Chris Boucher credits Kyle Lowry after charge seals Raptors win

The Toronto Raptors picked up their 40th win of the season against the Philadelphia 76ers, moving its team closer to a winning season just a few months removed from Kyle Lowry joining the Heat. With stars like Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby out, the likes of Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher stepped up.

While Achiuwa amasses 21 points in one of his finest games of the season, Boucher tallied yet another double-double by scoring 12 points and snagging 14 rebounds. He also came through with a play that confirmed victory for Toronto, even if he picked up a battle scar as a result.

Boucher drew a charge on a James Harden drive that gave Toronto the ball back with a two-point lead and just a few seconds remaining. Boucher showed the feel for the game and toughness required to absorb a blow from Harden in such a critical situation, and he credits his old mentor No. 7 for that play.

Boucher, who has picked up 13 charges this season, claimed that Kyle “helped me a lot” with learning how and when to draw offensive fouls. Lowry teaching Boucher about the geometry needed to get the proper angle and positioning has helped Boucher force a few more turnovers this season.

Toronto Raptors big man Chris Boucher gave credit to Kyle Lowry.

In three games against the Sixers this year, Boucher has averaged 19.0 points and 13.0 rebounds per game. Despite having big bodies like Embiid in their rotation, the stringy Boucher has had a great deal of success against Philly on the glass. Taking that charge exemplifies Boucher’s basketball smarts in addition to his box score stuffing.

Boucher has averaged 9.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this year, but that’s in spite of the fact that he started the year off in a very sluggish fashion. Despite added competition from Thad Young and Achiuwa playing his best basketball lately, Boucher has been thriving as one of the team’s key reserves.

Having a veteran leader like Lowry around to mentor young guys can pay immediate dividends, but those gains might not be realized until a few seasons down the road. Lowry’s teachings have helped Boucher grow as a player and person for years, and now they’re helping Toronto takedown rivals on the road.

Even though Lowry is now playing his trade in Miami, the impact that he had on this franchise is still reverberating. Boucher was taking a big risk in trying to draw a charge with just seconds to go in the game, but his decision proved fruitful for the Raptors. let’s just hope.