Raptors over-matched vs Nuggets
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009Toronto 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.
