Cory Joseph emerges as key contributor for Raptors

On a night when the Toronto Raptors shot just 41.1 from the field, a productive game by Cory Joseph was essential to Wednesday's 106-103 overtime victory over the Orlando Magic.

The 24-year-old finished with 19 points on 9-of-11 shooting, making a difference on both of ends of the floor as he made several key stops down the stretch.

After signing a four-year, $30-million contract in the summer, Joseph continues to earn his keep. His counting stats aren't eye-popping - 8.4 points and 2.9 assists per game - but his efficiency on offense and defense make him one of the premier backup point guards in the league.

Joseph's value is better shown from an advanced metric perspective: He ranks second on the team in net rating and Toronto performs 5.6 points per 100 possessions better when he's on the court.

After spending his first four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs under the tutelage of Tony Parker - one of the most efficient point guards of his era - Joseph has mimicked his approach, concentrating almost exclusively on high-percentage shots.

The Ontario native is shooting 44.3 percent from the field in 2015-16, which would put him in the top 10 among point guards if he qualified. The mark could rise by season's end, given his 46.7 career shooting percentage.

While Joseph saw his minutes diminish during the latter half of December - due to both a dip in his shooting and the hot play of Terrence Ross - he's responded in 2016, having hit 50 percent of his attempts so far in January.

The former Texas Longhorn isn't someone the Raptors should rely on to carry their offense for large stretches, but there's no question his productivity is one of the reasons they sit second in the Eastern Conference at 25-15.