Toronto Raptors Quarterly Awards: Third Quarter

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Feb 27, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) shoots for three over New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) in the final seconds of the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Toronto won 92-91. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Win of the year

February 27th 2017, Raptors sew up the Knicks 92-91

DeMar DeRozan over Derrick Rose Game Winner at MSG

We love this win against the Knicks for two reasons:

1) It reminded the Knicks that they’re the Knicks and they don’t get to beat the Raptors in a blowout

2) DeRozan is doing what DeRozan does best – make absurdly difficult contested mid range jump shots.

More from Toronto Raptors

The Raptors were down by 13 at the end of the first half, not insurmountable but in their third game without Lowry it would prove as a difficult test. The Raptors didn’t fly out of the gates at the start of the half, no, they inched back ever so slowly.

An Ibaka three here, a stop there, a DeRozan layup here, a Knicks turnover there, a Jonas Valanciunas fade away here and the Raptors found themselves back in the game. No panicking, no otherworldly flashy plays, just defence and solid play to bring the game back within reach.

This game in particular gave us the faintest glint of what the Raptors defence can truly be capable of, and how devastating DeRozan can be in crunch time.

Next: Are Jonas Valanciunas' Days Numbered in Toronto?

What is your take on any or all of the third quarter awards we handed out for the Raptors? Do you agree or disagree, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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