Game notes:
- That was a perfect game in terms of delivery. The fans were treated to a feel-good win during the last home game of the regular season, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeMar DeRozan played less than 30 minutes, Dwane Casey tested a few different lineups, and everybody in the rotation got some decent run.
- Hopefully Casey will rest Lowry and DeRozan on the second night of a back-to-back tomorrow, but I’ll understand if they want to chase 56 wins. Fifty-six!
- Most encouraging sign: DeMarre Carroll looked awesome at power forward. The boxscore numbers don’t jump off the page (8 pts, 6 reb, 2 stl), but he looked really comfortable at power forward. The Raptors switched liberally with Carroll involved, they were able to open up the transition game, he made a few hustle plays (3 offensive rebounds, a putback) and there was plenty of space for Lowry and DeRozan to drive.
- I mean, it was only the Sixers, but the Raptors went on a 25-6 run in 6 minutes immediately after Carroll replaced Luis Scola in the second half. Carroll was plus-30 in 21 minutes.
- Another encouraging sign: the Raptors pulled out their entire playbook for Jonas Valanciunas in the first half. A few pick-and-rolls, his standard left-block post-ups, and a few duck-ins worked to great effect. He finished with 17-11 in 17 minutes.
- Happy for Nik Stauskas that he was able to show off for his friends and family in attendance. He threw down 4 dunks (!), one of which was an absolute facial against Bismack Biyombo. Sauga represent!
- Speaking of showing off, Biyombo drained all three of his jumpers. You have no excuse not to chase your dreams.
- Even against the Sixers, Scola somehow still managed to be a net-minus (-7). Casey should shorten the rotation in the playoffs and lean of Patrick Patterson and Carroll to eat 40 minutes a night at PF.
- Not afraid of the Pacers. I’ll have a full playoff preview up for Thursday.
- The Raptors have won their last 12 meetings against Philadelphia. I’m sad Sam Hinkie is gone. It was nice to always have 4 wins in the bank.
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