Toronto Raptors: Kawhi Leonard battles his way to player of the week
Every Sunday we bring you the Toronto Raptors player of the week. This week belongs to Kawhi Leonard, who has been solid during the last three games.
In a very strange turn of events, the Charlotte Hornets managed to put an end to yet another Toronto Raptor win streak, but the truly curious part is that it was at the hands of Jeremy Lamb yet again. This marks the second time in as many weeks that Lamb was the one to plunge a dagger in the heart of the Toronto Raptors courtesy of a game-winning three-pointer. Asides from the loss to the Hornets, the week was spent beating potential first-round playoff matchups.
With only two games left on the schedule, it was reassuring to see the team in a playoff state of mind, captained by Kawhi Leonard the Raptors kept a steady hand and cruised to victory, for the most part. It’s exciting to give him the ball late-game and just watch him go to work.
Kawhi Leonard’s week
Monday night saw the Orlando Magic rolling into town, the Magic had strung together a 6-game win streak before losing to the Detroit Pistons but then quickly bounced back against the Indiana Pacers. As poorly as the Magic had played at certain parts of the season they are still a dangerous team and are in-the-hunt for a playoff spot so, the Raptors needed to be on notice. A usual slow start for the Raptors wasn’t enough to deter them from pulling away after the second quarter.
The Raptors made quick work of the hungry Magic brushing them aside for a 121-109 win at home. Leonard was almost his usual self doing a little bit of everything, he scored 15 points while assisting on five buckets and grabbing seven rebounds. Leonard and the rest of the Raptors took a backseat this night as Danny Green torched the opposition with 29 points (7-10 from three-point land).
Wednesday night against the Brooklyn Nets was another testing game for the Raptors as the Nets are yet another of the potential playoff teams. Led by D’Angelo Russell, the Nets are a scrappy team that somehow find a way to get the job done. But, the Raptors had other plans for the playoff hopefuls. Jumping out to a quick lead the Raptors never looked back, leaving the Nets in their dust.
Leonard was wonderful on the night, taking over at certain parts of the game Leonard showed the Nets he could get a bucket whenever he wanted. Scoring 26 and nine rebounds Leonard was part of a three-headed Raptors attack composed of Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka and Leonard himself who, all totaled together, scored 77 of the Raptors 115 points.
Another late game loss to the Hornets. It’s almost unbelievable to think that Jeremy Lamb, and not Kemba Walker, is the Charlotte Hornets’ player giving the Raptors all these late-game blues. This is no offense to Lamb, who has had a very good year, but it’s simply surprising that the Hornets have managed to squeak away with two victories against the Raptors let alone at the hands of Jeremy Lamb.
Leonard showed up once again, dragging the team through this game Leonard had 29 points, six rebounds, and four assists but was a very efficient 12-18 from the floor. Although, it should be noted that one of Leonard’s misses came with one second left in the game as Leonard missed a fall-away jumper that would have equalized the game. This loss snapped the Raptors five-game winning streak.
Who missed the cut?
Green had a stellar game against the Magic but was quieted down the next two games causing him to miss the cut. Ibaka was yet again a solid presence in the lineup averaging 19.3 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Make sure to check out the Raptors Player of the Week every Sunday at RaptorsRapture.com