Game Stop – The battle tested Raptors are forced to pause hours before tip

The High 5 – Week in Review – Week 10

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 week?

This years Raptors team has been synonymous with perseverance. Not only are they playing every game on the road, they have also faced a multitude of injuries and most recently, a revolving door of coaches. For the most part, they have been able to dodge the impact of the coronavirus. However, that all changed this week.

Despite being ready to take on the Bulls shorthanded, their season was suddenly paused due to health and safety protocols as coaches and players went into contact tracing and isolation. With a pair of games remaining before All-Star festivities, it would surprise no one if the Raptors didn’t play again until after the break.

Right now, the health of the players and their loved ones is far more important.

Week Record (1 – 2) Season Record (17 – 17)

Philadelphia 76ers v Toronto Raptors – L 109 – 102

Some of the Raptors were using the hashtag #nosplits on social media to show that they were focused on winning their Philly-Toronto miniseries outright. However, it was instantly obvious that the 76ers were not messing around. They looked as advertised and put Toronto on their heels. The Raptors defense went to work and chipped away at the lead, but the 6ixers held fast. Toronto missed makeable shots, were lacking creativity and stubbed their toes just as momentum would build. They fought hard, cut the lead to 5, but got no closer.

Toronto Raptors v Miami Heat – L 116 – 108

Lowry rejoined the squad to take on the underperforming but always dangerous Heat on Wednesday. Miami played in their phosphorescent threads and were confidently riding a 3-game win streak. They are built in the same way as Toronto, they prioritize defense and a well-balanced team attack. KLOE’s fresh legs brought some much-needed intensity and purpose, he immediately lifted his teammates. Miami countered with bruising physicality led by Bam. Eventually fatigue set in and attrition wore on the Raptors, they fought to the final whistle but dropped their second straight.

Toronto Raptors v Houston Rockets – W 122 – 111

Toronto was hit hard when 6 members of their coaching staff, including Nick Nurse, missed the game due to health and safety protocols. This gave Spanish National Coach and Raptors assistant Sergio Scariolo captain’s duties. Houston is in an identity crisis of their own, they have stalled since the injury to Christian Wood. The Raps were, understandably, disorganized early. The Rockets tried to strike in the midst of confusion, but the improving synergy of the Raptors catapulted them ahead. Toronto’s trio of guards overwhelmed the Rockets with 75 points. Houston nipped at their heels but there was no looking back.

Chicago Bulls v Toronto Raptors – PPD

The Index – The Leader – Player of the Week

Norm Powell

Gone are the days where Norm would put up 15 a game. No longer is he left to pick up starters scraps, he is now a pillar of Toronto’s scoring attack and expected to top 20 every night. Though it may seem like he is only putting up a few more points per game, in reality, Norm’s scoring has been more impactful than ever before and has been trending upwards all season. Teams must respect his shot, or he will burn them with impunity.

	Points	Rebounds	Assists	Steals	Blocks	FG	3PT	FT
v 76ers	24	4	6	3	0	9/19	2/9	4/4
v Heat	17	1	3	1	0	6/11	3/6	2/2
v Rockets	30	3	1	1	1	10/15	4/8	6/6
Weekly Avg	23.6	2.6	3.3	1.6	0.3	25/45	9/23	12/12
3 Games						55%	39%	100%
Season Avg	17.1	3	1.7	1.2	0.2	48%	43%	90%

Honourable Mention: F. VanVleet

The Middle – The Enemy – Best Opposing Player

Jimmy Butler – Miami Heat

Like a reoccurring TV villain, Jimmy Butler had the Raptors screaming “not him again” on Wednesday. Jimmy was having a relatively quiet night until the 4^th quarter where he took his game to another level. Down the stretch, it was like watching a man play among boys. With a few deliberate, efficient moves and a cheeky half smile, he closed the door on any idea of a comeback and secured the win in business like fashion.

	Points	Rebounds	Assists	Steals	Blocks	FG	3PT	FT
v TOR	27	8	10	3	1	8/17	3/4	8/8

Honourable Mention: J. Embiid (PHI), B. Adebayo (MIA), V. Oladipo (HOU), J. Wall (HOU)

The Ring – The X Factor – Standout Performance

Kyle Lowry

Lowry had a standout game on Friday as he led Toronto to a win, picking up his 18^th career triple double in the process. He manned the reins while also acting the part of de facto coach. Kyle had 5 fouls for a good chunk of the 4^th quarter and played on the edge of chaos with gritty resolution. He talked smack, grifted every trick in the book and bailed out the Raptors with deep bombs.

	Points	Rebounds	Assists	Steals	Blocks	FG	3PT	FT
v Rockets	20	11	10	1	1	6/9	4/5	4/4

Honourable Mention: N. Powell v HOU, P. Siakam v PHI

The Pinky – The Unsung Hero – Key Contributor

Fred VanVleet

As Toronto’s best player this season, Fred may have a small gripe about the lack of All-Star buzz. He’s had better scoring games but he continues to produce in other areas. Most notably this week was his underappreciated defensive effort. His hands moved like flashes of lightning, especially in the paint, swiping and snatching anything that came into his radius. He had 4 blocks(!) and 2 steals against Philly and picked up 3 more against Houston.

Honourable Mention: D. Bembry, C. Boucher

News and Notes

• Late Night Moves – News broke just after the High 5 dropped last week that Minnesota fired their coach Ryan Saunders and immediately signed Raptors assistant Chris Finch. Strange that this happened in the middle of the season but congrats to Coach Finch. Another disciple off Nick Nurse’s coaching tree.
• Felicidades – In other coaching news, Toronto’s Assistant Sergio Scariolo picked up his first NBA victory with a win over the Rockets. Though the circumstances were not ideal, it’s always good news when someone in the organization accomplishes something great. Success breeds success.

Around the League

• League Justice – Minnesota guard Malik Beasley will be suspended 12 games for his conduct as outlined in last weeks High 5.
• Kickball – San Antonio guard Dejounte Murray was fined $25000 for punting the basketball into the stands in Wednesday’s loss to the Thunder.
• Why Not? – Washington guard Russell Westbrook will be partnering with the LA. Promise fund to open a middle/high school in south Los Angeles. This is an incredible gesture and example of a player giving back. The school will be named the “Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy”.
• Reserved – The NBA announced their Eastern and Western conference reserves respectively. Considering the lineups, I am curious as to how team records played in voting, especially in the East.

  

• All Star Shuffle – Phoenix guard Devin Booker and Indiana forward Domantas Sabonis will replace LA’s Anthony Davis and Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant at the All-Star game. Boston’s Jayson Tatum will supplant Durant in the starters pool.
• Hoya Destroya – Georgetown legend and all time Knicks great, Patrick Ewing, will have his number raised to the rafters at Madison Square Gardens. Though he never won a ring, No. 33 was always a formidable obstacle. He is a mountain of a man, who conjures up memories of knee and elbow pads with bags of ice tied to his limbs.

  

Up Next

Toronto had two games left on their schedule before the All-Star break, a Tuesday night tune up against the Pistons in Tampa and a Thursday night matchup against the Celtics in Boston. In light of recent news, these games remain in doubt.