on Toronto exceeding its season average). Rick Carlisle’s defense relies on limiting three-point shots…to the detriment of interior defense. Indiana is No. 1 in three-pointers allowed (made or attempted), but dead last in shots allowed at the rim. This is another factor that should work in Toronto’s favor, as they perform better when winning the points in the paint battle (without needing three points).
Add to that the fact that Indiana ranks 30th in transition points allowed per play for live rebounds, 29th in transition points allowed for steals and 30th in transition points allowed per play overall, and It’s music to Raptors’ transition-hungry ears!
The Raptors control Haliburton and beat the Pacers 120-116.
November 24 against the Chicago Bulls
The Raptors’ only home game this week is special. Yes friends, it’s the highly anticipated return of Diar DeRozan!
In fact, this is the third tournament game of the season and the last (already?) round robin home game for the Raptors. Oh, beautiful terrain design, we barely knew you.
As expected, Chicago took a step back this season and launched “Project Recoup Assets.” I don’t usually share my bad business ideas before the deadline, but since this is a relatively hot topic, I’ll share one:
The Bulls receive: Gary Trent Jr., Markelle Fultz and a future 1st from Toronto
Magic reception: Chris Boucher, Thad Young and a future 2nd from Toronto
Raptors receive: Zach LaVine and Disney World tickets for Diar every time Bulls visit Scotiabank Arena
Fun fact that can only interest me
The first time DeMar DeRozan and Thaddeus Young faced each other was in January 2010, when DeRozan’s Raptors visited Young’s Sixers in Philadelphia. Toronto won 108-106, despite an 18-point, 13-rebound performance from Young, who logged over 46 minutes (lol)!
The starting point guard for the Raptors was Jarrett Jack, which is a convenient excuse for me to post this incredible find at Centrepoint Mall.
Prediction
Can we all agree that the Raptors would have won in Chicago when these teams met on October 27 if OG Anunoby hadn’t left the game in the 4th with an injury? DeRozan scored 18(!) points in the final five minutes of regulation after being released from Anunoby’s defense.
To ensure OG was ready for this important game, the Raptors removed all sharp objects from Anunoby’s kitchen.
With DeRozan probably locked up, and LaVine not really locked inToronto should be able to take care of business against a Chicago offense that ranks 29th in eFG% and ranks among the worst in transition defense. The Raptors beat the Bulls, 109-96.
November 26 @ Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers started their season with a win, followed by a three-game losing streak, then a top-five toughest schedule to open the season, and are currently hovering around .500.
Does this sound familiar?
Toronto and Cleveland may not have the same schedule, but they both played the Pistons.
Fun fact that can only interest me
Donovan Mitchell can take an entire attack on himself. Evan Mobley is already a mainstay of Defensive Player of the Year conversations every year.
Again….
Prediction
The Cavaliers will play the second consecutive game after hosting the Lakers. Currently, Donovan Mitchell is dealing with a hamstring issue while Caris LeVert and Isaac Okoro have missed time with left knee injuries. This post comes six days before the game, so a lot can change with the injury report, but it’s probably safe to say the Cavs could be shorthanded when the Raptors come to town.
Just as Scottie Barnes increased his intensity against fellow top-5 draft pick Cade Cunningham on Sunday, expect Barnes to be very active with Mobley on the court. Darius Garland has already been a thorn in Toronto’s side and should continue to be annoying, despite Dennis Schroder’s best efforts. Even if Mitchell plays, one would have to think the Raptors are in an advantageous position with Anunoby poised to repeat the world of injuries he inflicted last season when Spida shot 3 of 11 and 4 of 16 in losses to Toronto in November December.
If you’ve been following along, I’m about to predict a perfect 4-0 week… which means the Raptors will definitely lose at least two. Let me know in the comments where I went wrong, but nothing happens here: Raptors topple Cavaliers 109-105
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Last week: 3-1
Season record: 9-4
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