Jakob Poeltl's Performance:
Jakob Poeltl, despite limited minutes, made his presence felt with some impressive defensive contests. His ability to use verticality was on full display, and while he didn't rack up the stats, his screening and ball movement added value. He’s still on a minutes restriction, but his play was encouraging.
Brandon Ingram's Night:
Brandon Ingram was the offensive engine, dropping 31 points in 36 minutes. He started strong, but as the game progressed, he took some tough shots.
Even when defenses didn’t bite on his pump fakes, he kept shooting. Still, he nailed a crucial mid-range jumper in the fourth, showing his clutch gene.
RJ Barrett's Struggles:
RJ Barrett had a tough outing, scoring 13 points on 3-10 shooting. His touch seemed off, a recurring issue since returning from injury. He was aggressive, driving to the basket and drawing fouls, but his finishing left much to be desired.
Immanuel Quickley's Quiet Game:
Immanuel Quickley had his moments, especially in the third quarter, but overall, he was quiet. His outside shot wasn’t falling, and he seemed hesitant to attack the paint, finishing with 14 points.
Scottie Barnes' Defensive Focus:
Scottie Barnes put in a solid defensive shift, focusing more on distributing the ball. He was aggressive on defense, picking up players full court and disrupting Chicago’s rhythm. Offensively, it was a quieter night, but his defensive energy was pivotal.
Gradey Dick's Hustle:
Gradey Dick couldn’t find his shot, going scoreless in 9 minutes. Despite some good looks, the ball just wouldn’t drop. However, his hustle was evident, as he worked hard to contribute in other areas.
Jamal Shead's Toughness:
Jamal Shead didn’t light up the scoreboard, but his toughness was on display. He had a key stop and steal in the fourth, sparking a crucial fast break.
Ja’Kobe Walter's Impact:
Ja’Kobe Walter was a standout, scoring 14 points in 22 minutes. He moved confidently, hit timely shots, and played sticky defense. His huge corner three was critical in maintaining the lead.
Collin Murray-Boyles' Defensive Mastery:
Collin Murray-Boyles was a defensive force, especially in crunch time. His pressure on Jalen Smith led to a turnover, and he converted a three-point play to keep Toronto’s lead intact. His timing and defensive instincts were impressive.
Coaching Decisions:
Darko Rajakovic’s rotations were spot on, particularly the decision to keep Murray-Boyles in the starting lineup, which paid dividends.
Key Observations:
Collin Murray-Boyles' defensive prowess was a game-changer, especially down the stretch. His ability to disrupt Chicago’s offense was crucial. Meanwhile, Toronto’s offense, despite generating transition opportunities, struggled to capitalize fully in the first quarter.