Raptors see light against some deceptive Hornets

of 10 years, 2021 is the only time Toronto has not made the playoffs. So after a winter in which the Sun especially – unusually – resigned, came a playoff-free spring. play off. But the Raptors started to see the light and went on to win two straight games at home. Charlotte Hornets The Canadian team didn’t let go until the final quarter (132-120) despite being one of the four worst teams in the NBA. East penultimate At 11-31. He moved up to No. 11 in Toronto, his No. 1 East, and already in the play-ins (18-23) he has secured No. 10. Bull (19-22).

Directed by the absolute leader of the Raptors, Pascal Siakam 28 points (10/16 shooting) 8 rebounds 7 assists.He also made an interesting contribution from the bench Juancho Hernangomez 5 points (2/5 shooting, triple 1/2), 5 rebounds and 1 block in just 11 minutes. Toronto coach, Nick Nurse He asked him to improve his shooting, but reiterated that he had confidence in him in the first half of the season evaluation.

The forward average is 28.3% However, it was his best season from the perimeter, reaching 2.8 in Utah last year at 43.8% and 42% in Minnesota in the 19-20 season. “Please improve his efficiency in triples, the team needs it. But he does a really good job on both sides of the track.is a player intellectual, A good role player,” Nurse said.

“Huancho has to improve in the triple, the team needs him.”

Nick NurseToronto Raptors coach

The Raptors, despite a clear improvement in their half-court offense and a 13-point contribution from the bench, Precious Achiuwa and twelve Chris Boucher He worked up a sweat to render the Hornets.equipment you own Michael Jordan That game is not synonymous with that classification, so it deceives the eye. It radiates as much joy as a locker room, where banter and good vibes reign, at least before and after a match. comb that side.

Attack generates and sends about lamelo ball – 24 points (9/22 shots) and 14 assists – After injury, the 21-year-old also wants to warn that the project is to establish the league’s best point guard, speed and multiple abilities. think. Define resources and intelligence. By his side, other young people grow up. PJ Washington (13 goals), albeit sublime Terry Rozier (33) He is an NBA “War” veteran Mason Plumlee Calm down with paint (21 points).

“What are your goals for the future? Needless to say, we were little compared to players like Gordon Hayward and Lamelo Ball. Injuries are adjusting us,” he laments. Steve CliffordSome Hornets’ experienced coaches have regressed from the year they reached a year ago in an effort to mitigate injury. “Play in”.

Charlotte improved on goals on threes (15/35 and 43%) and took advantage of all the small spaces the Raptors defense conceded with difficulty to slow down the set’s fast and dynamic game. North Carolina, Always get a good position off the perimeter after penetrating and splitting the play. And when no triples can be found, attack 1×1 with penetrating from around the player received on the weak side.

Mason Plumlee took advantage of his larger size against some Raptors without such a fat classic pivot to do some damage. pick and roll And after the rebound, however, Toronto chose not to make him an effective “Hacka Mason”. free shot. And when it comes to batting, this course is 60%, the best he’s ever had in his life. This is a new mechanic in recent months. Start with one hand.Like Jeremy Sochan of the Spurs. “Yes, it was my best season. I discovered how to pitch myself,” Center commented to the MD before the game.

Despite Charlotte’s excellent work on offense, Clifford’s men were unable to find a plan for Pascal Siakam, benefiting from the Raptors’ superior spacing and due to his lightness and size (2.03). , was always very difficult to defend, especially with more space.was or suggested 2 to 1 or nothing.And when that happened, Cameroonians always found open partners and benefited Gary Trent Jr. (24) and OG Anunoby (22) Of these, an impressive 6/7 triples are from Great Britain. Ask him anything, defensively or offensively.

Nurse’s team has done well in big centers, exploiting Plumlee’s slowness to attack other players after he has been away from the pick-and-roll or when he is forced to go out and score on the perimeter. punished him with a mid-range shot in situations. . Scotty Burns He maintained seven goals (plus seven assists and five rebounds), but was one of the Hornets’ center’s most troubled players.of ‘Rookie of the Year’ Last year he rediscovered himself off the perimeter and painting more aggressively.

Two triples from the Raptors’ “clutch player,” Fred VanVleet (11 points, three missed first five shots), another Anunoby left it. 117-107 4:32 left. As a result of a more fluid game, the Raptors (20/44, an impressive 45%), who hit a season-high with his triples, already see everything more clearly. On Thursday they’ll be at home against the Hornets, with one of his playoff rivals coming up on Saturday. atlanta hawks After a tantrum between Trae Young and his coach, they’re no longer the same. Winning definitely means breathing. The skies begin to open up in Toronto.