NBA Playoffs: 6 X-factors for Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 08: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball as Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the second half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 08, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

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NBA playoffs, Raptors, Nets (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Norman Powell

Norman Powell does a little bit of everything for the Raptors. On a team with a number of ball-dominant players it is easy to get lost in the shuffle. He has scored in double figures in six straight games. He has made something of a leap this season.

After appearing in less than 20 minutes per game in each of his first four seasons his role increased with the departure of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. This season he averaged 16.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 28.3 minutes per game.

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Powell is the perfect fit for a team looking to contend for a title. He attempts 10.3 shots per game in the seeding games and 34.1 percent of those shots are catch and shoot threes. He plays with smart passing big men and ball-dominant guards. He is shooting 50.0 percent on those. While that is admittedly a small sample it allows him to be the perfect role player. Toronto is a solid long-range shooting team and Powell is a huge part of that.

As a defender, the players he is defending are only shooting 38.9 percent. Every championship team wants 3-and-D wings and Norm Powell embodies that for the Raptors.

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