Bubble Raps – Toronto lays the Hurt on the Nets in a big Game 3 win
The High 5 – Round 1 – Game 3
The High 5 is where I review the last week of Toronto Raptors basketball including how the team did, who were the impact players as well as some news and notes from around the league.
The Thumb – How was the game?
The Brooklyn Nets threw everything but the kitchen sink at Toronto to make Game 2 competitive, but when the Raptors decided enough was enough, they tightened their defensive screws and took care of business. While the Nets are so focused on stopping Pascal, VanVleet has shined as Toronto’s primary offensive weapon. With a surging Siakam, a lockdown defender in Anunoby and a feisty Lowry, it was clear that Brooklyn had their hands full.
Series record (3-0)
Toronto Raptors v Brooklyn Nets – W 117 – 92
Brooklyn’s hot start in Game 2 taught Toronto a valuable lesson about beginning the game with focus and energy. Toronto looked significantly sharper out the gate, showing excellent movement on defense to force early transition opportunities. VanVleet was magnificent once again, his smooth fluidity nicely offsets Lowry’s frantic intensity. Toronto established a sizable lead off a barrage of triples. Ibaka and Siakam came alive in the second half to bury any hopes Brooklyn had for a comeback. Credit to the Nets, regardless of who is in their lineup, they always play as if they have something to prove, but in this series, they are woefully overmatched.
The Index – The Leader – Player of the Game
Pascal Siakam
Pascal looked more like his usual self today, scoring in transition, forcing defenders on their heels and floating to the rim. His 3-point range is starting to come around and he is learning how to adjust to playoff level double teams. Siakam went to work in the midrange with enough second efforts and pump fakes that would make any coach proud. This was his best game in weeks, Siakam looked like the star everyone projects him to be.
| Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | FG | 3PT | FT | |
| v Nets | 26 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 11/23 | 2/6 | 2/4 |
| Series Avg | 21 | 8.3 | 3 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 21/50 | 5/14 | 16/22 |
| 3 games | 42% | 36% | 73% | |||||
|
Season Avg |
22.9 | 7.3 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 45.3% | 35.9% | 79.2% |
Honourable Mention: F. VanVleet
The Middle – The Enemy – Best Opposing Player
Tyler Johnson
Tyler Johnson had a great game, he picked up the scoring slack for an absent Joe Harris. He thumbed his nose at Toronto’s defense and poured in a team high 23 points in cold blood. Johnson did not do much else, but his shooting was enough to spread the floor for others to slash with space. The Nets could have used this type of production in Games 1 and 2. At this point, it may be too little too late.
| Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | FG | 3PT | FT | |
| v TOR | 23 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8/15 | 5/9 | 2/2 |
Honourable Mention: C. LeVert, J. Allen
The Ring – The X Factor – Standout Performance
Serge Ibaka
Serge Ibaka entered the game and quickly splashed a trio of triples to get himself comfortable. He was active on the glass and light on his feet, matching Jared Allen’s energy and athleticism. Ibaka gobbled up a double double with 20 points and a team high 13 rebounds. He was vocal on defense, pointing and directing his teammates like a traffic cop. Ibaka and Powell are developing into a deadly pair off the bench for Coach Nurse.
Honourable Mention: K. Lowry
The Pinky – The Unsung Hero – Key Contributor
Fred VanVleet
Fred VanVleet has been an absolute terror from distance. He scorched the twine with waves of deep 3 pointers (6/10), including a backbreaker from ¾ the length of the court at the halftime buzzer. The Nets are helpless when VanVleet has the ball in the open floor, defenders have no idea how to slow him and whenever Fred has a sliver of space, he makes them pay. Freddy has been a pleasure to watch in this opening round, his playoff resume grows with each passing game.
Honourable Mention: K. Lowry, P. Siakam
News and Notes
- Justice – With support from the Raptors, team President Masai Ujiri released a statement with respect to the incident circulating the web from last years NBA finals. This incident was a small look into the systematic racism that still runs prevalent in our society. There is still a lot of work to do. #IstandwithMasai
Around the League
- Yo Joe? – Without warning, Nets sharpshooter Joe Harris suddenly left the NBA Bubble for personal reasons. Information is limited, but the Nets will desperately miss his ability to spread the floor and connect from deep.
- Draft Decided – The NBA determined its upcoming draft order on Thursday night. This resulted in the Minnesota Timberwolves earning the number 1 selection. Aside from the Warriors picking 2nd, the rest of the top 10 will be determined by the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
- What the Focke? – Charlotte Hornets announcer John Focke was suspended indefinitely after tweeting out a racist word in place of a team name when commenting on the Jazz-Nuggets series.
- Induction – As mentioned in last weeks High 5, Boston forward Gordon Hayward is currently sidelined with an ankle injury while also expecting his 4th In a controversial move, Boston’s General Manager, Danny Ainge, spoke to Hayward’s wife about premature induction so the birth coincides with his time away. Yup, you read that right.
Up Next
The Raptors will have an opportunity to close out the series with a win on Sunday evening. Toronto’s confidence is growing, and a series sweep will not only build their momentum, it will also give them an opportunity to heal from any bumps and bruises while they wait for their second-round opponent.
