With a healthy starting lineup for the first time since March 30, the Toronto Raptors were able to come away with a 114-103 victory against the Brooklyn Nets, extending their winning streak to four games while taking control of the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Although the win comes against a depleted Brooklyn team, it was a huge win for the Raptors, furthering their chances of gaining a playoff spot. Despite the Nets not having Kevin Durant and James Harden, they made things as difficult as possible for the Raptors.
The story of the first quarter was the exceptional guard play from the Nets. Kyrie Irving and Joe Harris combined for 22 points, including six 3-pointers. Harris was a human flamethrower going 4/4 from beyond the arc, making the Raptors pay for lackadaisical defense.
OG Anunoby provided most of the offensive punch for Toronto with eight first-quarter points, showing the development of his offensive game.
OG 👀👉🏽 Slimm pic.twitter.com/xmRX9DEHkq
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 21, 2021
The Toronto Raptors shook off the rush to beat the Nets.
It was evident that there was plenty of rust among the Raptors starters throughout the duration of the first half. Anunoby was the only starter to shoot above 50 percent from the field, while Kyle Lowry was the only starter with a positive plus-minus.
Regardless of the struggles Toronto endured, they were able to cut a 13-point first-quarter deficit into a two-point halftime deficit. A major contributor was the energy on defense, which was spearheaded by rookie Freddie Gillespie.
The undrafted forward from Baylor provided an enormous burst of energy that gave a Raptors defense that was very flat, a significant surge.
Gillespie had two blocks in the first half alone and five for the game, and altered many other shots, maintaining a presence in the paint. A refreshing sight for Raptors fans, as the one major hole that Toronto has been dealing with this season, has finally been filled.
That's a no from Freddie G pic.twitter.com/MTqSFWXLK0
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 21, 2021
Toronto was able to carry their success to end the first half and turn it into a major run, allowing them to gain control over the game. The 3-ball started to fall, and the defense was clicking on all cylinders. Starters brought tremendous on defense, which resulted in multiple easy offensive opportunities.
Anunoby and Pascal Siakam carried the offensive load combining for 52 points on the night. Sadly, Chris Boucher would go down with a left knee sprain that resulted in him exiting the game. However, the play of Gillespie filled the void that the Raptors were missing with no Boucher.
Gillespie finished the game with only four points, and five rebounds, but contributed five blocks. His impact on the defensive end was tremendous and displayed for the basketball world, yet another diamond in the rough within the hands of Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster.
Despite the absence of two of Brooklyn’s three superstars, the squad picked up a huge win over the Nets, increasing Toronto’s playoff hopes.
Could the Raptors help create a Toronto WNBA team?
With the WNBA only having 12 teams to house women's basketball talent, the Raptors making a Toronto WNBA team should be considered by the league.