Raptors Cage

Post Game Report Card: Raps Rebound In Win vs Pistons

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DD DP

The Toronto Raptors improve to 36-27, after a win against the Detroit Pistons tonight, 101-87. With the loss on Monday night to the Brooklyn Nets, the Toronto Raptors know that every game going forward is of great importance, especially in hopes of securing an Atlantic Division title. The Raptors found stride right from the get-go, and found themselves up by as many as 17. They saw their lead diminish to 5 in the second –half, but turned up their intensity, helping add another W to the win column.

Offense: B+

Facing a Detroit team that ranks in the bottom-third in terms of defensive-efficiency, the Toronto Raptors were aware that defense wasn’t necessarily the Pistons’ forte. In knowing so, the Toronto Raptors came out attacking on offense tonight, scoring both in, and out of the paint (8-20 from 3pt-range). Their ball movement was as fluent as they’d have liked, but that hasn’t been a huge concern for the Raptors as of late. All-Star DeMar DeRozan led all scorers with 25 points, followed by Amir Johnson who had 20 points, while Kyle Lowry added 19.

Defense: A+

With the Detroit Pistons, you really don’t know what you’re going to see from them from an offensive standpoint, but tonight that didn’t really matter. The Pistons were unable to find a rhythm offensively throughout the majority of this game, and you can thank the Toronto Raptors defense for that one. Holding them to just 43% shooting, the Pistons never found a flow on O. Even with a size advantage inside, the Pistons elected/were forced to settle for low % looks, which took away from their offensive-dynamic.

Rebounding: A+

When you’re facing an opponent who’s sporting a lineup consisting of Andre Drummond, Josh Smith, and Greg Monroe, your initial reaction is that you very well could have yourself a tough night on the glass. Tonight however, was a much different story, as the Toronto Raptors absolutely dominated from a rebounding from, out-rebounding the Pistons, 54-39 (15 offensive). Led by Jonas Valanciunas’ 13 rebounds, it was a collective rebounding effort by the Toronto Raptors tonight.

Game Ball: Amir Johnson

In what has been an up-and-down season for Amir Johnson this year, it seems as if he might be finding his groove again. Having combined for 31 points on 15/23 shooting the past couple of games, Johnson responded with another superb game tonight, finishing with 20 points, and 9 rebounds (one shy of a double-double). He did an excellent job in doing what he does best; crashing the glass, and being extremely efficient from within the paint. The Toronto Raptors are going to need more of that going forward, especially if they want to lock up that Atlantic Division title.

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