Fan Duel Toronto Raptors

Quick React – Jazz 140, Raptors 133, Triple OT

Quick reaction player grades. Much more to say in the AM.

Utah Jazz140Final

Recap | Box Score

133Toronto Raptors
Dominic McGuire, SF 33 MIN | 2-3 FG | 1-2 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 5 PTS | -10Played adequate defense, but has hands made completely of stone. I don’t trust him at all on the offensive end right now, and it was a bit upsetting that they rode him for offensive possessions rather than giving (an admittedly cold) Ross a chance to space the floor.
Andrea Bargnani, C 49 MIN | 5-17 FG | 8-9 FT | 8 REB | 1 AST | 19 PTS | +117 shots for 19 points in 49 minutes is not what you need from your “scorer” when your top player is out. Alas, he avoids an F because he managed 8 rebounds and played decent defense by his standards. He also seemed to care in the 1st and 3rd quarters…not sure if he’s out of shape, but seems to wear out quick right now.
Jonas Valanciunas, C 16 MIN | 3-3 FG | 4-4 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 10 PTS | -1Played well offensively when he was in the game. Was quick to foul against tough Jazz bigs, though, and Casey lost confidence in playing him on defensive end, hence Gray playing (yuck).
Jose Calderon, PG 50 MIN | 8-16 FG | 2-2 FT | 2 REB | 17 AST | 20 PTS | -8Very strong game for Jose, although I fear what playing 50 minutes is going to do to him. 20 points and 17 dimes with some decent off-ball defense is more than you could have hoped for.
DeMar DeRozan, SG 60 MIN | 16-33 FG | 4-7 FT | 8 REB | 6 AST | 37 PTS | -9DeMar had an A++ through the first overtime, but his shot selection really deteriorated as he wore down after 60 minutes. SIXTY! As it is, he tied his career high in points and narrowly missed it for rebounds and assists. 37 points on 33 FGA doesn’t look great, but he should have had 10 more FTA, and he was awesome until 50-min mark.
Ed Davis, PF 18 MIN | 2-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 9 REB | 0 AST | 4 PTS | -6Nine boards in 18 minutes does it for me, plus he played some nice help defense. Amir got the nod in crunch time because he was playing better offensively, but Davis continues to impress as the fourth big with his rebounding accumen.
Amir Johnson, PF 38 MIN | 5-8 FG | 1-3 FT | 14 REB | 2 AST | 11 PTS | -4Amir had a few big dunks and played well with Jose, as he is wont to do. His six fouls came in 38 minutes, so it’s not even a bad game in that regard. His 11-and-14, with seven offensive rebounds, were a much needed addition. He held Jefferson in check until late as well.
Linas Kleiza, SF 30 MIN | 7-16 FG | 3-3 FT | 7 REB | 1 AST | 20 PTS | 0Kleiza could have ranked a lot higher if we just took his second quarter, where he dropped 17 points in 12 minutes on just 10 shots. From there, though, he went 1/6 and fouled out in 30 minutes.
Aaron Gray, C 4 MIN | 0-1 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 PTS | -8Call me a hater, whatever. He threw a pick-and-roll feed off the back rim and didn’t help defensively, which is supposed to be his value. He did nothing.
John Lucas, PG 14 MIN | 3-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 2 AST | 7 PTS | +8Finally broke out of his shooting slump by going 3/6, including a HUGE three to send the game into triple OT. 14 minutes show he doesn’t have trust of Casey right now though.
Terrence Ross, SG 3 MIN | 0-1 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 PTS | +2Missed his only shot attempt in three minutes, a wild try he had to take to try and salvage a tipped inbounds pass at the buzzer. Not his fault. He must be doing something wrong in practice to get no run, though.

Five Things We Saw

  1. With under 10 seconds to go in the fourth, the Raptors led by three and opted NOT to foul and send the Jazz to the line for two. This is ALWAYS the right call but coaches rarely make it. Disappointing to see Casey botch this one.
  2. DeRozan seriously should have had 20 free throw attempts. Dude got mauled over and over but just seemed to get no respect. His reputation will eventually have to catch up to his game, as he’s been aggressive taking it to the hole for some time now.
  3. Kleiza had an insane second quarter. 6/10 for 17 points. A little taste of his role with Lithuania.
  4. Really unclear why Gray was the choice rather than Jonas when Amir fouled out. Sure, Jonas was foul-prone when he was in, but he’s also a much more capable offensive player (and probably not any worse defensively).
  5. Primo Pasta and Sauce has a poor Glycemic Index, which is why Bargs seems to fall asleep in second and fourth quarters. Poor carbohydrate availability for energy production.