It wasn't easy, but the Raptors got it done vs. the Magic thanks to clutch plays from Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. Here are william_lou's 10 takeaways. ⬇
The Raptors looked lethargic for the first three quarters Friday before finally getting serious in the fourth, rattling off an 11-for-12 stretch to take a 12-point lead with two minutes left, and that's where the game should have ended. But the Magic were plucky all night, and they battled right to the bitter end by catching the Raptors with one last sucker punch, which had the home team wobbling on the brink of a frustrating loss. But it was Gary Trent Jr.
5. It's only been six games but defences are already coming up with specific adjustments against Barnes. The Magic tried to neutralize Barnes by assigning the seven-foot-three Bamba to take away the basket, which is a sound strategy on paper. However, Barnes is already skilled enough to counter that scheme because of the rapid advancements in his perimeter game. Barnes nailed seven jumpers while Bamba sat back instead of trying to insist his way to the rim against an imposing shot-blocker, which translated to a team-high 21 points on an efficient 9-for-14 shooting.
9. The biggest adjustment in Trent Jr.'s game is that he's a positive contributor even if his shot isn't falling. Since he's largely subsisting on jumpers, many of which are self-generated, Trent Jr. will see his efficiency swing wildly. That's just a reality of how the game works. But so long as Trent Jr. maintains his aggressiveness on defense, he will always have a spot in Nurse's rotation. Trent Jr. doesn't always keep his man in front, nor is he impossible to shoot over, but he's so dogged in how he attacks the ball that it makes you start to hesitate.
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