With the Eastern Conference in flux, several teams made renovations to their rosters in an attempt to plant a flag on one of the available playoff spots.
On a night when two teams finally got the chance to debut their starting lineups in a meaningful game, it was the Toronto Raptors who staked their claim as an early emerging threat after defeating the Atlanta Hawks 138-118 on Wednesday.
In addition to the Raptors setting a franchise record for points in a season opener, here are the key takeaways
from the matchup in a quarter-by-quarter recap:
Q1: Racing for Buckets, Anchored by Fouls
The Raptors finished in the bottom seven in points per game last season, so it was a pleasant surprise to watch the team race out to 36 points by the end of the opening quarter. Toronto scored 16 points before the 7:30 mark.
It all started with Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes attacking the paint. Most of the time, it resulted in a point-blank look or the offence creating secondary actions. RJ Barrett was the recipient of two early open opportunities from three due to the collapsing defence. He knocked down both triples.
Another reason for the Raptors’ quick start was their defence and an emphasis on getting out in transition. Toronto finished the first frame with a 9-0 advantage in fast break points.
Ironically, the aggressiveness on defence did keep the Hawks within striking distance. The Raptors finished the opening quarter with nine fouls, which led to 15 free throws. On the other end, Toronto attempted two free throws.
Q2: Winning Moments
Toronto took a 65-59 lead into halftime despite a push from Atlanta to close out the quarter. It seems the team has the weapons to win enough small battles they’ll come across in a typical 48-minute contest.
Two sequences that stick out didn’t involve Ingram.
The first came at the 9:17 mark. Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic opted to go with Barrett, Jamal Shead, Ochai Agbaji, Jamison Battle, and Jonathan Mogbo. It was the first time the Raptors didn’t have at least two starters on the court. Some of the reasoning by the lineup composition had to do with managing foul trouble.
The lineup played for 1:40, but they were only outscored 4-3 during that stretch. The Hawks were 2-for-3 from the field, while the Raptors went 1-for-3, with Shead hitting a triple. Agbaji also clanked a three, his first of two misfires in the half.
The second sequence occurred late in the quarter when Ingram subbed out with three fouls at the 2:30 mark. Despite the Hawks crowd getting into it, the Raptors closed out this stretch on a 6-5 run. Toronto also forced the Hawks into two turnovers, including a moment when Dick stole the ball from Young on an outlet pass, before later drilling a baseline fadeaway.
Q3: Bully and Bench Grit
Barrett and the Raptors couldn’t agree on an extension but both parties may be better off because of it. The Canadian wing finished with 25 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists on 75 per cent shooting. He also finished 2-for-4 from beyond the arc. When Hawks forward Jalen Johnson flexed on Barnes after getting the hoop and the harm, Barrett responded on the next possession with his own and-one call. Barrett is a running back masquerading as a shooting guard, and when he gets to his left hand, he’s a force that’s difficult to contain. He was a big reason why the Raptors finished 11-of-11 at the rim in the third quarter.
One of the best moments in the quarter occurred when Rajakovic went to the Ingram and bench (Shead, Dick, Agbaji and Sandro Mamukelashvili) lineup. Both Dick and Agbaji, who struggled with their offence in the first half, each secured an offensive rebound during the same possession, resulting in a gritty two points.
Dick looked tremendous in the third quarter. He has never been the sniper archetype that some fans pegged him as. Dick’s real value comes as a hustle scorer that happens to be a serviceable outside shooter. His length comes into play when he has to create something with a short clock.
The Raptors were on a 14-0 run before Kristaps Porzingis hit a pair of free throws with 12.9 seconds left.
Q4: Garbage time in the ATL
Mamukelashvili has the potential to be everything that was promised with Aron Baynes. He’ll play a massive role for the Raptors this season as the only big man behind Jakob Poeltl. Mamukelashvili was especially impressive when he attacked closeouts. He has the passing chops and a startling and impressive array of finishing moves to make defences pay for their aggressiveness. The former San Antonio Spur finished with 7 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
Shead also played admirably as the backup point guard. Rookie Chucky Hepburn was winning over fans during Summer League and the pre-season. But Shead was the perfect type of stabilizing defensive pest that the bench needed tonight.
A few nitpicks. At some point, the Raptors will need the 2024-25 Agbaji to reappear. When he’s playing the way fans are accustomed to, Agbaji is truly the perfect auxiliary piece next to Ingram and Barnes. Quickley was brilliant with the ball in his hands and at the rim. But he struggled with his outside jumper, shooting 0-for-7 on the night. The Raptors can steal a playoff spot if Quickley reliably punishes teams this year.
