Listed here are 10 takeaways from the Toronto Raptors‘ 114-103 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.
1. The Raptors asserted their dominance over the Lakers from the soar, main 19-2: The benefit would ultimately balloon to comical proportions with Toronto up 30-6 at one level, and the Raptors have been principally in cruise management for the remainder of the way in which. The Raptors did not even play notably properly for extended stretches as the full lack of resistance nearly neutralized their depth, however the Lakers have been too dysfunctional and too inferior to essentially ever make a comeback push. Hopefully, the Raptors can repeat this similar script after they host this sad cohort in Toronto later within the week.
2. Scottie Barnes was prepared for the intense lights: Barnes had the Raptors’ first six factors, and was an ideal 6-for-6 to begin, whereas including in one other three to place him at 15 factors within the first quarter. Barnes had a transparent dimension benefit within the publish, particularly on an evening the place the Lakers began LeBron James at centre, and the Raptors rookie feasted on the protection by attending to the rim at will. The Lakers ultimately shifted to a zone, which slowed the Raptors to some extent, and James grew to become extra prepared to truly attempt on defence, which did restrict Barnes the remainder of the way in which. Nevertheless, he completed with 21 factors, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists to proceed his run of showcase performances because the All-Star break.
3. Barnes went head-to-head with James early within the sport: The 20-year-old caught a cross on the wing and was about to enter his transfer, when he acknowledged the second that was earlier than him. He was matched up with one of many biggest gamers of all time, somebody who has actually dominated the sport since Barnes was a child. Barnes went into his transfer, James matched him for energy and saved him to the sting of the paint, however the rookie nonetheless received the battle by placing up a hook shot over James that swished from 15 toes.
4. Pascal Siakam bought no matter he needed: That is an annual custom, as Siakam’s final journey to the Staples Heart noticed him rating 39 factors in what was additionally Kyle Lowry’s final time placing on a Raptors uniform. The yr prior, Siakam had 24 factors and 11 rebounds in an exciting street win in 2019. The Lakers had higher rosters of their earlier conferences, however they’d no one to cowl Siakam, they usually particularly haven’t got these defenders on the crew proper now. Siakam bought into the publish repeatedly and bought a clear shot every time, whether or not it was along with his signature spin transfer, or just by capturing over a shorter participant. It additionally helped that the Lakers have been too lazy to ship assist till halfway by way of the fourth quarter, however it hardly mattered.
5. The Raptors crushed the Lakers with their dimension benefit: The Lakers began James at centre with three guards and Stanley Johnson, who’s a tough employee and charismatic however is finally a relic of the Tampa Bay Raptors. An harm to Dwight Howard additionally meant that the Lakers did not have a centre off the bench both, whereas the Raptors had 4 six-foot-nine forwards at their disposal. The plain play was to assault the glass and stack our bodies within the lane to contest, and that is precisely how the Raptors operated. The Lakers have been outrebounded 19-9 on the offensive glass, and shot solely 18-for-37 within the restricted space.
6. James was on tilt the entire sport, and never in a great way: His numbers have been pristine and he may clearly rating at will, however he exuded frustration for the complete sport. Within the first half, James slammed the ball 3 times and screamed at his teammates after the Raptors collected an offensive rebound. Then within the third quarter, James ripped Barnes to the bottom going for a free ball, then whipped the ball as arduous as he may towards a helpless rookie to save lots of possession. All through the sport, James refused to get again in transition particularly after the Lakers squandered open appears to be like, and he topped it off by elbowing Siakam within the face with underneath a minute left on a play that someway wasn’t reviewed by the officers, who as an alternative despatched the Lakers star to the road. The Lakers may be past saving, however they nonetheless want a captain.
7. In James’ defence, the Lakers made comical errors all evening: First, they fell down 30-6 and by no means climbed out of the opening. In addition they began off 0-for-16 from three, with a lot of the misses being wild airballs or arduous bricks. There was additionally a common lack of self-discipline, reminiscent of a 26-per-cent shooter in Talen Horton-Tucker opting to drag up from 30 toes out with loads of time on the clock. Their turnovers have been additionally comical, with James both pelting followers within the stands, or Russell Westbrook fumbling assured layups. Even with a little bit of competence, the Lakers may have caught as much as the Raptors within the fourth quarter, however they insisted on making foolish errors that solely added to the frustrations throughout the crew.
8. Nick Nurse made some uncharacteristic decisions along with his lineups: He’s normally so cautious and constant in staggering his starters in order that not less than certainly one of Siakam, Fred VanVleet, or Barnes is on the market always to provide goal and construction to the offence. Besides, he had all three on the bench directly within the first half, leaving Gary Trent Jr. as the one shot creator in a lineup that was in any other case simply forwards who cannot create. It did not burn them because the Lakers are incompetent, however that is the place the Raptors misplaced their momentum. Nurse went again to this lineup within the second half, but additionally acknowledged the necessity to convey his starters again early to calm the waters. At that time, their offence had stagnated.
9. Trent Jr. overcame a gradual begin to end with 28 factors” Trent Jr. struggled to generate clear appears to be like whereas main the second unit, which is a pattern that dates again to final season, and went into halftime capturing simply 1-for-7. His play picked up within the second half, with Trent Jr. exhibiting extra of a renewed deal with getting downhill, which helped him discover extra environment friendly appears to be like. He scored an and-one off a slick publish transfer, bought into the lane for a teardrop, labored the two-man sport with Barnes to seek out house for a midrange jumper, was pesky on the offensive glass, and he was despatched to the road a career-high 13 instances on the evening. Trent Jr.’s performances have swung wildly of late, however when he is on the Raptors nearly at all times win.
10. VanVleet performed 40 minutes however he was clearly restricted: His aggressiveness did not almost match his pedigree as an All-Star, and he shot simply 3-for-14 from the sector, together with 2-for-12 on threes. VanVleet did not have any zip to his drives, which has been a standard theme because the break as his knee stays an ongoing concern. It was most obvious within the fourth quarter when VanVleet was attacking 34-year-old Wayne Ellington, who shouldn’t have been capable of keep in entrance, besides all the purpose guard may muster have been two blocked threes since he could not create separation. It is a main concern that he nonetheless stays so hampered regardless of the time without work.
