Murray has 31 points as Raptors’ win streak ends in Denver

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Almost from the opening tap, it was obvious this matchup had a different feel, a different compete level one normally associates with playoff basketball.

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Barring some complete implosion, which seems very unlikely, both the Raptors and Nuggets will be participants in the NBA’s post-season.

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While each team has plenty of areas to iron out before basketball’s second season tips off, Friday night’s meeting was very compelling with every possession looming large.

Safe to say this was the game of the year for the Raptors, who entered the night having won three in a row, including a home win last Sunday against the East-leading Detroit Pistons, a victory many placed in the signature category.

The difference between the Pistons and Nuggets is playoff pedigree.

The simple fact the Raptors were on the road Friday night meant their attention to detail needed to be on extreme high alert.

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Physical, intense, neither team taking anything for granted, there was no room for error, trademarks of a playoff game.

No lead was ever safe, even when Toronto led by as many as 11 points in the third quarter.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the teams were tied, 101-101.

Tim Hardaway Jr. was red-hot from distance as the Raptors were unable to control the defensive glass.

Still, the Raptors kept fighting and kept responding as the intensity reached another level.

In a nutshell, the evening turned epic.

Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl were Toronto’s two best players.

Denver would win the game, 121-115, but it could have gone either way.

Toronto needs to be better on the boards, a weakness that gave the Nuggets extra possessions.

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The following are three takeaways as the Raptors’ misery in the Mile High City City continued. Toronto has not escaped Denver with a win since 2022.

1. B.I. Goes M.I.A.

Brandon Ingram is the Raptors’ best offensive player and by far their most versatile player when he has the ball in his hands.

He became an afterthought in the opening half as the Raptors, who led after the opening 12 minutes, trailed 57-53 at intermission.

It should be concerning with the playoffs looming that Ingram was able to heave only four first-half attempts in 18 minutes.

Offensively, Toronto’s Big 3 of Ingram, Barnes and RJ Barrett went a combined 6-for-22 from the field in the first half.

The threesome combined for six turnovers.

The offensive catalyst would be Ja’Kobe Walter, who also provided the Raptors with his trademark solid defence.

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Toronto began the second half by putting Ingram in isolation against Aaron Gordon.

Ingram got Gordon to leave his feet on a ball fake, drew a foul and converted one of two free throws.

Getting Ingram more involved was one of the main adjustments the Raptors made at halftime.

The other adjustment was getting out more in transition, a quicker pace that allowed the Raptors to build a double-digit advantage.

Of course, the transition game gets ignited when stops are made.

A more involved Ingram forced the Nuggets to send an extra defender.

2. Guarded Optimism

Not surprisingly, the Raptors began the game by using Barnes (and not Poeltl, Toronto’s one and only big man) to defend Nikola Jokic.

While he gave up size, Barnes’ ability to get up on Jokic did limit the Joker’s ability to find cutters.

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Jokic operated from the top of the key.

Poeltl will defend the paint, but when asked to extend his defence he does become vulnerable.

He is also susceptible in high pick and roll sequences.

When the Raptors had Poeltl on the bench, it was Barnes serving as the de facto centre.

In this alignment, it forced the Joker to extend his defence when Barnes roamed on the perimeter.

Barnes isn’t a three-point threat, but when his feet are set and when he’s given space he is more than capable of draining shots.

However, his five first-half three-point attempts were three too many.

Needless to say, the Nuggets are a different team offensively when the Joker isn’t on the floor.

Having said that, Denver did beat the Raptors in Toronto on New Year’s Eve when the Joker was sidelined with a knee injury.

When Jokic carves out space in the post with Barnes guarding him, the Joker is unstoppable.

On one back down, Barnes blocked Joker’s attempt.

Poeltl was unstoppable in the third quarter as the Raptors outscored the Nuggets 41-28 in the period.

Poeltl’s 12 third-quarter points led Toronto’s starting unit, which had its finest stretch of the season.

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3. O Canada

Two of Canada’s premier ballers were on display at Ball Arena.

Once again, RJ Barrett was aggressive for the Raptors.

Even when he failed to finish at the rim, it did little to discourage Barrett.

As for Denver’s Jamal Murray, the first-time all-star initiated the offence when the ball wasn’t in the hands of the Joker.

The Barrett-Murray theme was one of many subplots on this night.

Competitive spirit binds Barrett and Murray, who each play with a fearlessness and unselfishness that endears them to their teammates.

When the Raptors fouled Murray late in the game, he buried both free throws to make it a two-possession game.

Murray was brilliant in the second half.

He led all scorers with 32 points.

Up Next

Following an off day, the Raptors will be back in action Sunday in Phoenix against a Suns team that went 2-4 on a recent road trip, including a 122-115 loss in Toronto; the Suns will play host to Milwaukee Saturday, the first of a four-game home stand; Canadian Dillon Brooks remains sidelined for Phoenix because of a fractured left hand.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

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