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Fansided

Three takeaways from Toronto Raptors rout vs Brooklyn Nets

By Thomas Valentine

BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 4: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on January 4, 2020 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 4: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on January 4, 2020 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors – Fred VanVleet (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Backcourt heroics

Having two great point guards on the court at the same time is a recipe for success, and the Toronto Raptors are able to start Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry as a backcourt tandem. That’s a good thing.

There haven’t been too many games this season where both have been shooting lights out and on top form at the same time, and that’s also okay. Sometimes, it’s Lowry who does the heavy lifting and other nights its VanVleet who carries the load.

Against the Nets, it was both, something that was desperately needed. The Raptors are still without Pascal Siakam, their most potent offense player, which means scoring needs to come from elsewhere. Thankfully, the backcourt has obliged.

Fred VanVleet led the scoring in this game with 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting and 5-of-8 from three-point range. He got his points from all over the court, knocking down deep threes or attacking the rim and absorbing contact in the process, hitting a magnificent circus shot in the second half while getting pulled back.

To make his game even more impressive, he led the game in assists too, dishing out 11 dimes, showing his prowess in the pick-and-roll in transition.

While Lowry didn’t have the best shooting night, he still had 26 points and knocked down five three-pointers. Without Lowry and VanVleet, the Raptors only knock down three triples in this game.

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