On the one hand, a team of Toronto who had lost eight of their last ten games before this meeting, on the other a team of phoenix who went to Canada having lost four times in his last five outings.
In short, this Raptors – Suns on the floor of the Scotiabank Arena was a duel of teams in bad shape lately, and it is the locals who have reassured themselves, at least temporarily until the next match.
Nick Nurse’s troop, in “back-to-back” after a nasty defeat against Memphis the day before, was carried by Gary Trent Jr, holder for only the third time in December and author of a very great game in attack (35 points at 11/22 on shots), in the continuity of his good performance the day before, coming off the bench against the Grizzlies. The rear was well supported by a Pascal Siakam sober but effective, and by the late but decisive awakenings of Scottie Barnes and rookie Christian Kolokoeach author of an important award-winning shot in the “money-time”.
On the Suns side, the sun continues to struggle to shine after this fifth setback in six games. Over the match as a whole, everything is of course not to throw away, since Monty Williams’ men fought until the end, with a limited rotation (Devin Booker, Landry Shamet and Cameron Payne were absent), but the defeat can still be explained quite simply: 25 lost balls, which resulted in 34 points for the Raptors!
Impossible to win in such conditions…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Gary Trent Jr, Nick Nurse’s Paying Fit. We had highlighted his good game against the Grizzlies last night, and the inconsistency of his substitute status in a team that suffers a lot from his lack of “spacing” with regard to his major five. And after his team’s poor performance on offense against Ja Morant and his gang, Nick Nurse learned the lesson and adjusted: Gary Trent Jr. started against the Suns. And it is an understatement to say that the adjustment paid off, the former Dukie bringing a dimension of “shotmaking” that this team, with the exception of Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet (absent), does not really have. At 50% shooting success (11/22), “GTJ” planted 35 points, with four award-winning shots, and nine free throws, on as many attempts. A clean match, dictated by a relevant shot selection and an always high aggressiveness towards the circle. The back of the Raptors thus reminded his coach that he remained the most obvious choice in the five major, to rule out the game alongside “FVV” and the trio of greats (Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes and OG Anunoby) . It remains to be seen whether the Raptors technician has made improving spacing his resolution for the new year 2023, and whether he will confirm Trent Jr. again in the five major for the rest of the season.
– For the Suns, 25 reasons to have regrets. Or the total bullet losses of Chris Paul’s teammates, the first on the dock with 6 leather losses alone. Collectively, the Suns were terribly inaccurate offensively, as that total of 25 ball losses is nearly equivalent… to their total assists, which was 26. A nightmarish night in leather management, which made any set-up or tempo management impossible. And above all, the consequences were even greater in defense, the Raptors scoring 34 points (!) on these stray balls. The Suns gave away the stick 25 times to get beat, and may have some serious regrets. In particular because they were more efficient than their opponents in attack despite these many inaccuracies, especially in the exercise of outside shooting (14/30, against 11/33 for Toronto).
TOPS & FLOPS
✅ Pascal Siakam. Solid match for the Cameroonian, who left the main role in attack to a Gary Trent Jr. in a big night, to put on the costume of lieutenant. With success, his 26 points and 6 assists having obviously greatly contributed to Toronto’s victory, like his +20 +/-, the second best of his team.
✅ OG Anunoby. Feeling similar to the ‘Spicy P’ match, for the British winger. While his silky shooting teammate was doing damage on offense, the former Indiana college resident rolled up his sleeves to pull off a blue-collar performance: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Always “valid”.
✅⛔️ Chris Paul. It was a mixed match for the conductor of the Suns, because his 6 ball losses finally spoil his performance, otherwise very successful with a big double-double at 20 points and 12 assists. Especially since he took a technical foul in the last quarter, in the heart of the battle when the outcome of the meeting was not yet drawn, after a usual overly strong challenge to the refereeing body after a whistle. . In the management, both of the attack of his team and of his emotions, “CP3” has thus at times been disappointing.
⛔️ The Raptors bench. Who has only accumulated 17 small points. Clearly, if the Raptors win, it is not particularly thanks to the contribution of Malachi Flynn (0 point at 0/4 and 2 loss of ball in 19 minutes), to quote (unfairly, it is true) only him , but rather thanks to the heat stroke of Gary Trent Jr. and the 25 loss of ball of their opponents. The Toronto group can celebrate their victory, important for morale after the poor performance the day before against the Grizzlies, but this should not make us forget that the balance is still fragile. Especially because the meager contribution of the bench is a recurring problem this season.
THE FOLLOWING
– Raptors (16-20): trip to the Pacers, on the night of Monday to Tuesday (01:00)
– Suns (20-17): trip to Madison Square Garden, Monday evening (9 p.m.)
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