2 key takeaways as Chris Boucher, Raptors take down Mavericks

Fred VanVleet, Chris Boucher, and the Toronto Raptors started off their matchup against the Dallas Mavericks so poorly that it looked like they were about to be run out of the gym. While big names like Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes didn’t play, the first few minutes Toronto put on display were not NBA basketball.

Things changed when Boucher came into the game, as the veteran forward gave the team the energy and grit they needed to snap back to reality. Toronto took a two-point lead into halftime despite being down by 13 after six minutes, and Boucher’s 12-point, eight-rebound effort helped out.

Despite an illness clearly impacting VanVleet’s play, No. 23 finished with 26 points, six rebounds, and seven assists in the 105-100 victory. Boucher, who leads the NBA in double-doubles off the bench in the last three years, chipped in with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Two inarguable truths have emerged as a result of this contest. Even in his compromised state, VanVleet showed that he can be an All-Star point guard once again if he could stay on the floor. Secondly, the Sixth Man of the Year hype Boucher started to pick up in the Tampa bubble needs to be reignited after his sizzling start.

Fred VanVleet and Chris Boucher carried the Toronto Raptors

VanVleet has been a true enigma at times this year. While he didn’t make a shot from the field and scored one point in a loss to the 76ers, he scored 89 points in his next three games. When he’s locked in and feeling fine physically, there are few better in this conference at his spot.

Much like last year, VanVleet is playing as big a role as anyone on this team in keeping the Raptors afloat without Siakam. Despite starting Juancho Hernangomez and giving Jeff Dowtin minutes against Dallas, VanVleet was the main offensive leader for this beat-up unit.

Boucher, who was averaging 12.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game coming into the Dallas matchup, has improved his field-goal percentage year over year while putting up the best rebounding numbers he’s ever amassed. The three-year contract that he agreed to in the offseason looks like a bargain.

While Toronto’s poor record in Tampa hurt Boucher in the eyes of the voters, the Raptors may be in a better position to make some noise in the postseason this year. Boucher is no longer just stat-padding on a bad team; he’s one of the main cogs in a machine that can beat some of the best in the East.

The Raptors are still a flawed team that has a very long way to go before they can be considered no-doubt contenders, but nights like Saturday show that even a compromised VanVleet and Boucher playing without his favorite running mate in Precious Achiuwa can make some magic happen.