Raptors ramp up their intensity to close out NBA preseason with win over Brooklyn Nets

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Published Oct 18, 2024  •  5 minute read

Raptors' Scottie Barnes dribbles the ball during first half NBA preseason action against the Nets in Brooklyn, N.Y., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. Photo by Heather Khalifa /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

As final tune-up tips go, there were enough stretches to suggest the Raptors are well prepared for the grind that awaits when the ball gets tossed for real beginning with opening night next Wednesday and a home date against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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At no point during the team’s five-game exhibition schedule were the Raptors able to field a healthy roster.

Much will be made of Friday night’s opening lineup, but the ensuing days and news on the various injury fronts will dictate the starting group and whatever bench head coach Darko Rajakovic decides to employ, what roles are designated, what minutes are doled out.

The two main takeaways from Toronto’s trip to Brooklyn involved Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley, two players who happen to be the team’s best and most indispensable.

For what he does in the post, the way he’s capable of controlling the glass, his soft hands and ability to finish at the rim, the third key cog is Jakob Poeltl.

Depending on the health status of RJ Barrett, who missed his fourth preseason game in a row following a shoulder setback in the opener, the potential to have four legitimate pieces on the court at least provides some hope.

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Wins will be elusive, but the Raptors do have the makings of being an entertaining team.

How many wins are achieved will ultimately hinge on their ability to make three-point shots and defend, especially when shots aren’t dropping.

For the record, the Raptors closed out the preseason with a 3-2 record following Friday night’s 116-112 win over the Nets.

BARNES BURNER

The night began with Barnes matched up against Ben Simmons, players whose career trajectory have taken some dramatic turns.

Simmons was part of Philly’s much-ballyhooed process that turned into a profound disappointment.

He played his way out of Philly and it’s anyone’s guess what kind of presence Simmons will have on a Nets team that is decidedly young and inexperienced.

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While he has the size, can handle the ball, can play in the post when sufficiently motivated, and can definitely defend multiple positions, Simmons’ biggest flaw is the lack of a jump shot.

A close second is a lack of motivation.

Barnes wasn’t taken first overall, but he does have a much higher ceiling than Simmons.

When Simmons went first overall in 2016, future NBA champions in Jaylen Brown and Jamal Murray would be taken after the point guard whom many viewed as a potential hoops pioneer because of his size and ability to initiate an offence.

Observers are still waiting and will likely continue to wait on someone who seems destined for the ranks of underachiever.

The 2016 draft also featured Poeltl being selected ninth overall by the Raptors.

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Poeltl started at centre for the Raptors at the Barclays Center.

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His return from a finger injury sustained in early March during a rare win has gone somewhat unnoticed, but when he’s been on the floor this preseason it’s hard not notice his presence.

One overlooked aspect to Poeltl’s game is his ability to put the ball on the floor when the paint isn’t clogged.

His bunnies close to the basket last season became his primary scoring option.

If he can use the dribble like he did against the Nets in some possessions it will allow the Raptors to expand their offence.

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Bruno Fernando once again served as the primary big.

He did execute a well-schemed pick and roll with Barnes.

The veteran big was the roller who got fouled at the rim.

He converted one of his two free throws.

Defensively, he was a bit late on the weak side and picked up a foul, his second in three minutes.

Barnes made a strong move in attacking the basket late in the opening quarter before finishing at the rim.

Barnes’ intensity was palpable in playing 10 minutes.

The game began with the Raptors playing with virtually no defensive intensity in falling behind 9-0.

How they started and how they closed out the period were diametrically opposite.

The second quarter began with the Nets having the ball in Simmons’ hand on a post up with Barnes on his hip.

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Barnes forced Simmons to kick out.

Simmons was then called for an offensive charge on another possession.

Then came another possession with Simmons bringing the ball up the floor.

Barnes picked him up at mid-court and kept in front of Simmons in a clinical defensive sequence.

Like Barnes, Simmons can go the length of the floor when controlling a defensive rebound.

Unlike Barnes, Simmons does not look to score because he’s so unwilling to shoot the basketball.

Then again, Barnes must score for the Raptors to have a chance.

Poeltl is more than capable of scoring in certain matchups.

Mid-way through the second quarter, he took an entry pass from Gradey Dick and easily scored.

POINT DIFFERENTIAL

With Quickley back in the starting lineup, the Raptors had the luxury of dressing three point guards.

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Times have definitely changed from last season when the Raptors had no competent point guard when Quickley was unavailable.

When Ochai Agbaji, who started Friday night, picked up his third foul four minutes into the evening it was Davion Mitchell coming off the bench.

Mitchell has looked competent running an offence when minutes are provided.

Later, it was Jamal Shead’s turn to get some minutes.

The drop-off from Quickley to the likes of Mitchell and Shead is quite steep, but the latter two have shown an ability to be serviceable, which is all the Raptors can ask.

Mind you, when the regular season rolls around next Wednesday, the ball with be in Barnes’ hand when Quickley isn’t the primary ball handler.

Neither Mitchell nor Shead committed a turnover in the first half, 24 minutes of decent basketball that would see the Raptors take a 53-50 lead into the break.

Collectively, the Raptors went 3-for-17 from distance, including Agbaji going 1-for-5.

Toronto was a plus-six in the turnover battle, a big reason why the Nets were held to 20 second-quarter points.

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