3 players who have stepped up on the Raptors’ five-game win streak
By Brian Swane
2. Fred VanVleet
VanVleet has been an absolute beast over Toronto’s five-game win streak, not only pouring in the points but contributions in numerous facets of the game.
It started against the Pacers at home in a 118-100 victory that is Toronto’s most lopsided win of the season thus far. The veteran guard went off for 26 points, shooting 10-18 from the field including 6-7 from downtown. With 10 boards and six dimes, VanVleet, who scored 18 points in the second half, was doing it all.
Against the Knicks, VanVleet flirted with a triple-double, compiling 17 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. While Anunoby made the headlines with his scoring outburst, the game turned on VanVleet’s sublime play coming out of halftime.
Fred VanVleet has stepped up for the Toronto Raptors.
FVV had 10 points, five rebounds, five assists, and zero turnovers in a third quarter that saw the Raptors go from trailing 57-53 to leading 91-75.
All that turned out to be a warm-up for Wednesday’s game in Washington. In his most explosive performance of the young season, VanVleet scored his season-high of 33 points, on 13-22 shooting.
He was once again a closer, with 22 of his points coming in the second half, as the Raptors protected the 11-point lead they’d built at halftime.
Considering he started the season with going a combined 8/30 from the field over Toronto’s first two games, VanVleet’s sharpshooting is a relief to Raptors fans, and also indicative of how important he is to their success, particularly for as long as All-Star teammate Pascal Siakam remains out of action recovering from a shoulder injury.