"The casual observer might have thought the Toronto Raptors' defensive pressure against the Atlanta Hawks wasn't working. The Raptors couldn't stop fouling and were in the bonus after six minutes of the first, with more than half of Atlanta's points coming at the free throw line. Jalen Johnson shed Toronto's full-court pressure with ease, driving around defenders, getting to the rim for layups, and drawing oodles of those aforementioned fouls."
"For every open layup or opener free throw Atlanta created, Toronto pinged that kinetic energy into its own transition attack. Atlanta flung rushed, impatient passes to beat the break, and Scottie Barnes and Gradey Dick both caught some corner-back picks with stellar transition defence. Atlanta even missed some contested layups in transition, leading to Toronto's runouts the other way. Juice in one team's pace squeezes into juice for the other."
Toronto's full-court pressure produced early foul trouble for both teams, with Atlanta getting more than half its initial points at the free throw line. Jalen Johnson repeatedly beat the press for drives, layups and fouls, and Atlanta nearly matched Toronto in turnovers in the first quarter. Despite that, Toronto built a 36-point first quarter by converting opponents' transition opportunities into its own fast-break scoring. Atlanta's rushed passes and missed transition layups created runouts for Toronto, while Scottie Barnes and Gradey Dick made key transition defensive plays. Toronto used a deep bench and short shifts to sustain intensity. The second quarter saw cleaner defensive rhythm and Jonathan Mogbo at center aiding rebounds, rim protection and forcing stops.
Read at Raptors Republic
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