Fred VanVleet Lights it Up For Raptors
Fred VanVleet has only played one of four match-ups between the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers this season. In the one game he did play, the guard went 6-of-11 from deep en route to a 32-point performance. Expect more of the same in this series.
VanVleet was second to only Steph Curry in 3PA per game this season, taking 9.9 threes a game for Toronto. Among the top ten in three-point volume, only Curry surpassed VanVleet’s 37.7% three-point percentage (Curry shot 38%). VanVleet is quietly one of the league’s best from deep.
With Toronto’s fleet of 6’7″-to-6’9″ wings flying around the court, expect VanVleet to thrive off the ball. Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Scottie Barnes are dangerous ballhandlers, who can each make smart passes or menacing drives to the basket. As the Philly defense works to ward off those three, especially in the absence of Thybulle, VanVleet will find space to let threes fly.
VanVleet is not Toronto’s only dangerous volume threat from deep – teammate Gary Trent Jr. shot 38.3% on 7.9 attempts per game from three this year. This duo will no doubt continue to shine against Philly – but expect VanVleet to find success in particular thanks to his playoff experience.
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VanVleet shot 40% from deep for Toronto in the 2019 Finals, scoring 14 points per game in the series after averaging just 11 that season.
VanVleet is a big-time player, and he’ll shine from deep once again.
