Listen to That’s A Rap #14: Post-Game 2 vs. Magic Reaction

You can all exhale now! After a deflating Game 1 loss and three days of “what happened” questions, Toronto put the pedal to the metal and never let up. Everything Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster envisioned — from the Kawhi/DeMar trade to the February deadline moves — came to fruition in a 29-point beatdown against Orlando.

Listen as the boys attempt to contain their excitement after last night’s Game 2 victory.

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Toronto jumped out to an 11-0 lead, seemingly determined to make this a short evening. Orlando scrapped their way to a somewhat manageable halftime deficit. After halftime, the Raptors did what Finals contenders do and stomped on the inferior competition. If you switched Game 1 and 2, how would you feel about the Raptors today?

Kawhi Leonard is a Toronto Raptor. Kawhi Leonard es un raptor de Toronto. Kawhi Leonard est un rapt de Toronto. Kawhi Leonard是多倫多猛龍隊. Si Kawhi Leonard ay isang Toronto Raptor. It doesn’t matter what language you use: Kawhi Leonard is a freaking Toronto Raptor!

Kawhi showing glimpses of Finals-MVP Kawhi will steal all the headlines, and deservedly so, but Kyle Lowry deserves credit for bouncing back. Bandwagoners and Overreactors were quick to point out Lowry’s scoreless Game 1. While that’s a bad look for any All-Star, it’s magnified because of Kyle’s playoff history. He positively affected Game 1 in all other areas except scoring. When the buckets finally dropped in Game 2, it was just the latest reminder of why he is the engine to the Raptors’ Ferrari (Porsche? Tesla? I’m not a car guy. Don’t @ me.)

With so many positives coming out of this game, it was surprising that Pascal Siakam — who had been shut down by the Orlando’s wings in the regular season — not only had another good game, but recorded his first career playoff double-double.

There is always room for improvement and, while their aggressive play led to 10 steals, the Raptors need to be wary of closeouts beyond the arc. The team gave up shooting fouls on threes on multiple occasions. Fouls in general were an issue in the first quarter. Chalk that up to the league’s most hated referee, Marc Davis, or to a lack of control, but Toronto needs to keep an eye on their aggression as they hit the road.

3:00 - Give me all the numbers

8:15 - Playoff Kawhi Leonard is a Toronto Raptor

13:20 - Minor adjustments for Game 3

16:15 - Putting a bow on this and moving on