Raptors Complete the Comeback in a OT Thriller

The Raptors fly into Detroit after a tough game at home versus the Atlanta Hawks. The Pistons are in a slump and will need to win a large number of games to catch up to the 8th place in the Eastern Conference. The Blake Griffin trade has not reaped the benefits the Pistons would have imagined as they have gone 6-8 ever since the trade. This was one of those scheduled games which looks like it might be an easy win on paper, but because of the back-to-back aspect this can easily be a loss as well.

Toronto Raptors come into Detroit trying to extend their winning streak to 6 games.

The Raptors were without OG Anunoby in this one and Casey elected to go with Norman Powell at the small forward spot. The Raptors and Pistons were trading baskets to begin the game as both teams were trying to feel each other out on both sides of the court. Toronto started the game off strong as the Raptors took the early lead to start the game leading 27-23 after 12 minutes.

Dwane Casey has said on Tuesday that this team should not be expected teams to fold and allow the Raptors to win. Instead the other teams in the NBA are looking to get a statement type win against the Raptors since they are a 1st seed. This is exactly what happened in the second quarter where the Raptors were outscored 36-18 and were completely outplayed. The deficit was compounded with Serge Ibaka getting ejected for arguing a foul call which made guarding Blake Griffin a tougher task with only Siakam available at that position to guard him. Poeltl and JV already have their hands full with Drummond crashing the glass. The Raptors needed to get out of this quarter as fast as possible as they trailed 59-45 at halftime.

The Raptors came out in the second half with a mission and were focused. Norman Powell with all his struggles throughout the season was the spark the Raptors needed. His defense sparked plays in transition and was able to hit timely threes to cut the deficit. Toronto managed to steal the lead with Kyle Lowry leading the charge. Kyle was showing out in the third with his playmaking and scoring ability. He made big play after big play to give the Raptors the momentum going into the fourth leading 85-84. Toronto won the quarter 40-25.

Kyle Lowry was all over the floor in this game. He was three rebounds shy of a triple-double.

Detroit was able to hang on in this game with the Bench Mob struggling to score in the fourth without another playmaker in Delon Wright. VanVleet had to carry the load, but he was having a tough shooting night. Blake Griffin and the Pistons were able to take advantage inside and Reggie Bullock was providing the 3-point shooting. This game went down to the wire where both teams made big basket after big basket. There were times where if the Raptors converted one more basket, the game would have been out of hand, but it never happened. The Pistons always had a response. The game appeared to be out of hand after a tough jumper by DeMar with less than a minute to go. But Blake had other ideas when he hit a jumper in the lane while fouled by Siakam and hit the free throw to give the Pistons the one-point edge.

Toronto had no timeouts left so DeMar picked up the basketball and ran the length of the floor and slammed it on Anthony Tolliver’s head. It was a crazy play to watch and for DeMar to finish the play while getting fouled was even more impressive. Lowry looked more ecstatic about the huge highlight reel play compared to DeMar who made the play. DeMar hit the free throw and gave the Raptors a 2-point lead with less than 5 seconds left in the game. Stan Van Gundy drew up a play to get Blake a direct post-up on the block and Blake banked in the jump hook shot off the backboard over Siakam to tie the game.

The Dunk of the Year! Hands down the most clutch and posterizing dunk of the year.

After a few terrible passes by both teams to try scoring with less than a second to go, the game went into overtime. The game was wearing down on both teams as both sides were looking sluggish on offense and defense. VanVleet was blocked and turned the ball over a couple times in the overtime as Casey decided to sub him out after he was struggling all night and replaced with CJ to give the team more spacing. Casey was mixing and matching offense and defense as the game dragged on. Raptors were up three with less than a minute to go before Blake got JV on the mismatch and hit a three right over him to tie the game for what felt like the 100th time. The next play, DeMar lost his dribble and ends up taking a bad shot with 30 seconds left.

The Raptors went small with Lowry, DeRozan, VanVleet, Miles and Valanciunas to try to score, but with this lineup guarding Blake Griffin would be a difficult task, not to mention Blake was playing lights out in this game offensively. The Pistons knew the mismatch was there and went straight to Blake in the post against Lowry who picked him up. DeMar had to come down to help in the post which left Reggie Bullock, who had 21 points on the night, open at the top of the key. CJ Miles ran towards Reggie to contest the shot, but was late closing out. However, Bullock ended up missing the shot which should have been the dagger. Toronto had no more timeouts as DeMar ran down the court after getting the rebound with about six seconds left. He was picked up by three defenders in the paint as he leaped forward but decided to swing the ball to VanVleet in the corner instead of taking the shot himself. VanVleet, who was struggling all night long and was shooting 1-9 from the field, stepped into the shot with a foot on the line and buried the long two. DeMar embraced VanVleet right after he makes the shot. In the one second left on the clock, Blake took a contested three and misses. Game over. Instant classic.

VanVleet and Raptor fans will remember this one for a very long time. The crowd's reaction says it all.

Toronto Raptors Detroit Pistons

121 119

Players of the Game

Kyle loved the dunk more than DeMar. The bromance continues as the dynamic duo dominated in Detroit.

Kyle Lowry

41 minutes, 15 points, 15 assists, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 0 blocks, 4-8 shooting, 3-7 3PT, 4-5 FT

DeMar DeRozan

43 minutes, 42 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 16-28 shooting, 2-6 3PT, 8-8 FT

This was one game where it was really hard to separate who was more impactful in this game. Both Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan had their fingerprints all over this game but at different moments of the game. Kyle Lowry was vital in the Raptors coming back from the 17-point deficit in the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth quarter. DeMar was great all game long and was clutch in the deciding moments of the game especially in overtime. DeMar was the go-to guy on every play down the stretch and came up huge with both his scoring and the final pass to VanVleet for the game-winner. You can make a highlight package from all the plays DeRozan made in this game. Both All-Stars brought out their A-games in the second half as they dominated and stole this win on the road against a very desperate Detroit Pistons team whose playoff window has closed a little bit more.

Things To Take Away From This Game

1. Blake Griffin

• After Serge Ibaka was ejected out of the game for arguing calls, Pascal Siakam had to step up and guard Blake Griffin. Blake is a big load to guard for Siakam who hasn’t put on much muscle to deal with a guy of his caliber and strength. Pascal did a great job of helping the Raptors come back in this game so in hindsight, he had a great overall game. In situations like this, OG Anunoby would be able to switch on a Blake Griffin due to his size and strength.

2. Norman Powell

• The resurgence of Norman Powell was huge in this game and timely. Casey inserted Norman into the starting lineup and that was the spark needed to get Norman back in form. He was able to make shots and score in different ways, but his defense was the key to get the Raptors back into this game. The ability to defend with his quickness and athleticism was what the Norman Powell of a couple seasons ago was known for and hopefully this gives him momentum going forward. Norm ended the game with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 7-12 shooting, 3-5 3PT.

The resurgence of Norman Powell helped the Raptors take this one.

3. VanVleet

• The captain of the Bench Mob overcame a tough shooting night to hit the game-winner in overtime. The mental toughness and physical toughness of this kid is what makes this team so hard to guard. He has a level of calmness during the storm and is able to reel in his bench teammates together and lead them. Without Delon Wright, VanVleet’s offensive load was much heavier as he had to create for the other 4 on the court at the time. He did well and bought enough minutes for Lowry and DeRozan to rest and come back to win the game. He has become one of the better surprises for the Toronto Raptors this year and plays a majority of the closing minutes for this team.

4. Dwane Casey

• For all the credit the players on the court were given in this one, it is easy to forget the tough decisions Dwane Casey had to make especially down the stretch. Without Ibaka, Casey had no choice to go with Siakam but could have easily sent double teams all game long but he believed in Siakam to stop him 1-on-1. It didn’t work to perfection but the belief in the young kid from New Mexico State was there. And leaving VanVleet in the game after all the struggles he had on the night to hit the game-winner proved the trust in his second unit more than anything. Casey and his staff have developed the bench to the point where they can play meaningful minutes in crunch time and are comfortable in those situations.

Pictures courtesy of:

http://www.nba.com/raptors/gallery/rapspistons-030718

https://www.sbnation.com/2018/3/7/17094956/demar-derozan-dunk-video-pistons-highlights

https://jerseyeveningpost.com/sport/uk-sport/2018/03/08/fred-vanvleet-lifts-toronto-raptors-to-sixth-straight-win/

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2018/3/8/17095850/demar-derozan-dunk-pistons-raptors-kyle-lowry