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]
|
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.
