The Toronto Raptors got back in the win column with a 123-94 dismantling of the Detroit Pistons at the Air Canada Centre on Monday.
With big contributions from DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka, the Raptors looked comfortable in dispatching a playoff hopeful and maintaining their perch atop the Eastern Conference standings.
That's more like it. #WeTheNorth@DeMar_DeRozan (20p, 7a, 2s)@Klow7 (20p, 6r, 4a) @sergeibaka (19p, 9r, 2s) pic.twitter.com/IPwSupjbKK
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 27, 2018
Here are three takeaways from Monday's contest:
The Big Three
Much has been made this season of Toronto's depth, which is among the best in the NBA. Many games have been decided by the strength of the Raptors' bench, which is a testament to the team-building done by the front office and coaching staff.
But the NBA remains a league dominated by star players, and on Monday Toronto's biggest names were also their biggest contributors.
Combined 59p for Baka, Deebo & KLow. #RTZ pic.twitter.com/Snzn4Owz3R
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 27, 2018
When DeRozan, Lowry and Ibaka are all switched on in the same game, it makes the Raptors near-impossible to beat.
Blocks on blocks
It's easy to point to the big offensive night had by the Raptors' marquee players as the reason for victory, but the Pistons were also finding it tough when they got near Toronto's rim.
Led by Pascal Siakam's pair of rejections, Toronto players combined for seven blocks to Detroit's three.
Please be seated. pic.twitter.com/7OW9w35OAt
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 27, 2018
If the Pistons were going to take the ball to the rack, they'd have to earn their points.
So nice we gotta see it thrice. pic.twitter.com/58PdwbdIcn
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 27, 2018
Siakam, DeRozan, Ibaka, Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright and Jakob Poeltl all got in on the action on a good defensive night for the home team.
Sharing is caring
Toronto seemed to be firing on all cylinders against the Pistons, and that included the way the Raptors shared the ball.
This season's edition of the Raptors moves the ball far more effectively than in years' past, and on Monday they showed just how efficiently they can distribute the basketball with 31 team assists to Detroit's 20.
Utes out here havin' a ball. pic.twitter.com/2hVMCnrzZS
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 27, 2018
DeRozan led the way with seven assists, with Siakam (perhaps surprisingly) following right behind with six.