TORONTO – James Harden and Kawhi Leonard are two of essentially the most prolific scorers within the NBA, but against the suddenly hot Toronto Raptors they looked average.
Rookie Ja’Kobe Walter said that Toronto’s success against Harden and Leonard in a 115-108 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers was proof that the Raptors are gaining confidence on defence. The victory was Toronto’s eighth in its last 10 games.
“Everybody knows what (Harden and Leonard) are able to doing,” said Walter, who had 10 points, 4 rebounds, and a steal in 21 minutes off the bench. “You’ve got to key in on those guys.
“We’ve watched a variety of film, we all know their tendencies, we just tried to do what we could to the most effective of our abilities, taking away what they wish to do.”
Harden led Los Angeles with 25 points within the loss, adding seven assists and five rebounds. Leonard had 14 points, six rebounds and three assists.
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But Harden was limited to 35 per cent shooting from field-goal range and Leonard shot 33 per cent, each well below their profession averages of 44 and 49.8 per cent respectively.
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“They did an important job tonight playing defence and so they protected their home floor,” said Leonard, who was instrumental within the Raptors’ 2019 NBA championship. “That’s how they got the win.”
Toronto’s defence has helped it grow to be one in all the most well liked teams within the NBA with the league’s trade deadline looming on Thursday afternoon. It’s not clear yet if the rebuilding Raptors will likely be buyers, sellers, or stand pat on the deadline.
Opponents have been limited to fewer than 100 points 4 times in Toronto’s past 10 games, helping the Raptors win eight of those matchups. Walter said that this stretch has been confidence constructing.
“You may really tell on the court, we’re really beginning to help one another defensively,” said the 20-year-old Walter. “We’re talking and the more that we lock up, the more confidence we get throughout the sport.
“We’ve been winning, too. It just carries over.”
Sophomore Gradey Dick, more known for his touch as a shooter, was paired off with Leonard throughout the sport, dogging the two-time NBA finals MVP across the court.
Dick said that the return of players like Immanuel Quickley and Bruce Brown from injury has helped Toronto (16-33) stiffen its defence and start its climb up the Eastern Conference standings.
“There’s a lot change with our roster previously couple weeks, with guys coming back,” said Dick. “Just getting big pieces like that.
“I believe it’s just knowing in our heads we don’t need to vary, really anything. We just must go on the market and play hard.”
Quickley remains to be on a minutes restriction and had 11 points and 6 assists in 17 minutes of play time on Sunday. Brown had six points, three rebounds and two assists off the bench.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 2, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
