Toronto Raptors 122, Atlanta Hawks 119
Trae Younger had Jakob Poeltl on an island.
Twice, the All-Star guard discovered himself remoted in opposition to Toronto’s slower-footed large man late within the fourth quarter. However when the Raptors wanted stops, Poeltl stepped up.
The primary time, Toronto hit Younger, knocking the ball out of his arms with a wonderfully executed spin that led to an important save. The second time, Poeltl discovered himself one-on-one however held on, dragging his toes to stick with the lightning-fast guard and forcing a tricky examine.
On the opposite finish, Scottie Barnes hit a clutch jumper to cap his 25-point evening, giving the Raptors a three-point benefit. One final defensive stand sealed the deal as Toronto escaped Atlanta with solely its second street win of the season.
It wasn’t fairly, however it was sufficient.
The Raptors squandered a 17-point first-quarter lead with 19 turnovers, permitting Atlanta to rebound as Toronto gave up 32 factors on these miscues.
Nonetheless, well timed defensive stops and a dominant fourth quarter from Barnes — who pressured his manner into the paint and acquired to the road repeatedly in important moments — proved simply sufficient to get the job completed.
Gradey Dick’s struggles ending on the rim earlier this season was no secret. In addition they grew to become a joke on-line.
However issues are beginning to change.
During the last 4 video games, Dick has completed at a a lot larger degree. He is nonetheless extra of a finisher than a bruiser, however he is nailed these tough layups and appears a lot calmer when he drives to the ring. And when he will get the chance to indicate off his athleticism, he isn’t disillusioned.
Towards the Hawks, Jakob Poeltl set him up for a powerful alley-oop within the first half because the Raptors jumped out to an early double-digit lead. Then within the third quarter, he threw down one other dunk, his fourth within the final two video games.
Dick additionally confirmed off his play off the dribble. In a single sequence, he attacked a brutal closeout within the nook, drove aggressively to the ring and, in mid-air, adjusted to ship a easy cross to Bruce Brown beneath the basket for a good higher look.
The 6-foot-7 sophomore nonetheless has an extended approach to go in his growth as he works to spherical out his recreation on each ends of the court docket. However Dick has seemed higher recently, ending Thursday’s recreation with 14 factors, together with an ideal 5-for-5 from contained in the paint.
It is time for the Raptors to begin making some calls.
Bruce Brown and Chris Boucher aren’t anticipated to be on this group in two weeks. This doesn’t imply that they’re holding again the group, at the very least within the conventional sense of the time period. As a substitute, they’re simply productive sufficient off the bench to disrupt Toronto’s broader targets for the ultimate interval.
Now wholesome, Brown has proven he could make an impression. He put collectively a stable run of matches, offering much-needed stability off the bench. His chemistry with Kelly Olynyk stood out and his capability to thrive alongside excessive IQ gamers is obvious. This confirmed early within the fourth quarter when a pointy lower of the ball simply completed off a pinpoint cross from Jakob Poeltl, giving Toronto a six-point lead.
Boucher was additionally stable. Whereas his path to constant minutes in opposition to a contender might not be as clear, many skinny playoff groups might use a flexible ahead to bolster their frontcourt depth.
The 2 veterans mixed for 35 factors, with Brown scoring a season-high 18 on 8-of-12 taking pictures.
Even Olynyk, who appears much less prone to be dealt, has carved out a pleasant position as facilitator whereas persevering with to make three-pointers at practically 50%. He scored 11 factors and stays a relentless presence within the lineup.
Ideally, Toronto would get a good return: a number of second-round picks for the pair could be a win. However even when the commerce market does not produce enticing offers, giving up Brown and Boucher might quantity to addition by subtraction, at the very least if the Raptors hope to enhance their lottery possibilities in the long term.
The Raptors could have a rematch in opposition to the Hawks on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
