ORLANDO — The Kyle Lowry comeback game was a rousing success – other than the fact he had to play about five more minutes than the Raptors would have preferred. Lowry had some rust, but still had a huge impact in the game in an impressive performance. And his presence opened things up for other scorers, like DeMar DeRozan who has been a top 10 overall player the past five weeks or so, and Lou Williams, Greivis Vasquez and Tyler Hansbrough.
- Yes, old problems reappeared – specifically not being able to haul in a rebound at crucial times (how many chances were they going to give Nikola Vucevic?) and not guarding the three well enough (Lowry admitted Victor Oladipo, usually a slasher, surprised him by pulling up for a three). But overall, it was a good effort against a young team that plays extremely hard. The Raptors needed to match that intensity to win and they did.
- DeRozan has been spectacular recently, responding better than anyone could have imagined to one of the toughest stretches of his career. He is back in all-star form, perhaps playing his best basketball ever.
- Hansbrough has given the Raptors a lift. They might need to consider extending his minutes even when Amir Johnson returns. He gives them the attitude they sorely lack to start most games. He will go after the ball and knock heads. He has been smarter and less preoccupied with scoring the ball this season and it has paid off for him. He has been setting nice screens and rebounding. The only issue is his finishing, but he deserves more time.
- Of course so does James Johnson and his DNP-CD was a head scratcher against a team as athletic as Orlando. Especially when Terrence Ross got hurt (though the team prefers him as a power forward). If Johnson can’t play when Amir is out, against a team of greyhounds, when can he play?
- Smart foul by the Raptors late on Elfrid Payton, forcing Orlando to call a new play. It worked out better than Boston getting a chance to call a new play the other day.
- DeRozan had been just 2-for-28 on non-corner three pointers this season before hitting a massive one. He hit three in all, two from the corners where he shoots a solid percentage (particularly from the right corner).
- These are the types of things Lowry provides: Tough driving layup while being fouled to start the fourth quarter; A great pass to a cutting Chuck Hayes for a score; Rebounds in traffic; A big three when it was needed.
- Lowry said he spent his early time off of the court in the game stretching his back on the sideline to keep it loose. Later, he returned to the bench when he was of because he knew he would only be getting a brief rest.
- DeRozan on the Lou Williams game-winner: ” I just took what they gave me. I saw Lou going to the corner. Once I saw that I knew I was going to make the play.”
- Hansbrough on the dunk with about 1:30 remaining that was set up by Williams and ended up being a crucial play: “Oh yeah, definitely. It was a great pass by Lou, my man was up, expecting Lou to make a play and Lou found me under the basket,” Hansbrough said.
- Casey likes what he sees in the young Magic. “That young team is going to be really, really athletic Their speed and quickness is second-to-none.” They will need to find some shooters, but in Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon, Orlando has three stat-stuffing, high energy, potential defensive stars going forward. But it will take time. Casey sees them as being in the same situation Toronto was a couple of seasons ago and it isn’t easy to go from OK to solid the way it is to go from bad to OK.