On January 12, Beijing time, the Suns played against the Raptors, and the recent Momentum of the Raptors is very strong. The two sides played fiercely, with the Raptors leading by 11 points at one point, and they were in the lead most of the time. But the Suns tried to narrow the point difference, and finally the Suns won the game 99-95. Paul had 15 points, 12 assists and five steals, hit a key shot, and the final free throw was also firmly hit, and the 36-year-old should still be in the All-Star, playing too well. Booker went down 4-of-13 shooting and finished with just 16 points, 5 boards and 3 assists. Van Jordan had 21 points and five assists, Siakam had 22 points, seven boards and seven assists, Anunoby also had 25 points, and Trident still lost.
Crowder came up and hit a three-pointer, the Raptors didn't play well on offense, and Birch scored four straight points behind him. The two teams scored against each other, with Anunoby hitting a three-pointer, Paul breaking through the throw, Van Jordan scoring a three-pointer, and then hitting another jumper. Paul hit a dry shot, and van Jordan scored three points, and Sika also scored four consecutive points. After Smith scored five straight points, Van Jordan hooked up and the Raptors led by eight points. The Raptors continued to exert themselves in the second quarter, leading by 11 points at one point. Crowder scored seven straight points, and after Van Jordan hit a jumper, Crowder had three more points. Booker finally scored from behind, Paul also hit a three-pointer, and then assisted a teammate dunk to reverse the score. The Raptors scored in response, Sika also scored 2+1, Crowder hit the last three points, and the Raptors led by two points.
Fortunately, Claude stepped forward, otherwise the sun would have fallen behind a lot. Booker finally hit a three-pointer in the third quarter, Paul also hit a jump shot, and the Suns took the lead. Anunoby hit a three-pointer, Booker responded with three-pointers, Sika jumped 2+1, Ayton hit 2 free throws, and then scored from the basket. Van Jordan hit a three-pointer to tie the score. Paul hit the shot, the Raptors scored consecutive points, but fortunately Booker hit all 2 free throws, Shamet and hit three points. Boucher hit 2 free throws, Payne threw in, then Boucher scored, and Sika scored in the end, the Raptors still led by two points.
Paul rested first in the fourth quarter, Boucher continued to make up the basket, Payne threw a shot, Van Jordan hit a three-point shot, and then Sika stealted, assisted teammates to score, and stopped the Suns. Shamet hit 3 free throws and Paul also assisted Bridges 2+1 to tie the score. The Raptors made up the basket, Ayton scored under the basket, and Boucher scored consecutive free throws. Crowder hit a key three-pointer, and then Paul assisted Bridges for a three-pointer. Sika quickly scored, and Anunoby had three points, and chased another one. Booker was still hitting the iron, and then he was robbed again. Anunoby hit 2 free throws, and at the crucial moment, Booker finally hit the outside, leading by 1 point, and then Paul's mid-range shot was also there, Paul was really stable! Anunoby broke through to the layup. The two teams exchanged free throws, and Paul hit 2 free throws to win the game.
Now the Raptors are really powerful, facing the sun at the forefront of the league, they did not fall down, and even had a slight advantage, and the offensive and defensive ends played very well. Van Jordan, Siakam and Anunoby have all come forward, and this trio has brought a lot of surprises, who thought they could grow to this height? And the chemistry between the three of them is also good. I have to admire Nas's coaching and build this Raptors team into a team that is good offensively and defensively. In addition to the offensive end, the Raptors' defensive effect against the Suns is also good, like Booker can not play. However, it is a pity that Yuta Watanabe played generally in this start, the feel was not good, and the efficiency was very low.
After all, the Suns are a championship-fighting team, they are now neatly staffed, relying on the explosion of Crowder and others, or chasing the point difference back. The adjustment of the sun is still very timely, and Booker can't do it, then many people will erupt. And their biggest problem is too many mistakes, obviously there is Paul in charge, the result is not much assist, but there are many mistakes, in terms of offense, the Suns are very dependent on Paul, Paul went down to rest, the team immediately made mistakes, was pulled apart. After changing Paul back, the Suns immediately reversed the score, paul also sent assists, and the situation on the court was stabilized. And the two teams hit the key moment, Paul naturally gave a lesson to Van Jordan and others, and Paul at the critical moment was really not joking.