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Takeaways from the Toronto Raptors Norman Powell-fueled win against the Cavaliers

By Michael Walton

TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 16: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors goes up for a dunk during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 16, 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 Peter Power/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 16: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors goes up for a dunk during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 16, 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 Peter Power/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors – Norman Powell (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

The ‘Year of Norm’ continues

For the first time in his career, Norman Powell has scored at least 20 points in three-straight games. The 26-year old guard out of UCLA has been in the midst of a career-best season, averaging 14.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and shooting 49.8-percent from the field, all career-bests. Powell was electric against the Cavaliers on Monday, finishing with a stat line of 26 points, six rebounds, five assists, one block, and four steals.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have the extremely young backcourt of second-year pro Collin Sexton and rookie Darius Garland, and Powell took advantage of the young duo as he continued to start in place of the injured Fred VanVleet. The Cavaliers spent a decent chunk of Monday night scrambling back in transition defense to slow down the Raptors’ attack and this left plenty of pockets of space for Powell to slide into for great shots.

https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/1206754366889193473

When Powell wasn’t knocking down wide-open, in rhythm 3-pointers (he finished the night 4-for-6 from 3-point range), he was terrorizing Sexton or Garland with drives to the rim. Cleveland lacks any real rim protectors, which left their guards in a ton of trouble at the rim.

Powell finished the night with no turnovers in 36 minutes of action, a testament to his quick decision-making, made easier by Cleveland’s dreadful defense. All game long Powell either drove, shot, or passed the ball almost immediately. This was a big reason for his 5 assists, which is the second-highest total he has posted in a game this season.

Throughout the Toronto Raptors amazing 2019 NBA Championship run Powell was a steady shooter off the bench, knocking in 38.7-percent of his 3-pointers in just under 16 minutes per game. So far through 26 games of the 2019-20 regular season, Powell appears to be on the verge of being much more than a solid bench scorer. Nick Nurse is going to have a tough decision on his hands in terms of the starting lineup when VanVleet comes back, as Powell has been just that good.

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