End of a short series of two defeats in a row for the Grizzlieswho revive with style on the floor of the Raptors (119-106), who suffer a second setback in a row, and more broadly an eighth defeat in their last ten outings.
The final gap, of “only” 13 points, is quite flattering for the locals, completely overwhelmed throughout the game by these devilishly efficient Grizzlies in attack (51% in shots with 37 assists out of 48 shots, and 45% behind the arch), under the leadership of the conductor Ja Morant (19 points and 17 assists).
The gap was notably 19 points at the break, after a first half with 30% shooting success from the Raptors, before rising to +23 in the third quarter…
Because the attack was indeed the black spot of the evening for the Raptors, whose shooting success percentage was only 41% at the end of the meeting. It must be said that once again, Nick Nurse, while Fred VanVleet was absent, had opted for a very large and athletic major five, but too easily predictable and defensible, because handicapped by a cruel lack of “spacing”. Like this terrible slump in the second quarter, during which the Raptors scored only two baskets in eight minutes.
A month and a half before the “trade deadline”, and while the Raptors are only in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, it may be time to think about modifying and adjusting this workforce, for Masai Ujiri…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– What is Nick Nurse’s plan in attack? Let us dwell precisely on the case of the technician of the Raptors, of which we have just briefly spoken. While Fred VanVleet, bothered by spasms in his lower back, was at rest, he had chosen to integrate… Juancho Hernangomez in his place, for a five major “tall-ball” composed of Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby , Christian Koloko and the Spanish winger, therefore. A big five, athletic and rather quick and mobile, but tragically ineffective from behind the arc (3/12, all 3 shots having been scored by Anunoby alone). A strategy on which Nick Nurse continues to rely, but which continues not to work. Especially since Malachi Flynn and Gary Trent Jr. were available to provide spacing in this major five, and they played well off the bench. But more than the tactical choices themselves, it’s the rotations that raise questions: Hernangomez and Koloko started the match, but only played 11 and 12 minutes respectively. Wasn’t it then more coherent to start one of the two backs that we have just mentioned, who anyway played more than 30 minutes each? Especially since this “tall-ball” did not prevent the Grizzlies from dominating the rebound battle, with a differential of +10 (62 against 52). In short, Nick Nurse’s plan for his attack is difficult to read…
– Steven Adams, or the extinction of the dinosaurs in the racket. We were talking about the rebound, and the Grizzlies’ dominance in the exercise, and Steven Adams had a lot to do with it. The New Zealand pivot grabbed 17 rebounds during this game, 8 offensive and 9 defensive. This is almost more than the total of Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes, the two most prolific players on their team in this area during the game, with 10 rebounds each. Suffice to say that the Kiwi has made his law both in his racket and in that of the Raptors. In fact, his rough pivot profile and very difficult to move in the key was the worst matchup possible for the Toronto squad, which plays big, but whose interiors are rather slender, and therefore easily physically dominated by a trunk. of the caliber of Steven Adams.
TOPS & FLOPS
✅ The Grizzlies. If Ja Morant’s almost 20-20 double-double is the best individual performance (19 points and 17 assists), all the Grizzlies players are to be congratulated. From Steven Adams, author of the other double-double of the five major with 14 points and 17 rebounds and an outrageous physical domination in the paint, to Dillon Brooks (25 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists) and Desmond Bane (16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals) who contributed in all areas of the game, including John Konchar and his good entry from the bench (11 points and 6 rebounds). Ten players played, all scored and finished with a positive +/-. It was a perfect night for the Grizzlies.
✅ Gary Trent Jr. If Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes finished with a double-double, it was the former Duke back who was a key player for the Raptors. Relegated to the bench since the beginning of December, “GTJ” was brilliant off the bench, being the only one who could put pressure on the Grizzlies defense behind the arc, with five award-winning shots scored from this distance , which alone is half of his team’s total.
⛔️ OG Anunoby. Complicated match for the British winger, who had a hole in shots (5/17), hardly weighing in an attack that was already sufficiently amorphous, with the exception of three winning shots scored. Hampered by faults (4), he notably had difficulty containing an overexcited Dillon Brooks to return to his native land, and who went to the free throw line eight times.
THE FOLLOWING
– Raptors (15-20): “back-to-back” at home against the Suns (01:30)
– Grizzlies (21-13): reception of the Pelicans, in the night Saturday to Sunday (02:00)
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