The Raptors dug themselves a hole by not being diligent on defence, but overcame a 14-point deficit for a comeback win where just about everyone contributed towards the result. The effort was much stronger in the second half and so too was their execution, and the Raptors have now set themselves up to finish their longest road trip of the year with a respectable 3-3 record. If they bring the same intensity over to the Pacers game, they should take that too.
The Raptors ran essentially the same play each trip down, with Precious Achiuwa giving VanVleet a screen on the left side of the floor where VanVleet can get to the middle, and he picked the Grizzlies apart. Trent Jr. was nothing short of sensational in how he hunted for his shots, whether it was off the dribble for side-step threes, or attacking the closeout and finishing in the paint or drawing fouls, and also just in broken sequences where Trent Jr. popped free off an offensive rebound or a transition opportunity.
These are the types of plays that will be available for Barnes every night, and if he owns that role like he did tonight, he will finish with close to 20 points on 50-percent-plus efficiency. What was also promising about Barnes' showing was that Nurse trusted him to guard Morant at the end of the game after VanVleet picked up his fifth.
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