On January 5, Beijing time, in a just-concluded NBA regular season game, the San Antonio Spurs lost 104-129 to the Toronto Raptors, suffering four consecutive defeats.
The Spurs didn't feel good on the team in this game, shooting just 9-of-35 from three-point range. A number of players on the team struggled, especially Kelden Johnson, an important player in the team's training, who shot only 3 of 13 in 29 minutes, with 6 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists plus 3 turnovers. His recent poor performance is also an important reason for the Spurs' consecutive losses.
And the team's center Jacob Pelter became a rare fig leaf for the team. He played just 22 minutes, shooting 9-of-13 and having 19 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. It is worth mentioning that his points, rebounds and assists are the highest in the team.
On the other hand, the Raptors on the opposite side shot 18 of 44 from three-point range, shooting 40.9% from the field. Seven players from the team scored in double figures, including core guard Fred VanVleet, who played 32 minutes and shot 12-of-23, including 7-of-14 three-pointers, with 33 points, seven assists and two steals. Compared to the Spurs' nine three-pointers, Van Vliet alone hit 7.
After the Raptors underwent a major blood change, VanVleet is now the team's top scorer. So far this season, he has averaged the league's highest average of 37.4 minutes per game, averaging 21.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. He shot 44.1 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from three-point range.
The Raptors are currently ninth in the East with 17 wins and 17 losses under his leadership this season, and their morale is high recently, with a wave of three consecutive wins. From the NBA's losing draft to the Raptors' current team core, VanVleet's story is an inspirational model.