NBA 2018-19: 3 Takeaways from the Toronto Raptors Vs Memphis Grizzlies

#3 Nick Nurse’s mix and match lineups

Raptors V Grizzles November 27th, 2018.

Head coach Nick Nurse has mixed and matched his line up all season long. Essentially, the only two guaranteed starters for the Raptors have been Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard, when he plays.

We have seen starting lineups including Norman Powell, O.G. Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Danny Green and Jonas Valanciunas or Serge Ibaka at center. It’s the combination of Ibaka or Valanciunas that was most interesting last night.

Nick Nurse went with Ibaka, in the starting line up, against Memphis, to some surprise. Its usually expected that Valanciunas would start against bigger more physical centers like he did Sunday night, against Miami’s Hassan Whiteside, who scored two points.

Memphis employs Marc Gasol, who is 7’1 and 255 pounds. Nick Nurse, however, chose to start Serge Ibaka. It worked out. The Raptors did race out to an 8-0 lead early in the game and got 7-11 shooting from Ibaka for 16 points. Nick Nurse’s ability to mix and match lineups actually helps to build team chemistry and to discover lineups that work well in certain scenarios. It will be an aspect of the Raptors play this season to watch