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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) /

Kyle Lowry

For ten games now, Kyle Lowry is looking closer and closer to the man we’re used to seeing on a nightly basis.

Averaging 15.4 points and 8.2 assists, Lowry has helped the team to an 8-2 record and largely in the hunt for the first seed, which is still grasped tightly by the Milwaukee Bucks.

This week has been no different for Kyle, where he posted two games with double-digit assists and a great shooting night against the Spurs.

Lowry shot 37-percent from three this week, with a 3-6 night against the Spurs the highlight. It was the games final play where Lowry made the most impact though, his double-team with Kawhi Leonard drawing a turnover from DeMar DeRozan.

Despite his advancement into his twilight years and a loss of athleticism which has hindered his defensive skillset, Lowry hasn’t lost the intangibles. The ability to know when to stay and when to go on defense, and moments like that sum up that IQ.

His partnership with Marc Gasol has blossomed so far as well, the pairing has had a few opportunities to play a two-man game and the results have been promising so far. A pick-and-pop game should be where they excel, Lowry draws attention when driving to the rim which leaves Marc Gasol open for a shot or a pass, evident in this play against the Boston Celtics.

Terry Rozier goes over the screen to avoid Lowry hitting the three and Al Horford fails to register that Gasol has drifted out to the three-point line and drops his coverage. Lowry reads the play immediately and plays the ball back to Gasol. By the time Horford gets out to Gasol, it’s too late, and Big Spain gets the three.

Lowry has been an expert in the passing game for years now, that play is no different. When Lowry plays well, the team plays well.

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