Hardwood Highlight of the Night: DeRozan drives, finds Valanciunas for easy lay-in

For a player that ranks second on the Toronto Raptors in averaged drives, DeMar DeRozan certainly receives a lot of flack for his lack of aggression.

The alternative to DeRozan's drives are pull-up, midrange jump shots, which is not a good play, nor has DeRozan found much success with those this season, shooting a dismal 35 percent from that area. All of which is compounded by his shot selection: he's launched 53 percent of his shots from said range.

A slasher at heart, DeRozan is at his best when he drives. After missing nearly two months with a groin injury, DeRozan has returned to full health and has regained his quick, first step, which allows him to generate penetration.

Here's an example of a successful drive from the Raptors' win over the Knicks on Sunday.

The play opens after a failed drive by DeRozan. Instead of forcing a bad shot, DeRozan resets and sizes up his defender Lance Thomas.

DeRozan motions for teammate Amir Johnson to come set a screen in hopes of playing sidelines pick-and-roll. Being the savvy, solid veteran that he is, Johnson sets a mean pick, which completely erases Thomas from the play.

The separation allows DeRozan to veer into the paint, where he's met by Johnson's defender Andrea Bargnani. DeRozan masterfully drives middle, before pivoting for a spin towards the baseline. His move loses Bargnani entirely.

However, DeRozan still has one more man to beat. Knicks center Cole Aldrich rises up to deny DeRozan an open look at the basket. But by this point, the Knicks are out of defenders and DeRozan finds a wide open Jonas Valanciunas for an easy layup.

The play can be seen in its entirety below.

(Courtesy: Sportsnet)