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10 things from Raptors-Kings

theScore

Welcome to the "10 things" recap by theScore features writer William Lou. Below you'll find the major takeaways from the Toronto Raptors' 120-105 win over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.

  1. Solid: The Raptors were shorthanded while playing without Kawhi Leonard, Jonas Valanciunas, and OG Anunoby, but they led from start to finish against the equally shorthanded Kings. Toronto relentlessly pushed the pace, and Sacramento eventually ran out of gas during the second night of back-to-back games.

  2. Positive: Kyle Lowry finished 6-of-15 shooting, but this game was one of his most promising performances since returning from injury. Lowry was instrumental in setting the breakneck tempo, and while he struggled with his shot early on, the veteran did connect on four triples to finish with 20 points.

  3. Coaching: Nick Nurse dialed up an inbound play with Lowry coming around two baseline pin-down screens to pop free for a jumper. Not only did that shot extend the lead to double digits, but it also gave Lowry the confidence to try (and make) another three in the fourth.

  4. Steady: This was Fred VanVleet's best game of the season. He was slow and labored in recent games, but VanVleet looked sharp after two off days. He was able to gain separation on his change-of-pace drives, he was money on catch-and-shoot threes, and his presence on the ball allowed Lowry to play as a two guard.

  5. Relentless: Pascal Siakam's inexhaustible motor eventually wore the Kings down in the second half. On one possession, he snagged a defensive rebound in traffic, then drove the length of the floor with a man on his hip before finishing through contact at the rim.

  6. Variance: C.J. Miles hit four threes as part of 15 points off the bench to extend his double-digit scoring streak to three games. He drilled two threes in the fourth quarter to break the game wide open, including one in transition off a feed from Lowry. It remains to be seen if Miles can sustain this level of play, but his scoring has been absolutely vital during Leonard's absence.

  7. Energetic: The Raptors received tremendous production out of Delon Wright and Norman Powell from the second unit. Both players were active defensively and opportunistic in transition. Wright, in particular, needs to play with that type of aggression every night.

  8. Bully: The Raptors made a point of attacking the diminutive Yogi Ferrell. Danny Green posted him up twice, leading to open shots after the Kings were forced to double, and Wright rose up over Ferrell to snag a key offensive rebound in the fourth.

  9. Attitude: Greg Monroe's miserable outing allowed Chris Boucher to shine. Boucher came up with tough rebounds while showing great tenacity and strong hands in traffic, and he produced the highlight of the night when he reached his gangly arms back at an obtuse angle to finish an alley-oop feed from Lowry.

  10. Rest: The Raptors are in a tough spot with Leonard sitting out games. If they're transparent about him suffering a minor injury, then it leads to fans worrying. But if they cite "load management" as the reason for a third straight absence, then fans get suspicious.

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