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Toronto Raptors: Whose stock is rising, plus Marc Gasol is settling in nicely

By Thomas Valentine

TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 26: Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Boston Celtics on February 26, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 26: Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Boston Celtics on February 26, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors – Kyle Lowry (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

The Toronto Raptors were back in action after the All-Star break with a 2-1 week and a whole lot of action. How did each player fare individually though?

Well, we’re back. After a week-long absence, the column has returned. Unlike the stars of the NBA, I was not on a weeks vacation, nor was I in attendance at Charlotte for the All-Star weekend, like many of the Toronto Raptors stars.

For those of you who are opposed to the All-Star weekend, you probably didn’t enjoy yourselves. But it was an action-packed weekend with a lot of memorable moments, step to the stage Hamidou Diallo: King of the Dunk.

Alas, the festivities are over and it’s back to business in the NBA. Since we last caught up the Toronto Raptors have played three games, all at home. A heavy defeat to the Orlando Magic was sandwiched in between two victories against top opponents in the San Antonio Spurs and the Boston Celtics – despite what you may currently think of the latter.

We got a better look at new arrivals Jeremy Lin and Marc Gasol, both who have impressed so far. There was also the third arrival over the weekend, Jodie Meeks was brought into the team on a 10-day contract and proved his worth, if only for a brief moment. But there’s no reason to not bring him in for a second stint if the moment allows it. We’ll get around to Meeks’ impact soon enough.

The Raptors were back in action on Friday night, taking on the San Antonio Spurs. The big moment here was obviously the return of franchise legend DeMar DeRozan. His first game back at the Scotiabank Arena since his departure over the summer.

DeRozan featured prominently in the game, but it was his contribution to the final moments of the game that will stand out the most. Serge Ibaka had the opportunity to tie the game at 117 apiece with two free throws with 24.9 seconds left. Ibaka made the first but missed the second.

DeRozan pulled down the rebound and called for calm from his fellow Spurs. Calm would not be the response from Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard. The latter got a hand to the ball as DeRozan was bringing it up the court which caused him to lose control of the ball – in came Kyle Lowry. The double-team from the two teammates snatched the ball free, and Kawhi sprinted to the basket for the game-winning dunk.

Some real poetic narratives at play there, in one of the best moments of the season. The Raptors would go on to win 120-117.

The following game against the Orlando Magic would not come down to the wire, therefore we won’t spend too much time discussing this one.

The Magic came to town and once again stifled the Raptors with some tough defense and a strong second half to stroll to a 113-98 victory, the ghost of Terrence Ross returning to Toronto to provide a game-high 28 points, not a good night for the Raptors.

If there was any way to provide a bounce-back victory it would be by beating a Boston Celtics team in desperate need of a win. The Celtics had lost their last two games, with the most recent of the two being a dismal performance against the Chicago Bulls, they needed this just as much as Toronto.

However, it was the Raptors who would walk away as the victors, in a very, very comfortable fashion. The Raptors led by as much as 31 points and Kyrie Irving didn’t step foot on the court in the fourth quarter, Toronto was dominant on defense and that translated into opportunities on the offensive end.

Now, let’s get to business. Four players caught the eye this week, all for different reasons. However, no one is in the down column. A rare sight.

We begin.

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