Three takeaways from Toronto Raptors first-half inspired win vs Utah Jazz

An unfathomable first half

That first half of basketball against the Utah Jazz was just about indescribable. Just about, though. The Toronto Raptors ran roughshod over Quin Snyder’s team in the first half, putting up a historic scoreline in the process. The Raptors led by 40 points at the half with 77 points, two points shy of their franchise record in a half.

That 40-point lead at the half was the biggest halftime lead in Raptors history, the biggest halftime deficit in Utah Jazz history and tied for the eighth-biggest halftime margin in NBA history, courtesy of AP NBA writer, Tim Reynolds.

With the offense humming, the Raptors couldn’t be stopped. That offense was largely initiated by the excellent defense that resulted in countless turnovers from the Jazz which were turned into fastbreak points by the Raptors. Their bread and butter.

The Raptors funneled dribble-drive attempts into the paint where Marc Gasol stood waiting with a surge of Raptors hands tearing the ball away from unsuspecting Jazz players. It was poetry in motion. Overall, the Raptors shot 52-percent from the field and from three, holding the Jazz to 42-percent from the field and 37-percent from three.

Sure, the second half was nowhere near as debilitating for the Jazz as the first half, but it didn’t need to be. The Raptors defense means they are more than comfortable with holding a lead, and they did just that.