The last time the Toronto Raptors won at home, in Scotiabank Arena, was on Feb. 23, 2020.
That changed on Wednesday when they smacked the Indiana Pacers to the tune of 118-100, garnering masterful performances from Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and rookie Scottie Barnes, who continues to exceed expectations in all facets.
“When we're playing well, and we're winning here, this is one of the most special places in the NBA if not the most special place in the NBA,” VanVleet said post game. “We gotta continue to keep building that advantage.”
With that being said, here are three key takeaways on a night that saw Toronto begin its trek back towards a .500 record.
Toronto Raptors Takeaways vs. Indiana Pacers
3. OG Anunoby is working from the post
There’s something about Indiana for Anunoby.
In 2020-21, he scored a season-high 30 points against them at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, grabbing eight rebounds and nabbing five steals to boot.
On Wednesday, he hammered them again, dropping 16 points in the first quarter alone en route to a 25-point, five-steal performance in which he looked stronger than every member of the Pacers, consistently attacking the paint to rousing success.
Thought OG Anunoby set tone for Toronto in 1st Q vs. Indiana. It was a star-level wing performance for that 12-minute stretch. Part of Anunoby's maturation is doing this over a full game, but loved how he used his frame/physicality mixed w/ improved handle to drop 16 1st Q points pic.twitter.com/5h1w2r7MM5
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) October 28, 2021
“We're learning a little bit about where some of our strengths can be offensively,” Nurse said. “[Anunoby has] a pretty good size for a three, so there are nights where we'll get some size and weight advantage down there. He's got some tricky, underneath reverses.”
That was, of course, by design. The Raptors started off numerous possessions by getting Anunoby the ball on the block and allowing him to create, either for himself or teammates when the help came to him. Even more impressively, the sped-up pace generated by Dalano Banton and Barnes made for a defense that was, even if only slightly, in motion by the time Anunoby received the ball, allowing him easier pathways to attack.
“It just gives you a steady outlet,” VanVleet noted. “Until they start doubling him, he's gonna be a tough cover down there for anybody.”
2. Dalano Banton replacing the Dragon
Fans and pundits alike have been clamoring for more of Banton, and on Wednesday night, Nurse provided exactly that.
Banton played a career-high 16 minutes, eclipsing Goran Dragic (who did not play at all) in the rotation, scoring 10 points on a 67.2 true shooting percentage and finishing the game +11, highest amongst all bench players. He gave yet another solid defensive performance, utilizing his size and length effectively, and even nailed two 3-pointers to keep the Pacers honest.
“He's really played well,” Nurse said. “He injects an easy or basket or two into the game pretty quickly. Those moments are hard to come by. … He's learning and he's got the ability to do a variety of things defensively.”
A moment every kid dreams about. 🇨🇦@DALANOBANTON | #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/SaNDSYY3yr
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) October 21, 2021
But he was most impressive as a ball handler, single-handedly changing the pace of the game when he entered, quickly finding a flow that the team needed to best take advantage of the defense. Whether that was pushing the ball before the Pacers could get set or using his lanky slipperiness to penetrate the paint and create opportunities for others, he gave the Raptors a spark they’d been missing.
“That's a skill in the NBA, being able to push the pace, being able to collapse the defense,” VanVleet added. “When he's out there moving, he's hard to guard. … The game will continue to slow down for him.”
1. Pascal Siakam is the bench boss
It appears that Siakam has not been listless while on the sidelines so far this season.
“I've never heard him talk this much in my life,” VanVleet said of Siakam, adding that the big man has been like another coach on the sidelines, giving guys advice, getting on the officials and taking a leadership role in huddles.
Fred VanVleet on assistant coach Pascal Siakam: “He won’t shut up. I’ve never heard him talk this much in my life.” pic.twitter.com/2g9x43PU0D
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) October 28, 2021
The timeline for Siakam’s return from a torn labrum in his left shoulder officially remains mid-to-late November, but he did practice in full on Tuesday, which is ahead of schedule. If the Raptors can hold on and maintain a decent record until he’s ready to go, their projected win total may need rethinking.
Follow Us
Subscribe