Toronto Raptors: 3 early takeaways from NBA playoff series vs Nets

1. It’s Fred VanVleet’s show

Money is ahead for Fred VanVleet, and he is playing for it through the first two games of Round 1.

With a combined 54 points on 19-for-37 shooting, the Wichita State product, not Pascal Siakam, is in control for the Raptors. His eight 3-pointers brought them forward in Game 1, and another 24 points in Game 2, despite inefficiency from behind the arc in 43 minutes, created the foundation for both wins.

VanVleet also has a double-double in each game, adding 21 total assists to be the main distributor while Lowry supplements him and others, including Siakam, thrive.

VanVleet’s great play has come against a diminished Brooklyn backcourt, so, perhaps, he’s taking advantage of that, as his final three seeding games were relatively ineffective. It’s the proper time for a turnaround, though, as the Raptors try to stay on track before potentially colliding with the winner of the Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers series in Round 2.

Plus, the steady work against capable defenders like Caris LeVert and Garrett Temple provide enough reps before running into the long wings in Boston, who may switch on to him for better defensive control as one of Toronto’s top scorers.

VanVleet’s opportunities to showcase himself before a payday are ample as the postseason continues, and with Siakam not exploding in either game, it could be the 26-year-old guard’s stage in the bubble.