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Toronto Raptors find a way to silence critics and shine

By FS Staff

TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 17: Kyle Lowry
TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 17: Kyle Lowry /
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The Toronto Raptors have responded to critics. They’re 5-1 since mid-November and are looking to continue their domination without key players, Serge Ibaka, Delon Wright, and Norman Powell. We’re looking at a team that is highly unselfish and utilizing its entire twelve-man roster.

The Raptors faced tough teams in the month of November. They defeated James Harden’s Rockets, Anthony Davis’s Pelicans and Kristaps Porzingis’s Knicks on Friday night, and they did it with style. One thing we can credit this success to is the Raps’ passing. They finished with 27, 28, and 29 assists in their last three games. Every guy is getting his touches and more importantly, they’re seeing quality shots as a result.

TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 17: C.J. Miles
TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 17: C.J. Miles /

DeRozan and Lowry are starting to heat up

Kyle Lowry seems to be getting back into the rhythm of things. He is getting to the free throw line more often and is leading the league in charges taken. The All-Star point guard has had his fair share of mistakes early throughout the season. Here’s the good news: he was able to learn and correct them. Lowry is averaging 14.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 7.2 APG on 43.4% shooting per ESPN.com.

DeMar DeRozan wants you to know that he’s worth every penny of his $139 million dollar contract. The Compton, CA native made it a goal of his in the off-season to lead the Raptors in assists, and he is following through with that. Currently sitting in second place right behind partner in crime Lowry, DeRozan seems to have become more aware of his surroundings. He’s moving the ball better and getting guys open looks, all while putting up solid scoring numbers. DeRozan is averaging 24.7PPG, 4.2RPG, and 4.5APG all while shooting 47.7% from the field.

Dwane Casey had this to say:

” I think Kyle’s getting it back, you see the bounce in his step, the rhythm of his shot is coming back. DeMar is doing a good job of quarterbacking. . . he had seven assists, that’s huge, so 17 assists plus their points out of that group is huge.”

The Energy line

OG Anunoby held Harden to 2-for-15 shooting from the floor, forcing 6 turnovers from the beard on Tuesday night. Pascal Siakam continued that trend on Friday against the Knicks where he guarded Porzingis keeping him to 3-for-13 from the field. The Raptors bench has been remarkable, each player seems to know their role and executes when needed. With Serge Ibaka, Norman Powell and Delon Wright all sidelined due to injuries; Jacob Poeltl, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby and C.J. Miles have more than filled their shoes. They’re playing very unselfish basketball and it’s been one of the Raptors best characteristics thus far.

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