Raptors in the driver’s seat in the group stage of the NBA Cup

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Scottie Barnes didn't make his first goal until 1:36 remained in the first half and didn't make his first free throw until 8:15 remained in the game.

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And while those two points reflected Toronto's offensive ineffectiveness and passivity for much of Friday's game in Atlanta, the Raptors' level of play and some adjustments at halftime made them disappear in a comeback 109-97 win over the Hawks.

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This 1-0 battle between the two NBA Cup teams had a playoff feel to it, with the Raptors and Hawks fully aware that the winner would be in the driver's seat. Toronto's remaining two opponents in the NBA Cup are Indiana and Washington, both of which are winnable games.

From a competitive standpoint, Friday night was the tightest game of the early season for the Raptors, who were able to remain at their best when the stakes were at their highest.

Immanuel Quickley, R.J. Barrett, Brandon Ingram and Barnes led a balanced attack that saw seven players score in double figures, but every player who took the floor contributed.

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Below are three takeaways from the night as the Raps won their fourth straight game to improve to 5-4.

PACE AND ENERGY RE-OPENED

Lethargy best describes how the Raptors started the game with too many turnovers and their offense lacking.

But when they emerged from the locker room to start the second half, the Raptors were a completely different team. Their pace of play was much faster and their confidence in hitting was much higher.

Unsurprisingly, the nine-point half-time deficit quickly fell.

The question then became whether the Raptors could handle that style of play. But the group must be given credit for regrouping after a truly disappointing second quarter.

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Toronto led the Hawks by four points after three quarters and then opened the scoring by outscoring the hosts 36-20 in the fourth.

Ingram led the Raptors in scoring with 20 points, while Barrett scored 19 and Quickley 18. Barnes finished with 14.

SPOTLIGHT

Given the intermittent nature of his back problems, no one expected Jakob Poeltl to have his best game of the season Tuesday night when the Raptors beat visiting Milwaukee.

But no one could have expected how little this big guy would give in the first half of Friday night.

Poeltl was again prone to fouls. Worse, he would lose track of his man and make cuts down the baseline that resulted in uncontested baskets.

That is why Sandro Mamukelashvili was called up from the bench.

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Mamukelashvili did what he's done since joining the Raptors as a free agent, becoming a starter, posting 12 points and six rebounds in 21 minutes.

Poeltl came on in the second half and also finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The two big players are completely different players. However, for the Raptors to compete for a top-six seed in the East, Poeltl will need to be on the court and producing. Mamukelashvili is a decent backup player, but should not be given more time because he is limited defensively.

DICK'S DILEMMA

Grady Dick is at his best when he is given consistent time and allowed to play without making mistakes.
His third season got off to a strong start when Dick scored 21 points on opening night as the Raptors played a complete game to defeat the host Hawks.

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He hasn't yet come close to his season-opening explosive success, in part because the Raptors haven't yet figured out how best to use him and when to use wing players.

In some ways, he got lost in the lineup shuffle.

With the Raptors facing a shooting slump in the first half, Dick's ability to stop shots seemed like the perfect elixir as the visitors scored just 44 points. Instead, he played just six minutes.
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When he returned to Friday's game in the third quarter, Dick recorded a steal but foolishly attacked the rim when he should have just run the offense.

He made amends by burying a 3-pointer on an open baseline to cut Atlanta's lead to two points.

At one point, the Raptors trailed by as many as 13 points. But Dick continued his improved play from the third quarter into the fourth and scored 11 points in 13 minutes.

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It was a major step in the right direction for Dick, who reached double figures in scoring in back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Next

The Raptors' five-game road trip takes the club to Philadelphia on Saturday night against a well-rested Sixers team, all but guaranteeing big man Joel Embiid's availability… When they last played on Wednesday, the Sixers gave up Cleveland by 132 points in a double-digit loss… Philadelphia has lost two straight games, both on the road… Embiid is limited to minutes with his troubled left knee hasn't gotten worse. He has only appeared in four games so far, averaging 21 minutes.

fzicarelli@postmed hia.com

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