The Toronto Raptors recorded their sixth straight win in Memphis against the Grizzlies on Tuesday, coming back from down 17 to get the win.
Here are my takeaways from the game:
1. Fred VanVleet is Back
Fred VanVleet, a Sixth Man of the Year candidate just last year, has been really struggling to start the season. He showed flashes of last year's greatness of the bench against the Bulls, but was struggling for most of this early part of the season.
Against Memphis, VanVleet was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, 3-for-3 from deep, good for 18 points. While Kawhi recorded a double-double and Serge Ibaka went for 19 points on the night, it was VanVleet who made the fourth quarter comeback possible.
After seeing his performance against Memphis, Raptors fans must be hopeful that the game was a sign of his resurgence.
2. Leads Really Mean Nothing These Days
After the Raptors blew a 19-point lead against Detroit and almost blowing a lead of 20+ against Miami, and seeing leads blown across the league so far this season, we've come to the conclusion that no lead of less than 30 is safe throughout the first three quarters.
This point was even further proven against the Grizzlies last night, when the Raptors came back from down 17 in just over a quarter of play.
3. Marc Gasol and Mike Conley is an Underrated Duo
Marc Gasol and Mike Conley have been teammates for their entire careers, an 11-year span.
The kind of chemistry that comes with that is one of the most valuable factors making up a franchise-player-duo such as Gasol and Conley.
The two long-time Grizzlies combined for 47 points on the night, displaying their frontcourt-backcourt one-two punch.
At the end of the night, the Raptors were able to overcome the deficit and pull out the win, despite the good play of Gasol and Conley.