Raptors defeat Nets in dominant Game 1 showing

In Game 1, the Toronto Raptors dominated and showed they are true contenders.

The injury-ridden Brooklyn Nets were ultimately unable to compete with the defending champion Toronto Raptors in the first game of their 2020 NBA Playoffs series, as they lost 134-110. It was never really close with the Raptors opening up an early 10-2 lead that ballooned into a 33-point advantage midway through the second quarter. Their lead fluctuated throughout the rest of the game, and though the Nets were able to make a push in the third quarter, entering the final quarter with just a single-digit deficit, no viewer could have ever really doubted that the Raptors would ultimately triumph.

Though the Nets did not play as poorly as the final score would indicate, the Raptors did nevertheless outplay them in every area. Toronto shot tremendously, going 22-of-44 from 3-point range and 32-for-33 from the free-throw line, which helped make the margin of victory as large as it ultimately was. It was a dominant start to the playoffs for the Raptors, who are eager to show that their successful run last season was not solely contingent on the presence of Kawhi Leonard and that this is still a great team in its own right.

What else did you miss from Game 1 between the Raptors and Nets?

Heartwarming moment of the (pre)game: Starting intros

The Raptors’ starting five was announced virtually by their family members and it was wonderful to see. Marc Gasol was introduced by his two daughters, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam by their brothers, Fred VanVleet by his partner and two children, and Kyle Lowry by his two sons. There was a wide range of approaches taken by these five groups, with Siakam’s brother yelling as if he was hoping Pascal could hear him in Orlando, while Anunoby’s brother was more matter-of-fact about the whole thing, giving off an attitude of dignified professionalism.

Of course, the various players’ children stole the show, and anyone who’s spent any amount of time with children will recognize the desperate but futile attempts of VanVleet’s girlfriend to try to keep the kids focused long enough to shoot the intro in a semi-coherent manner.

Personally, I was quite partial to Lowry’s two sons, Karter and Kameron, who traded off lines while walking towards and away from the camera in a way that appears at least semi-choreographed. Just as good as their introduction though was Lowry’s reaction, as he beamed with delight, laughing joyfully at his children’s work. It was great on its own, but anything that can make Kyle Lowry that happy is worth celebrating.

MVP: Fred VanVleet

It’s truly hard to imagine how Fred VanVleet could have performed any better in Game 1. He started the game on fire and never looked back, ending up with 30 points and 11 assists on 11-of-15 shooting, including 8-of-10 from deep. VanVleet helped the Raptors immensely on a day that their two All-Stars combined to shoot a mere 7-for-27 from the floor — though both Siakam and Lowry still ended up with more points than shots thanks to their ability to get to the free-throw line and their perfect shooting there.

VanVleet somehow seems to keep getting better and continue having bigger games for Toronto. If the Raptors are going to repeat as champions, there’s no doubt VanVleet will be a major reason why.

Meme-able moment of the game: Powell in pain

Early in the game, Norman Powell went down and was struggling to regain his footing, having to lean on a Raptors coach or trainer as he was escorted off the floor. It was initially a worrisome moment for Toronto fans, as Powell is an often unheralded but nevertheless crucial piece for the team off the bench.

However, replays revealed the innocuous reason for his crumbling to the floor: Garrett Temple, while reaching for a pass, lifted his foot and hell-kicked Powell right in his Denver Nuggets. The worry and concern immediately evaporated into amusement and a bit of empathy as Powell was revealed to be fine, ultimately scoring six points along with three rebounds.