Raptors over-matched vs Nuggets
Toronto Raptors 112
DENVER NUGGETS 130
Tue Nov 17 2009 - Game Scoreboard
With both Hedo Turkoglu [SF, 6-10, 220] and Reggie Evans [PF, 6-8, 245] out of the line-up, the Raptors were “physically” over-matched vs the Nuggets in last night’s game.
ASSESSING INDIVIDUAL MATCH-UPS BASED ON SIZE, STRENGTH, AGILITY AND EXPLOSIVE QUICKNESS
Defensively, from Denver’s perspective
Nene * [6-11, 250, i.e. size and agility] is a terrific check vs Chris Bosh [6-10, 230], anytime that CB4 does not step-off from the block.
Kenyon Martin * [6-9, 240, i.e. size, strength, agility and explosive quickness] is a terrific check vs Andrea Bargnani [7-0, 250]. Period.
The combination of Nene and K-Mart is a terrific pairing vs CB4 and Bargnani … since: [i] Andrea is a perimeter Center who cannot take Kenyon into the low-post to do damage, and [ii] whenever CB4 steps out to the perimeter it then leaves Toronto with ZERO low-post game.
Chris Andersen * [6-10, 228, i.e. agility and explosive quickness] is a terrific check vs either [a] Amir Johnson * [6-9, 210] or [b] Rasho Nesterovic [7-0, 255.
Arron Afflalo * [6-5, 215, i.e. strength and agility] is a solid check vs DeMar DeRozan * [6-7, 220].
Defensively, from Toronto’s Perspective
Carmelo Anthony * [6-8, 230, i.e. size, strength and agility] is a nightmare for the Raptors. Period.
Chauncey Billups * [6-3, 202, i.e. strength] is a difficult check for the Raptors. Period.
JR [Earl] Smith * [6-6, 220] i.e. expolosive quickness] is a difficult check for the Raptors, when they try to go with Marco Belinelli [6-5, 200, i.e. less strength and less quickness; more offensive skill] instead of Sonny Weems * [6-6, 203, i.e. as much strength and quickness; less offensive skill].
Ty Lawson * [5-11, 195, i.e. quickness] is a difficult check for the Raptors. Period.
Physically, Denver is a superior team to Toronto and simply worn down the Raptors’ best players in the 2nd [36-35/+1], 3rd [33-25/+8] and 4th [33-23/+10] quarters.
There’s no magic answer when these two teams play.
Last night:
Denver generated 105 offensive possessions [with just 3 O-Rebs].
Toronto generated 117 offensive possessions [with 19 O-Rebs].
Denver shot 61.5 [FG%].
Toronto shot 46.2 [FG%].
Denver generated 68 points in the paint.
Toronto generated 34 points in the paint.
Denver scored points at a rate of 1.238 per possession.
Toronto scored points at a rate of 0.957 per possession.
When a team like Toronto [which scores alot of points per game and yields alot of points per game, in return] plays a team like Denver [which scores alot of points per game and yields alot of points per game, in return ... but, also has physically gifted players [*] at several positions] then Toronto is going to end up on the short end of the scoreboard a majority of the time.
When Toronto has faced a Quality Opponent [.500+] this season which has not:
i. Been in the 2nd half of a back-2-back; or,
ii. Made the mistake of playing their 2 hulking centers together vs the combo of Bosh and Bargnani;
the Dinos have performed in the following way:
|
Game |
Opp. |
W-L |
Result |
Rec |
PG |
PA |
PS/Poss. |
PA/Poss. |
|
3 |
vs Orl |
8-3 |
L, 116-125 |
0-1 |
103 |
109 |
1.126 |
1.147 |
|
6 |
@ DAL |
8-3 |
L, 101-129 |
0-2 |
108 |
102 |
0.935 |
1.265 |
|
10 |
@ PHO |
10-2 |
L, 100-101 |
0-3 |
105 |
105 |
0.953 |
0.962 |
|
11 |
@ DEN |
8-3 |
L, 112-130 |
0-4 |
105 |
105 |
0.957 |
1.238 |
|
Legend:
Opp. – Opponent; W-L – Opponent’s Won-Lost record; Rec – Team’s Won-Lost record; PG – Possessions Generated; PA – Possessions Allowed; PS/Poss. – Points scored per possession; PA/Poss. – Points allowed per possession.
Possession [Poss.] = Field Goal Attempts + Total Turnovers + [FTA * .44]
|
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In general, teams that surrender more than 1.0 points per possession, vs a specific set of opponents, while scoring fewer than 1.0 points per possession themselves, have too many players who are “physically” inferior to their individual counterparts when matched-up with those teams.
Tags: Amir Johnson, Andrea Bargnani, Antoine Wright, Arron Afflalo, Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Chris Andersen, Chris Bosh, Demar DeRozan, Denver Nuggets, Hedo Turkoglu, Jarrett Jack, Joey Graham, Jose Calderon, JR Smith, Kenyon Martin, Marco Belinelli, Nene, Patrick O'Bryant, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Rasho Nesterovic, Renaldo Balkman, Sonny Weems, Toronto Raptors, Ty Lawson