The mid-range hard-hitting master returns to the Raptors? Ingram scored 37 points, reminiscent of Kawhi back then.

Translator's Note: The original article was published in The Athletic. The data in the article are as of the time of the original article (November 25, local time). The dates and times involved are all local time.

There may be some incompatibility between Brandon Ingram's playing style and the team's tactical philosophy declared by Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic. Ingram sometimes sticks to the ball and dribbles too much, while the head coach promotes quick decision-making and passing the ball.

The reality of the NBA is that you want your team to be as versatile as possible. Sometimes when you're in a back-to-back game, or you're in a slump in the season, or the three-point shot just isn't falling, you want that one guy to step up and fix the problem.

So, on Monday night, Brandon Ingram scored 37 points — but he took 30 shots.

"I was actually looking at the statistics just now and thinking, 'Damn, I took 30 shots?' But I didn't feel it at the time." Ingram said after the Raptors defeated the Cavaliers 110-99. After this game, the Raptors achieved eight consecutive victories, their longest winning streak since their eight-game winning streak in early 2022. Ingram said: "50% shooting rate. No matter what the team needs in every game, I am willing to do it."

Don't feel that you have taken so many shots? This is the best news for the Raptors. Ingram scored 37 points, his highest score since February 5, 2024, when he scored 41 points against the Raptors while still playing for the Pelicans. Ingram was very efficient in that game because he clocked out in the third quarter. Not so in this game. But for Ingram to be able to shoulder this old-school offensive burden early in the season after missing the final four months of last season with an ankle injury is a victory in itself.

In the middle of the four-game schedule in six days, the Raptors need Ingram's scoring, regardless of whether the scene looks good. Although starter RJ Barrett's status is listed as a day-to-day observation, he still missed this game due to a knee sprain. Ingram's teammates shot just 5 of 25 from 3-point range. The overall operation of the team is not smooth.

Of course, this is not the most beautiful offensive performance the Raptors have played. But it was a win, and one that the Raptors might not have won without Ingram over the past few years.

"I don't think there's any risk in giving him the ball more. I think just watch him attack and we have to defend," Raptors guard Jamal Shedd said. "I think when he gets into that groove, he's proven it time and time again. Not just today. That's been true throughout his career. Give him the ball and he's not going to just shoot the ball every time. But they didn't double him tonight."

That's not to say the Raptors have reached a perfect balance right now. Ingram's usage rate is down from his peak with the Pelicans, but when he dominates the offense, the ball rotation -- and crucially, player movement -- stalls at times. Ingram mentioned that his timing and game feel aren't quite where he wants them to be yet, partly because of himself. In the past five games, he has provided a total of 20 assists, but also made 20 turnovers.

However, to solve some of these problems, he needs to be more active without the ball.

"He is the kind of player that once he gets into a state, the whole team can sense it, and we need this kind of performance," Rajakovic said. "This is good for us. At the same time, we have to stick to our principles, make the right decisions, keep the ball moving, and create opportunities for him in this system."

The pace of the game will slow down at times, especially in the fourth quarter. On a drive that was about to go nowhere, Ingram saved the Raptors with a silky step-back three-pointer, exactly the kind of offense the Raptors wanted to avoid. Even if Ingram focuses on the mid-range, they also hope to seize the opportunity to prevent the defense from causing unexpected trouble.

However, these things take time. The Raptors have one of the best half-court offenses in the league so far, in part because they have an explosive player from the mid-range. Before the game against the Cavaliers, Ingram shot 51.7% from 10 feet (about 3 meters) to the three-point line. Not since Kawhi Leonard had that forgettable year in Toronto has anyone on the Raptors been able to reach this level.

No, Ingram is not as good as that version of Leonard. But just by digesting those possessions, he freed up Scottie Barnes to finish time and time again in transition and at critical moments of the game. Barnes had 18 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists on Monday while taking less than half as many shots as Ingram. It's no coincidence that Barnes played the most comprehensive performance of his career because of Ingram's presence.

Ingram is not just taking crazy shots. He grabbed 7 rebounds, all of them defensive rebounds, helping the team make the Cavaliers have no achievements on the offensive rebounds.

"This is one of the things I wanted to do with them last year," Ingram said. "Seeing how hard they worked on the defensive end, I wanted to get involved and make sure we maintained the same defensive intensity. I also put my The ability to bring it into the game, fight for rebounds, be able to read situations on the off-ball side, and continue to improve my on-ball defense."

At present, it seems that Ingram has integrated well enough, which has brought the Raptors to a height that they have not reached in the past few years. In a few months, outside assessments of this team's potential may change.

Author: Eric Koreen

Translator: GWayNe