Toronto Raptors: Stock up, stock down as winning streak concludes
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors may have lost a close game against the Cavaliers, but that shouldn’t erase the fact that this team was playing inspired basketball. Despite players like Chris Boucher and Precious Achiuwa struggling, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby led the Raptors to five straight wins, two of which came without Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam.
Toronto has seen both Anunoby and VanVleet break out on the offensive end. Of course, you won’t win five games in a row in the NBA on the back of two players. Relative preseason unknowns like Svi Mykhailiuk and sparkplug Dalano Banton have proven to be valid rotation players after Goran Dragic was essentially deactivated.
The Raptors have one of the best defenses in the league due almost entirely to their length, hustle, and switchability. If the offense starts to catch fire from beyond the 3-point line, this team is going to be very dangerous in the spring.
With Siakam ready to return to action and a very tough stretch of divisional games coming up, this could be one of the most pivotal stretches all season long for the Raptors. Which players have momentum, and which are struggling?
Stock Up, Stock Down for the Toronto Raptors after their winning streak.
Stock Up: OG Anunoby
Anunoby was forcing things during his sluggish start, but those first two games look like things of the past. Fans were hoping all offseason long that he would take that next step on the offensive end, and what we’ve seen in the last three games was Anunoby exhibiting all of the steps forward he has made.
Anunoby averaged 26.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game during his last three contests, including a career-high 36 points in a tremendous road win against a good Knicks team in New York. His shooting, offensive creation, and handles are lightyears better than what they were last year.
OG Anunoby is evolving on offense for the Toronto Raptors.
Anunoby might need to figure out how to adjust when Siakam comes back into the lineup, as he could be part of a starting lineup the features five different players who can create their own shot and lead the team in scoring on any given night. That is the dictionary definition of a good problem to have.
Anunoby might have a smaller volume of shots with Siakam back, but given his efficiency, willingness to both put the ball on the floor and pull up from deep, and feel for the game, he should have no trouble adjusting. Anunoby was the guiding light for this team on offense this week, showing he can carry the load when requested.