NBA 2018-19: 3 Talking points from the Toronto Raptors' victory over the Los Angeles Clippers

On Tuesday, December 11th, 2018, the Toronto Raptors and the Los Angeles Clippers squared off against each other. The Clippers came into this game, with a 17-9 record, holding down the 4th spot overall, in the Western Conference. They were 6-4 in their last ten games. The Toronto Raptors 21-7 are the best team, in the Eastern Conference and the NBA, at the moment.

The Raptors came into this contest, with the Clippers, having lost three of their last four games. The Raptors playing without Kawhi Leonard raced out to a 70-57 halftime lead. They got 13 first-half points, from Pascal Siakam, on 6/8 shooting.

Serge Ibaka had 14 points, in the first half. Kyle Lowry had 7 points. The Clippers used a 22-12 run, with back up point guard, Milos Teodoscic going 3/3, from behind the arc, and recording two assists. This pulled the Clippers within five points mid-second quarter.

The Clippers got 27 bench points, in the first half and 64 in total, for the game The Raptors used a 13-4 run early, in the third quarter, to take an 83-61 lead. The Raptors got back into the win column taking this game 123-99. Here are three talking points from this contest!

#1 Is Kyle Lowry's slump over?

Kyle Lowry is the engine that makes the Toronto Raptors function. He runs the offense, provides scoring and assists and is an end of the shot clock safety valve, for the Raptors. Lowry also provides the Raptors, with tough defense. However, his great play to start this season has slipped, in recent games.

After playing 41 minutes against Golden State, on November 29th, 2018, Lowry missed the next match against the Cavaliers due to a sore back. He returned against Denver on December 3rd, 2018 in a loss to the Nuggets, but his production has been sparse. He is shooting 5/32 in the last handful of games he has played including a 0/5 night against the Milwaukee Bucks.

There are questions about Lowry’s health as over the last week or two the majority of his shots are overwhelming, from behind the arc. Lowry is normally very good at getting to the basket and finishing and drawing fouls. He hasn’t been doing any of that lately. The Raptors need an aggressive Lowry especially since their bench has been inconsistent this year.

In this game, Kyle Lowry had seven first-half points. He shot 3/7 in the first half and made two easy shots early, in the third quarter, around the basket. Kyle ended the contest tonight with 8/13 shooting, for 21 points, and 7 assists. With Leonard out of the lineup, with a double header, on Wednesday, against Golden State, the Raptors needed production from Lowry tonight and they got it.

#2 Battle of the benches

What was a super strength, for the Toronto Raptors last year has been a bit average this season. The players, on the Raptors bench, have changed. Jacob Poeltl is playing in SanAntonio. Pascal Siakam is now starting most games. This puts more scoring pressure, on Fred Vanvleet, who is feeling it. His three-point shooting is down 7% from 41% last year, but, he got the start, in place of Leonard, tonight.

C.J. Miles has been almost nonexistent, for the Raptors. He is a three-point shooting specialist and is becoming less effective every night. Last year, Miles averaged 10 points per game and shot 36% from three-point range, in 19 minutes a game. This season Miles is averaging 4.9 points per game, on 32% shooting, from three-point range, in 13.9 minutes a game. Tonight the Raptors got 50 points, from their bench, which is solid production.

In contrast, the Clippers got 64 of 99 points, off of their bench. Boban Marjanovic scored 18 points, Tyrone Wallace had 15 points and Mike Scott and Milos Teodosic each had 9 points. It was a productive night, for the Clippers bench. However, the starters did not produce. The most effective starter, for the Clippers, was Danilo Gallinari, with 11 points.

The Clippers bench definitely came to play. If their starters had matched the bench's intensity, this could have been a closer game. The Clippers were without Lou Williams, against Toronto. The Clippers starters looked like they were the team, that traveled, to play this game. In fact, it was the Raptors, playing on the road, in Los Angeles.

#3 Clippers commit too many turnovers

One easy assessment, of this blowout loss, to the Toronto Raptors, can be blamed on turnovers. By the end of this game, the Clippers had committed 17 turnovers giving the Raptors 24 easy points.

Its hard to stay close, with an opponent, like the Raptors, on the score sheet, but making this many mistakes decreases your chances. While the Clippers bench provided a lot of scoring,

Eleven of the Clippers' 17 turnovers came from their bench players, as well. Milos Teodosic, Patrick Beverly, and Tyrone Wallace each had three turnovers. The Toronto Raptors, in comparison, only committed nine turnovers giving the Clippers just five points.

The Raptors have tough defenders all over the court. Whether its Kyle Lowry, Danny Green, Serge Ibaka or Pascal Siakam. The Raptors are quick and aggressive defensively and the Clippers were simply careless all night, with the basketball.

For example, on one play, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander found Tobias Harris, in the corner, for an open three, during the first half. However, Harris stepped out of bounds before receiving the pass. The Clippers were also called for a shot clock violation early, in the third quarter, with Serge Ibaka all over the Clippers ball handler.

Edited by Abhinav Munshi