The Toronto Raptors (51-25) fall to the San Antonio Spurs, 102-95, in a game that saw strong performances from rookies Norman Powell and Delon Wright.
The Spurs (64-12) remain perfect at home and have set a single-season franchise record in wins. LaMarcus Aldridge earned himself a double-double (31 points, 15 rebounds) and Kawhi Leonard managed to break his career-record in points with 33 (I know, it just seems way too low).
Coach Dwane Casey decided to rest his All Stars in Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, giving Cory Joseph the start against his former team. When one of these two players rest, the Raptors usually have trouble finding an offensive rhythm, but tonight the Raptors played the Spurs down to the final seconds.
Offence: A-
Without the presence of Lowry and DeRozan, the Raptors showed a solid offensive performance. Six players ended up scoring in double figures. Joseph and Jonas Valanciunas were able to score 16 points each. Patrick Patterson and Terrence Ross gave the Raptors a lift off the bench, scoring 12 and 13 points respectively.
Powell and Wright were the highlights of the night- giving Raptor fans hope in the team’s future. Powell scored 17 points, shooting 50 per cent from three, and Wright scored 12 points while dishing out 3 assists. Like this one here:
Delon Wright wheelin' & dealin' in San Antonio. #RTZ https://t.co/ajrI1SOXxl
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 3, 2016
Powell getting himself a highlight in these articles is becoming the Norm.
Deja vu? #RTZ https://t.co/9SM7KJamiH
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 3, 2016
Defence: C+
The Spurs were just being the Spurs: showing off fluid ball movement and solid fundamentals. I mean look at this and say it isn’t beautiful basketball:
Everything about this…. pic.twitter.com/cvN5u6fVzW
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 3, 2016
The Raptors also had trouble defending the pick and roll, resulting in mismatches that gave the Spurs easy looks to the basket. Most of Aldridge’s 31 points came frommid-range shots or open dunks off the pick and roll.
While the Raptors were able to hold San Antonio to 5-20 shooting from beyond the arc, the Spurs put together big runs in the fourth quarter that gave them enough breathing room to ice the game.
Rebounding: D
The Raptors were absolutely demolished on the defensive glass. They allowed the Spurs to grab 15 offensive rebounds, resulting in easy buckets.
There was even one stretch where the Raptors allowed the Spurs to grab three consecutive offensive rebounds before Bismack Biyombo finally grabbed the ball. Toronto did put up a valiant effort against an elite San Antonio team, but it is almost certain that poor rebounding will show up in the film room during practice.
Game Ball: LaMarcus Aldridge
The L-Train showed up tonight.
LaMarcus Aldridge: 30 points and 10 rebounds for the 3rd time in his last 4 games.
He did not have a 30-10 game in his first 66 games.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 3, 2016
His double-double performance gave the Raptors a headache on the offensive end. He was able to get some easy open dunks and bully anyone who dared to guard him in the post. Not to mention his four offensive rebounds. His physical style of play and scoring prowess helped give the Spurs the win, earning him tonight’s Game Ball.
