The Clippers are slowly but surely approaching the top of their conference. By winning easily on the floor of the Raptors (113-124), they pocketed a seventh success in nine games. Where Toronto’s short two-game winning streak, after six consecutive losses, is already over.
The Canadians were dominated in almost all areas of the game. This did not prevent them from being well in contact at the end of the first period (56-60). But with an active Ivica Zubac in the rackets, Los Angeles put on a serious boost in the third quarter. The very big end of the period by Norman Powell – author of 11 points in a row for his team – allowed the Clippers to fly away before the final quarter (82-97).
Relegated to more than 20 points in the following minutes, Toronto recovered its head a little thanks to the energy of the Pascal Siakam – Scottie Barnes – OG Anunoby trio. The Raptors thus returned to a dozen points in the last minutes. But Paul George with a “stepback” at mid-distance, Kawhi Leonard with a “tip-in” or Nicolas Batum in the 3-point corner were responsible for closing the debates.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Return of the champions. NBA champions in 2019, Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell returned to Canada for the first time since the Covid-19 epidemic. The first, who took the opportunity to greet Drake, had not played in his Scotiabank Arena garden since December 11, 2019 and his ring ceremony. ” There are always great memories associated with this room. I’d rather give Toronto fans the chance to see me play again. It was part of my decision notes “The Klaw” in reference to playing his first “back-to-back” of the season.
– No fatigue for the Clippers. Tyronn Lue’s men were therefore playing their second match in two evenings. And this after having played an extension the day before in Detroit. They did not reach their hotel in Toronto until… 3 o’clock in the morning. ” It just shows the level we can play no matter what is against us when all the guys are focused and playing for each other. “, welcomes Norman Powell. The Raptors haven’t played since December 23…
– The release of Fred VanVleet. It is not tomorrow the day before that Nick Nurse will limit the playing time of his favorite point guard to only 23 minutes. The explanation for its low use this night is simple: the holder had to join the locker room at the start of the third quarter due to discomfort in the lower back. Malachi Flynn took over and, failing to compensate in terms of creation, proved skilful.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Pascal Siakam. New All-Star match against the one he was the lieutenant of in 2019. Like his entire team, the Cameroonian did not find the 3-point target but he never stopped attacking the circle. His staggered supports to reach it are always impressive.
✅ Ivica Zubac. While Reggie Jackson, Norman Powell and Paul George have also reached or exceeded the 20-point mark, we stop on the big performance of the pivot who symbolized the interior domination of the Clippers, in particular on the rebound. ” It’s a monster close to the circle, ten offensive rebounds “says Tyronn Lue who did not hesitate to use it while the opposing team was playing without a pivot.
✅ Defense on Kawhi Leonard. Hats off to OG Anunoby for limiting his former teammate. He was well helped by Scottie Barnes and a well-organized collective defense against the best player opposite, who was regularly taken down after a screen was placed. Kawhi Leonard took the opportunity to serve his teammates and finished as the game’s best passer.
⛔ Juancho Hernangomez. Holder for two weeks, the Spaniard brought so far 5 points and 4 rebounds on average in 26 minutes. That night, he did nothing by missing his five shot attempts.
THE FOLLOWING
Raptors (15-19) : reception of the Grizzlies, Thursday.
Clippers (21-15) : trip to Boston, Thursday.
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