The last time they played the Nuggets, it ended in a controversial end to the match with whistles from the officials, marked by the rapid expulsion of Scottie Barnes and a cruel defeat on the wire (118-113 ).
And, indirectly, a nice fine for Fred VanVleet who heavily criticized the refereeing a posteriori...
On a mission on the double MVP
Tonight, OG Anunoby and the Raptors took pleasure in returning the favor to the troops from Colorado, traveling to Canada, and left with a nice defeat in their suitcases (125-110). Missioned on Nikola Jokic, the reigning double MVP who still finished at 28 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, Anunoby held his rank. Able to respond perfectly to physical combat in taking positions, the Raptors winger was able to “slow down” Jokic, if not truly “contain” him.
“Have you seen his legs? »laughs Mike Malone on SportsNet. “That, plus his height… This guy is strong! »
In his sixth season in Toronto, Anunoby is clearly a Raptors executive, he who had the fantastic epic to the title in 2019 and who currently has 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. In the same vein as his last season. Even the previous one… and we understand why the franchise refused all external offers last February.
One of the most robust wingers, Anunoby shifts more and more inside as NBA teams play more and more small (“small ball”). This season, Nick Nurse did not hesitate to make him play dominant pivots one-on-one, like Jokic, but also Anthony Davis or Joël Embiid. Duels not gift which he came out very well.
“He’s a very good defender,” says Coach Nurse bluntly. “I’m not sure if we’re talking about him in the race for the title of best defender of the season, but I don’t really see other players defending in so many different positions on the pitch. In the past week alone, he’s played DeRozan, Beal, Jokic and Davis. It is rather varied in qualities and talents. But he did very well every time. »
A first quarter gem
Author of 7 of his 24 points in the last eight minutes of the match, including an alley oop followed by a 3-point to put the Nuggets definitively at a distance (from -3 to -13) in the middle of the last quarter, Anunoby knew weigh in on the game at key moments. And on both sides of the field…
“It helps us a lot”adds VanVleet. “It’s huge to be able to count on a guy who can defend in three different positions. It makes things easier for the game plan. He did a great job against Jokic and it completely changes the dynamics of the match. It’s a luxury to have him with us. »
It must be said that the Raptors have considerably facilitated the task by starting the match on a whirlwind. On a 49 to 30 in the first quarter, the highest total of points scored by the Canadian franchise this season!
Hitting first, Anunoby attacked Jokic defensively from the in-between by going to press him in all-court on the transition, and systematically cutting the passing angles on the game in the half-court. While he held Jokic to 4 points, 2 assists in the first quarter, Anunoby brought 10 points at 4/5 in the Raptors’ offensive fireworks.
“He didn’t play too much at the low post [à la différence du match à Denver] », humbly recognized Anunoby. “But he is very versatile, he can do everything. You have to stay very attentive and keep your eyes wide open with him all the time, and communicate well. To simply be ready for anything. »
Tonight, OG was ready to pounce in a game his team desperately wanted to win. A benchmark victory for the Raptors who are still not out of the woods in an Eastern Conference which stands in close ranks between 6th and 12th place.
| OG Anunoby | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2017-18 | TOR | 74 | 20 | 47.1 | 37.1 | 62.9 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 5.9 |
| 2018-19 | TOR | 67 | 20 | 45.3 | 33.2 | 58.1 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 7.0 |
| 2019-20 | TOR | 69 | 30 | 50.5 | 39.0 | 70.6 | 1.2 | 4.1 | 5.3 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 10.6 |
| 2020-21 | TOR | 43 | 33 | 48.0 | 39.8 | 78.4 | 1.3 | 4.3 | 5.5 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 15.9 |
| 2021-22 | TOR | 48 | 36 | 44.3 | 36.3 | 75.4 | 1.5 | 4.0 | 5.5 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 17.1 |
| 2022-23 | TOR | 54 | 36 | 46.2 | 36.8 | 83.1 | 1.5 | 3.7 | 5.2 | 1.9 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 16.6 |
| Total | 355 | 28 | 46.8 | 37.1 | 74.0 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 1.5 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 11.4 | |
