In Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Toronto Raptors evened the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, thanks in large part to a stellar performance from DeMar DeRozan. The All-Star guard shot 13-of-21 from the field, finishing with 32 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists—firmly answering his critics after a rocky start to the 2016 playoffs.

Throughout the earlier rounds, DeRozan had been under heavy scrutiny for his erratic shooting. At times, it seemed as though every game came with a bricklaying session, as missed shots piled up and doubts grew louder. Yet when the stakes rose, so did DeRozan. Now on the big stage of the Eastern Finals, he’s reminded fans and pundits alike why the Raptors’ backcourt is anything but overrated.

In the first two games of the series, DeRozan posted solid numbers—18 and 22 points respectively—while avoiding the shooting slumps that plagued him earlier. His rhythm clearly caught Cleveland’s attention, as the Cavaliers assigned none other than LeBron James to guard him in Game 4. While James did create some headaches for DeRozan with his physical defense, it wasn’t enough to shut him down.

Back on home court, DeRozan responded in emphatic fashion. He dropped 32 points with precision, leading the Raptors to a crucial win and proving the so-called “trash brothers” label wrong. Despite being outsized by LeBron—who is taller and stronger—DeRozan remained composed. In one notable play, he was blocked by James on a drive and accidentally knocked the ball out of bounds. But instead of letting frustration take over, DeRozan kept his cool.

Using screens effectively, he moved off the ball, creating space and hunting for better matchups. When LeBron was guarding him one-on-one, DeRozan didn’t force the issue—instead, he sought switches through smart teamwork and struck when the moment was right.

It was this savvy approach that allowed him to rack up 32 points despite Cleveland’s defensive focus. In the previous game, it was Bismack Biyombo who emerged as the surprise hero. But in Game 4, the victory rested squarely on the shoulders of Toronto’s star guards. Kyle Lowry added 35 points of his own, marking the first time both players scored 30+ in the same playoff game this season.

The fourth quarter was a battleground. One of the defining moments came when Lowry stole the ball from LeBron and drew a foul. But DeRozan wasn’t just a bystander. He poured in 12 points in the final period alone. When James dunked to give the Cavaliers a late lead, it was DeRozan who responded with six straight points to swing momentum back. And when Kyrie Irving nailed a clutch three-pointer, threatening a comeback, DeRozan answered immediately with a strong drive to the basket, stretching the lead back to four.

Over the past two playoff games, DeRozan has averaged 32 points while shooting a red-hot 55% from the field. At a time when many had written off the Raptors, DeRozan quietly made his return to form—stronger, smarter, and more focused than ever. Sometimes, the best way to answer criticism is to let your game do the talking—and DeRozan just shouted back loud and clear.