Post Game Report: The Raptors Take Their First Win in Denver Since 2003

The Toronto Raptors add onto their win column, going 25-21 after taking their first victory in Denver since the 2003-2004 season. The Denver Nuggets were without their point guards, Ty Lawson, and Nate Robinson due to injuries. On a positive note, DeMar DeRozan returned back to the lineup after missing two games with a sprained left foot, and finished with 19 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, going 6-17 from the field, and 7-8 from the free-throw line. Tyler Hansbrough was also productive in his first game with meaningful minutes, contributing with 9 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists in about 13 minutes of play. Courtesy of a balanced attack on both ends, the Raptors were able to push their lead to 25, but they had trouble closing out the game; committing silly turnovers and missing shots. However, still a big win for the team, especially going into tomorrow’s game to do battle with one of the best teams in the Western Conference— the Portland Trail Blazers.

Offense: A-

The Raptor offense was solid this evening; the execution, the movement, the passing, and the shot quality was tremendous (disregarding the last seven minutes of the game). A balanced attack offensively, with 5 Raptors scoring above double-digits, being lead by DeMar with 19, followed by Terrence Ross‘ 18, and Kyle Lowry‘s 13 points and six dimes. The Raptors handed out 24 assists, and only turned the ball over 14 times throughout the game. The team was also able to hit the 100 point mark on near 44% shooting, 38% from the perimeter, and a terrific 90% from the free-throw line. What held the team back from the highest grade possible, was that awful final 7 minutes in the 4th quarter – can’t close out games like that, especially against elite teams. Luckily, they were able to hold the fort against an injury-riddled Nuggets team.

Defense: B

The defense in the first half was pretty poor to say the least. The Raptors gave up nearly 55% from the field in the first half, and gave up too many outside looks. The second half though, was a different story, especially in the mid-part of the 3rd quarter. The Raptors had 7 blocked shots in the game, provided mostly by Ross, and Amir Johnson; as both were big catalysts in allowing the Raptors to gain separation. The Raps also forced the Nuggets to turn the ball over an amazing 25 times, and they were getting out in the passing lanes and disrupting the flow with 10 steals due to constant defensive pressure.

Rebounding: C-

Bad game on the rebounding part, luckily the Raptors were able to clamp down defensively forcing the Nuggets to miss tons of shots. The Raps were out-rebounded by a margin of nine, 49-40. The defensive rebounding margin was lost by six rebounds, and the offensive rebounding margin – one of the strongest parts of this team – was lost by three. Got to box out!

Game Ball: Terrence Ross

The Raptors had such a balanced attack offensively, there was no real standout in this one, compared to the last week and a half with guys like DeRozan going off for 40, Ross with 51, and Lowry with back-to-back 30 point efforts. Tonight, Terrence Ross gets the slight edge over his teammates, because of his terrific efficiency; scoring 18 points 70% shooting, also backing it up with 3 assists, and a massive poster dunk on Kenneth Faried. His offensive repertoire in this game was in full effect. He came of screens, pin-downs, took his defender off the dribble, attacked the basket and got to the free-throw line – just a solid overall game for the sophomore.