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Toronto Raptors: 3 things to watch for against the new-look Suns

By Alexandro Fidanza

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 29: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns talks with Devin Booker #1 during the second half of the NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns Arena on December 29, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 29: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns talks with Devin Booker #1 during the second half of the NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns Arena on December 29, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors vs 76ERS (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

The Toronto Raptors’ supporting cast have to shoot better from three

There is a lot going wrong with the Toronto Raptors, but their biggest problem has to be their inability to be a good three-point shooting team. They shoot the most threes in the league but are ranked 25th in three-point percentage at 33.5. If you remove Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet from the mix — they shoot it a combined 37 percent from three — the rest of the team has been shooting the three at a 31.1 percent rate.

The Raptors need to make threes in order to win. It is what their whole offense is based on but they continuously shoot worse than their opponent from that area. If the Raptors were even shooting 35 percent from three, that’d make all the difference from having a 1-5 record to possibly having a 3-3 or even 4-2 record.

Key players we have to look at are OG Anunoby who is shooting 25 percent from three; Stanley Johnson who is shooting 16.7 percent from three; and Aron Baynes who is shooting 20 percent from three. These are all players who have been regulars in the lineup that have been shooting extremely poorly.

The Raptors have to make their open shots from three if they want any hope to win, and it might be more difficult tonight than any other. The Phoenix Suns are one of the best defensive teams in the league with a defensive rating of 103.4 (third-best in the league). They also allow their opponents to shoot the second least amount of threes in the league, per Cleaning The Glass.

Getting open looks will be tougher, but they have to make the most out of the looks they do get.

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