Raptors

The lineup with Trent has played a team-high 378 minutes this season and posted a plus-0.8 net rating. The five-man group featuring Poeltl has already logged ...

[possible changes](https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/02/nba-union-making-progress-toward-new-cba.html)to the NBA’s rules governing veteran extensions could affect the Raptors’ ability to lock up Anunoby before he becomes eligible for free agency in 2024. [Retweet](http://twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hoopsrumors.com%2F2023%2F03%2Fraptors-notes-starting-five-poeltl-koloko-anunoby.html&text=Raptors+Notes%3A+Starting+Five%2C+Poeltl%2C+Koloko%2C...)3 [Share](#)0 [Send via email](#)0 Nurse said this week that he’d like to keep either Poeltl or Koloko on the floor most of the time to anchor the defense, so the rookie could see more regular minutes in the coming weeks. [Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca](https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/o-g-anunoby-is-a-defensive-unicorn-how-will-that-impact-his-contract-talks-with-the-raptors/), observing that the Raptors forward has guarded everyone from [Bradley Beal](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bealbr01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.hoopsrumors.com&utm_campaign=2023-03-17_bbr)to [DeMar DeRozan](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/derozde01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.hoopsrumors.com&utm_campaign=2023-03-17_bbr)to [Nikola Jokic](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jokicni01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.hoopsrumors.com&utm_campaign=2023-03-17_bbr)in recent weeks. “(Poeltl has) given us a little bit better screening game, a roll threat,” head coach Nick Nurse said, per Koreen. “He’s probably optimal at his position, a wing player. However, since replacing Trent in that group with Poeltl, the Raptors’ starting five has become a major strength. Milwaukee, so they could benefit from load management if the Celtics and Bucks are locked into playoff seeds and decide not to play their starters big minutes in those games. [posted](https://www.nba.com/stats/lineups/advanced?slug=advanced&TeamID=1610612761) a plus-0.8 net rating. Trent will also likely be a free agent. While Poeltl’s rim-protecting ability has helped stabilize Toronto’s defense, the club’s offense has also been highly effective when he’s on the floor, scoring 123.6 points per 100 possessions. [Jakob Poeltl](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/poeltja01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=www.hoopsrumors.com&utm_campaign=2023-03-17_bbr) has finally given the Raptors a starting five that can dominate opposing lineups, writes [Eric Koreen of The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/4318638/2023/03/16/raptors-starting-lineup-stats-highlights/).

The Toronto Raptors used a balanced effort by the starting unit to coast to a comfortable and satisfying win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

got more chances to catch-and-shoot through passes from Siakam and [Fred VanVleet](/basketball/nba/players/fred-vanvleet/707832), but he also got some of his own offence through driving to get to the foul line, and three plays in transition that he turned into a layup, two foul shots and an assist to O.G. Although VanVleet was able to pick Gilgeous-Alexander three times for his only three turnovers of the game, VanVleet simply wasn't tall enough to affect Gilgeous-Alexander's shot on drives to the rim. [Chris Boucher](/basketball/nba/players/chris-boucher/901190)'s hustle is never in question, but he fell into an old habit of leaving his feet on defence, including on a bad stretch to close the third where he lost Isaiah Joe for three and committed two fouls under the basket against a smaller player. Head coach Nick Nurse had hinted at playing rookie [Christian Koloko](/basketball/nba/players/christian-koloko/1193674) at backup centre after being recalled from his recent G-League spell, but the assumption was Koloko would share the court with Achiuwa rather than take his spot. Siakam was sharp in his defensive rotations, diligent on the glass, including a team-high five offensive rebounds, danced through defenders using his signature spin move and two tidy euro-step finishes in traffic, and had the legs to launch his jumper with confidence for three triples. But the leader of the charge was their leader all season in

The latest NBA rumors suggest that D'Angelo Russell will return to the Los Angeles Lakers. This could be bad for the Toronto Raptors and Fred VanVleet.

As such, LA’s pursuit of Russell will have ripple effects that may not be great for Masai Ujiri and the Raptors. Russell coming off the market might make a VanVleet deal more likely. The latest NBA rumors suggest that the point guard market around him isn’t going to be super deep, with only a few players capable of replacing his production.

TORONTO - Fred VanVleet feels like his Toronto Raptors are finding their rhythm with the NBA post-season right around the corner.

“That’s just good momentum,” said VanVleet of the sequence. Poeltl brought the crowd of 19,800 at Scotiabank Arena to their feet with a one-handed jam with 3:19 left in the half. “They were the aggressors all night on both ends of the floor,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. He was listed as questionable by the Raptors following the injury. “I think we’re just continuing to get better at understanding each other’s spots and making sure that we play together, communicate. Jakob Poeltl also had a double-double with 16 points and 12 boards to help the Raptors (34-36) out-rebound the Thunder 58-39.

This game was a prototype of how the Raptors want to look on offence. Toronto got to the line, shot over 40 percent from three and dished out 29 assists.

Gilgeous-Alexander still finished with a solid 29 points on 12-19 shooting, but went 3-9 in the second half. Something to monitor, as Nurse said a couple days ago that he may put Achiuwa on the wing. Fred VanVleet said he felt like he did a good job guarding Gilgeous-Alexander post game, but then looked up and saw that Shai was 9-10 in the first half for 19 points. Siakam got back on track by drawing fouls and attempting six free throws in the first quarter. Toronto moves within a half game of Atlanta for eighth in the East, but the Hawks hold the 2-1 season tie breaker. Pascal snapped out of his biggest funk of the season.

The NBA season is winding down and the Toronto Raptors still have a lot to sort out. Is the play-in tournament all but guaranteed?

What is the rotation in a do-or-die series? Is the play-in tournament all but guaranteed? The NBA season is winding down and the Toronto Raptors still have a lot to sort out.

Failing to reach .500 once again, the Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the Toronto Raptors, 128-111, on Thursday. In his homecoming, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ...

With the Thunder struggling to generate offense, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander still found a way to score 29 points against a lengthy Toronto Raptors team.