Matt Shantz

Playing the Nets stresses me out a bit. There is no upside to it. If the Raptors demolish them, it's just what they're supposed to do. But if they lose...devastating.

And while it's early days on this book, The Dog Stars by Peter Heller is off to a great start.

Brought my son to the indoor playground at the YMCA to kill some time today. He normally only plays here for about 20 minutes, but we are closing in on finishing hour number 2, and I could not be happier.

Dude is having an awesome time, and I'm making progress on my book.

Embarrassing defensive rebounding down the stretch from the Raptors.

Zero concern about being put on a poster if it goes bad, and meets him at the apex.

I love him.

Murray-Boyles doubling Embiid for a steal was my offseason fan-fic, and now it is reality.

CMB is a menace. And he's our menace.

The Raptors being a team that casually drains 3s us good for my soul.

I have always believed that the best teams rise to the pressure of the NBA Cup. And the Raptors have done so.

This game has too much Sam Mitchell.

Immanuel got out of his shooting slump...Quickley.

Battle has barely even touched the ball in the halfcourt, yet Atlanta isn't daring to leave him for even a moment.

I assume this is about Jamal Shead. Good decision.

Feels like on the season Raptors are shooting 70% or better on Shead passes.

It's early, but I miss the Hawks playing 1-2 atrocious defenders at all times. Those were good times.

Poeltl started the season 0-5 on free-throws this season before getting his first 2 to go down tonight.

Ingram's midrange game has been comically good.

Raptors and Hawks delayed start as something at the score table is unplugged. So that's a fun way to kick things off.

Raptors slapped the Hawks on opening night and spent plenty of time hunting Trae Young and Luke Kennard, both of who will miss tonight's rematch.

Collin Murray-Boyles is averaging 1.40 PPP on 1.8 FGA as a PnR Roller.

Early days! With that said, impressed with his screening fundamentals. Point of contact, patience, the savvy nudge he gives to delay defenders and his overall comfort/footwork in traffic.

Jamal Shead! Shead-Heads unite!!!

Love when Louis goes deep on a topic, but I'm always giddy to find out what obscure reference he makes as a lead. And folks...he has outdone himself.

As was pointed out to me, it was a sunrise. Not a sunset.

I'll chock this up to the 5:40am wake-up when my son wanted to show me the book he was looking at..

haha whoops.

Probably someone in Gordon Lightfoot's anthology already.

This morning as I biked over the river I had the sunset on my left, and a full moon on my right. And I got to see/hear my son marvel at it. That folks is the best way I could have imagined to start my day.

According to Basketball Reference the Raptors are now 6th in Adjusted Offensive Rating (119.8) and up to 18th for Adjusted Defensive Rating (116.2). While 18th isn't good, it feels like a win considering they decided to not play defense for at least 3 of their 8 games.

And they are surrounded by plus passing across the board. So no matter who is the release valve after those doubles (or triples), they can easily move it along for advantage creation.

Happy Birthday to you, @sarahsmacdonald.bsky.social. I'm happy to have you in my little corner of the internet.

Raptors earn their second professional ass kicking win of the season. Good times.