Matt Shantz
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shantz.bsky.social
Matt Shantz
@shantz.bsky.social
Raptors fan, basketball lover, tea drinker, cyclist. Former writer for Hoops Habit & Raptors Republic.

I apologize in advance for my puns.
Important content alert.
Here are my top 10 dogs carrying big sticks!
November 25, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Reposted by Matt Shantz
Final 3:30 of 2nd Q, Raps outscored Cavs 15-4
Final 5:40 of 3rd Q, Raps outscored Cavs 15-7
Final 4:30 of 4th Q, Raps outscored Cavs 7-0

IQ+Shead lineups to close 2nd and 4th. Scottie joined Ingram + bench to end 3rd

37-11 over crucial stretches in a game the Raptors won by 11
November 25, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Reposted by Matt Shantz
ANOTHER great game! What a close out. Loved JaKobe in that starting spot, and Shead as the closer. Tough games for a few guys but Ingram carried and the defence was pretty strong throughout.
November 25, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Reposted by Matt Shantz
As role distributions for the Raptors go, "Hey Brandon, create our looks in the half-court, and hey Scottie, go just kind of be everywhere else" is pretty neat
November 25, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Cavs are now 12-7 on the season. 3 of those losses are to the Raptors.
November 25, 2025 at 2:26 AM
The level of fear Jamison Battle's shot inspires is a joy to behold.
November 25, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Closing the first half on a 13-2 run. That's some beautiful Raptors basketball.
November 25, 2025 at 1:07 AM
I'm finally getting to start season 2 of A Man on the Inside.

Let's ride!!!!
November 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Looking at the forecast today may be my last biking day of the season. And if that's the case, we went out with a bang.
November 24, 2025 at 4:25 PM
You know it's an actual fun fact when Keerthika doesn't start her post with "Fun fact." So this...this is a fun fact!
Hello, good morning, the Raptors have the best halfcourt offensive rating in the NBA.
Hello, good morning, the Raptors have the third-best halfcourt offence in the NBA.
November 24, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Reposted by Matt Shantz
Loved that game. Frustrating, undersized, no Jak, lost RJ, Nets wouldn't go away, missed looks, offence in the mud... and then just top notch finding a way late, led by Ingram - midrange jumper, two passes out of doubles for threes, 8-0 run, game.

Excellent stuff against a feisty opponent.
November 24, 2025 at 3:01 AM
I think I was among the more optimistic Raptors fans heading into the season, but seeing them be a team that just professionally works over teams has been an absolute joy to watch.
November 22, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Reposted by Matt Shantz
Four assists in five minutes for Shead, who's in the 100th percentile when it comes to AST-USG ratio this season (per Cleaning The Glass)
November 22, 2025 at 1:15 AM
The Power of FRIENDSHIP!!!
Blue Jays=went to the world series
Raptors=currently 2nd in the east
Maple Leafs=2nd last in their division

Friendship, buy-in and actual commraderie matters. It’s a team game, and players that play together, win together.
November 21, 2025 at 5:51 PM
I could not be more excited for this!
Hi, the new season of “A Man on the Inside,” a TV show I worked on, hits Netflix today. Ted Danson is in it! Also Mary Steenburgen, Gary Cole, Max Greenfield, David Strathairn, Lisa Gilroy, Stephanie Beatriz, Jason Mantzoukas, and many more funny people. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
November 20, 2025 at 5:45 PM
This clip includes Quickley, Dick, Mamu, and RJ. Not exactly the Raptors murderers row of defenders, but everyone top to bottom is working their butt off and buying in.
Look at the activity from the Toronto Raptors on defense. Good switches, good denials, good communication.
November 20, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Reposted by Matt Shantz
The Raptors have played 10 of 15 games on the road & 10 of 15 vs. teams who currently own winning records, and here they are at 10-5 with top-10 marks on both ends of the court. They've caught some breaks with banged up opponents, but take nothing away from them. Very impressive
November 20, 2025 at 2:22 AM
One makes or misses Mamu is committed to running the floor like a maniac. He applies so much pressure. Effort is a skill.
November 20, 2025 at 12:43 AM
The Raptors black alternate jersey is soooo good, but combined with the Hornets teal and the purple floor created such a beautiful visual last night.
November 18, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Four teams from the West.

Raptors alone from the East.
Fun fact: the Raptors are one of five teams to rank top-10 in offence & defence rating this season, joining the Thunder, Nuggets, Spurs & Rockets.

8th in offensive rating, 10th in defensive rating.
November 18, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Sitting third in the East while having played 9-of-14 games on the road to start the year is pretty good stuff.
November 18, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Reposted by Matt Shantz
Hooooly crap what a great ending! Huge clutch blocks from Scottie and BI. Ingram was huge all night.

RJ has been playing poorly lately and this one was brutal from him - but once again he woke up right at the end of the game and made some big plays.

Needed to win, got the win. Check.
November 18, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Reposted by Matt Shantz
Ingram kaulked that joint back
November 18, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Is this also Willie Green's fault? Or are the players protesting?
After eight minutes, the Pelicans are losing by 23 points and have ZERO rebounds.
November 18, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Sean has just written Scottie's next Subway ad.
imagine trying to do anything... shooting, passing, dribbling, eating a sandwich... near scottie barnes and his limbs
November 18, 2025 at 1:39 AM