"The theory of the Nuggets being a potential offensive juggernaut? Very real as they used Nikola Jokic as a genius battering ram and conduit to connect to 3-point marksmen. Not to mention the Raptors high level of pressure - which they promised would be there - allowed more liberated steps to the paint for the Nuggets. They were shredding the Raptors. It wasn't the same situation on the other side, though."
"The Raptors were still very much stuck in the theory of everything. Jakob Poeltl wasn't available to play (stiff back) and so there wasn't much in the way of penetration from anyone not named RJ Barrett, who continued to rumble downhill. Hit ahead passes will be a huge feature of this offense going forward as they attempt to sneak into transition more often and create early seals for their big wings."
"Ingram looked smooth, and like a professional scorer, but he didn't commandeer the offense and make it his own, or successful. It took the bench lineup and transitional lineups to get the Raptors back into the game - although the presence of Jonas Valanciunas made the Raptors second unit look incredibly small. Sandro Mamukelashvili cashed a couple triples as the Nuggets stood idly by to see if it was for real."
The Nuggets operated as an offensive juggernaut by using Nikola Jokic as a battering ram and conduit to connect to 3-point marksmen, exploiting Raptors pressure to create steps to the paint. The Raptors lacked penetration without Jakob Poeltl (stiff back), leaving RJ Barrett as the primary downhill attacker. Hit-ahead passes and transition opportunities emerged as focal offensive elements, but the Raptors remained stuck for much of the game. Ingram scored smoothly but did not take over the offense. Bench and transitional lineups, despite a small second unit with Jonas Valanciunas, helped the Raptors rally. Collin Murray-Boyles briefly battled Jokic before tweaking his ankle and returning.
Read at Raptors Republic
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