Raptors re-assert themselves in clutch time

"This time, Joel Embiid was out and Poetl was back, and the intensity and pace of the game reignited an old rivalry. In the third, IQ splashed a 3-ball on his former Kentucky teammate and top-three league scorer Tyrese Maxey. This came after IQ ran a high pick-and-roll with Scottie, got downhill with a full head of steam, pitched the ball to Poeltl, and relocated. Maxey lost sight of him and was way too late to close out."

"The bench also contributed to the Raps' third quarter dominance. Ja'Kobe Walter, who played the first quarter with pizzazz, cashed a two triples. Dick had back-to-back baseline drives, scoring the first one after Walter got his man in the air. The second baseline drive resulted in a wild pass to Mamu on the weakside wing, a better decision than to pass the ball to Barnes one-pass away. This helped Mamu get to the charity stripe."

"The Raps led by 15 points at the end of the third quarter, but had a difficult time maintaining it. A Quentin Grimes triple made it a three-point game and forced the game into clutch time. But the Raps went to to their bread and butter. Poeltl set a screen on IQ, and Barnes threw a high-low pass into Poeltl for the bucket."

The game was nearly even through halftime before the Raptors outscored the opponent 44-26 in the third quarter and ultimately won 121-112 after clutch execution. Joel Embiid sat while Poeltl returned, increasing intensity and reviving the rivalry. IQ hit a 3 after running a high pick-and-roll with Scottie, attacking downhill, pitching to Poeltl, relocating and blowing past Tyrese Maxey, who had earlier broken IQ's ankles. The bench bolstered the surge with Ja'Kobe Walter's triples, Dick's baseline drives and Mamu converting at the stripe. In late-game sets, Poeltl screened for IQ and Barnes found Poeltl with a high-low pass for a crucial bucket.

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