Quick Reaction: Pistons 108, Raptors 106

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A+

P. Siakam43 MIN, 28 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 10-15 FG, 0-0 3FG, 8-10 FT, 0 BLK, 4 TO, -8 +/-

It is borderline impossible to find shots for yourself or others against a defense that doubles you with impunity and lives with the results of your teammates shooting. Siakam found room where there was none repeatedly and led his team at both ends of the floor. Unbelievable performance in the most possible context.

AT-

S. Barnes40 MIN, 21 PTS, 10 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 7-13 FG, 1-3 3FG, 6-8 FT, 1 BLK, 3 TO, -2 +/-

Did a really good job of taking advantage of single coverage in this one. When there was no help, he made a mad dash for the rim and finished with composure. The defense really turned up at the end as well. Nice game.

F

K.Birch20 MIN, 2 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 1-5 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, -8 +/-

Gave very little on defense. Gave very little on offence. I find it rather shocking that Nurse still opts for him instead of Achiuwa.

B+

Mr. Flynn27 MIN, 11 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 4-6 FG, 2-3 3FG, 1-1 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -18 +/-

Limited in what he’s able to do, obviously, but he played within himself and his role and did an adequate job of it. There was room for him to explode as a shotmaker, but he took a more conservative route, and that’s okay.

F

G.Trent Jr.39 MIN, 14 PTS, 2 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 4-23 FG, 3-15 3FG, 3-3 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -7 +/-

The missed shots are obvious. But, he was really bad on defense overall. Gambled and gave up layups in the first half, got buried in the post, and was sloppy navigating screens. Picked it up at the end, at least. Virtually the only shots he made in this one were the ones that were giftwrapped. Was an absolute zero as a creator.

B

C. Boucher27 MIN, 5 PTS, 10 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 2-4 FG, 0-1 3FG, 1-2 FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, +8 +/-

Was really quiet in the first part of the game, but he plugged in extremely well once the Raptors went to the weirdo lineups. Closed out defensive possessions, changed shots at the rim, and made several great baseline cuts. It wasn’t a consistent performance, but he hit his high-water mark at the same time as the team.

AT

P.Achiuwa28 MIN, 18 PTS, 7 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 6-13 FG, 1-3 3FG, 5-9 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, +4 +/-

Changed the game. Did a bunch of things that no other big on the Raptors roster can do. Stonewalled Cade Cunningham repeatedly, played tremendous deny defense, changed shots at the rim, and created off the bounce. He was quiet to start, but he was everything in that late stretch. He’s a very special defender, man.

B-

D.Banton13 MIN, 5 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 2-4 FG, 0-1 3FG, 1-1 FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, +10 +/-

Really thought he had a nice defensive stretch, and made some heady plays on offense. Well done, young fella.

Inc.

S. Mykhailiuk3 MIN, 2 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, +11 +/-

A quick little stint where the team picked up around him.

VS

Nick Nurse

Still confused as to why Birch gets the run he does. Oh well. Take the double-tech to infuse the team with energy and the players always deserve the credit, but hey, he did it. The big run came after he left the game, though.

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