Month: November 2019

RAPTORS AT TRAIL BLAZERS PREGAME NOTES: “The Raptors have won seven of the past eight meetings with Portland, including four straight at home. The two teams split the season-series in 2018-19 with the home team winning both games. Siakam averaged 13.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in two games against Portland last season.”

RAPTORS NOTES

• The Toronto Raptors continue a five-game Western Conference trip (Nov. 8-16) Wednesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. This matches Toronto’s longest road trip of the season. The Raptors will also play five in a row on the road March 1-9. Toronto’s next home is Monday, Nov. 18 vs. Charlotte. The Raptors play eight of 13 games on the road in the month of November.

• The Raptors have won seven of the past eight meetings with Portland, including four straight at home. The two teams split the season-series in 2018-19 with the home team winning both games. Pascal Siakam averaged 13.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in two games against the Trail Blazers last season.

• Toronto was 11-4 on the road vs. Western Conference opponents last season. The Raptors are the only Eastern Conference team to finish with a +.500 record on the road against the West each of the past four seasons (2015-19). Since the start of the 2015-16 campaign, Toronto is 37-26 (.587) when facing a Western Conference opponent on the road.

• Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 16 points and 10 rebounds in 44 minutes Monday night against the Clippers. Siakam has now recorded a double-double in four straight games (Nov. 6-11) – the longest of his career. He is averaging 26.8 points and 11.0 rebounds during this stretch.

• Fred VanVleet ranks 14th in the NBA with a 3.21 assists-per-turnover ratio (77-to-24). VanVleet has had at least four more assists than turnovers in each of the last six games (Oct. 30 – Nov. 11). During this span, VanVleet has totaled 52 assists compared to just 12 turnovers.

• The Raptors rank first in the NBA in opponent field goal percentage (.406). Toronto has held its opponent below 40 per cent shooting from the floor four times this season.

• Chris Boucher led the reserves in scoring for the second straight game (Nov. 10-11) with 13 points in 22 minutes Nov. 11 at LA Clippers. Boucher matched his career high with 15 points Sunday against the Lakers. Boucher was named the 2018-19 NBA G League Most Valuable Player and NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player to win both awards in the same season.

• Pascal Siakam was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Nov. 4-10 – earning the honour for the second time in his career. Siakam averaged team highs of 30.3 points and 11.3 rebounds in three victories. He posted at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in all three games, and tied his career high with 44 points Nov. 8 at New Orleans.

• Kyle Lowry (distal phalanx fracture – left thumb) and Serge Ibaka (right ankle sprain) both sustained injuries Nov. 8 at New Orleans. Lowry will be re-evaluated in two weeks, while Ibaka is out indefinitely.

• Patrick McCaw underwent arthroscopic surgery Nov. 6 to remove a benign mass on the back of the knee. A timetable for McCaw’s return has not been established. He will be re-evaluated in four weeks.

• OG Anunoby left the game early in the first quarter and did not return Nov. 11 at LA Clippers after being poked in the right eye. • Has scored 10 or more points six times, including a season-high 21 points Nov. 8 at New Orleans. • Ranks fourth in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage (.528); has made multiple threes in five games.


POSSIBLE STARTERS

F-RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON #4
 • Recorded nine points and season highs of nine rebounds and three steals Nov. 11 at LA Clippers.
• Averaging 9.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 22.0 minutes over the last two games (Nov. 10-11).
• In 21 starts last season with Brooklyn, posted averages of 11.1 points and 6.0 rebounds in 26.8 minutes.

F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43

• Posted fourth straight double-double with team highs of 16 points and 10 rebounds Nov. 11 at LA Clippers.

• Has recorded four games of 30+ points; had five 30-point performances last season.

• Tied for eighth in the NBA in scoring (26.3) and fourth in minutes per game (36.2).

C – MARC GASOL #33

• Finished with eight points, five rebounds and a season high-tying five assists Nov. 11 at LA Clippers.

• Needs 14 points to reach 12,000 career points in the NBA.

• Has collected 10+ rebounds three times, including a season-high 12 rebounds Nov. 2 at Milwaukee.

G – NORMAN POWELL #24

• Contributed 15 points, four rebounds and two assists in second straight start Nov. 11 at LA Clippers.

• Averaging 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 31.5 minutes in two starts this season.

• Has scored in double figures in three straight games (Nov. 8-11); averaging 15.7 points during this stretch.

G – FRED VANVLEET #23

• Totaled 14 points, eight assists and three steals in a career-high 45 minutes Nov. 11 at LA Clippers.

• Has recorded at least five assists in all 10 games this season – the longest streak of his career.

• Ranks seventh in the NBA in assists (7.7) and second in minutes per game (38.2).


INJURY REPORT OG Anunoby (Right eye contusion) – Out. Serge Ibaka (Right ankle sprain) – Out Kyle Lowry (Distal phalanx fracture – left thumb) – Out Patrick McCaw (Left knee surgery) – Out

SERIES RECAP VS. PORTLAND

OVERALL

HOME ROAD

2018-19 1-1 1-0 0-1

ALL-TIME 17-28 10-13 7-15

LAST WIN: March 1, 2019 (119-117)

LAST ROAD WIN: October 30, 2017 (99-85)

LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +36, January 28, 1997

LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -24, January 4, 2000

LAST TIME VS. PORTLAND

GAME 63 – MARCH 1, 2019 TORONTO 119, PORTLAND 117

TORONTO — Kawhi Leonard scored the go-ahead basket with three seconds remaining and the Raptors held on to beat the Trail Blazers 119-117 … Leonard scored 38 points and Kyle Lowry had 19 points and 10 assists as the Raptors won for the ninth time in 10 games … Marc Gasol scored 19 points and Pascal Siakam had 16 for Toronto, which has won four straight home meetings with Portland and seven of the past eight overall … C.J. McCollum scored 35 points and matched a career best by making seven 3-pointers for Portland … Damian Lillard scored 24 points and Jake Layman had 13 for the Trail Blazers … Ahead 93-84 to begin the fourth, the Raptors missed nine consecutive field goal attempts, allowing Portland to close to within one, 95-94, on a 3-pointer by Lillard at 6:47 … Leonard ended Toronto’s drought with a layup, but the Raptors couldn’t hold the lead, and Lillard tied it 103-all with another 3 at 3:27 … Lillard made another tying 3 with 13 seconds left, but Leonard won it with his baseline jumper … By the time Portland inbounded the ball, there was barely enough time for a full-court heave … The Raptors connected on 11 of 17 shots in the first quarter and led 31-24 after one … Leonard scored 10 points in the second and Toronto led 61-54 at halftime.

NEXT GAME : At Dallas Mavericks Date: Saturday, November 16, 2019

TRAIL BLAZERS NOTES:

ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 28-17 IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 15-7 AT TORONTO : Trail Blazers lead, 13-10 LAST PORTLAND WIN: 128-122, 12/14/18 (Por.) LAST RAPTORS WIN: 119-117, 3/1/19 (Tor.) CURRENT WIN STREAK: One (Tor.)
• Wednesday’s game marks the first of two regular season games between the Trail Blazers and the Raptors during the 2019-20 season.

• LAST SEASON: Portland and Toronto split the season series in 2018-19, 1-1. • In two games against Toronto last season, CJ McCollum averaged 24.5 points (50.0% FG, 56.3% 3-PT, 100% FT), 2.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.00 steals.

• Damian Lillard averaged 24.0 points (59.3% FG, 66.7% 3-PT, 90.9% FT), 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists in two games against the Raptors during the 2018-19 season.

• In two games against the Trail Blazers last season, Pascal Siakam averaged 13.0 points (43.8% FG, 50.0% 3-PT, 80.0% FT), 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

In his lone game against Portland last season, Fred VanVleet recorded 21 points (711 FG, 3-5 3-PT, 4-5 FT) to go with four rebounds and eight assists.

CONNECTION: Toronto center Marc Gasol is the younger brother of Trail Blazers center Pau Gasol.

• CONNECTION: Trail Blazers center Pau Gasol and Raptors guard Kyle Lowry were teammates for one-plus season

LAST GAME STARTERS

Forward 24 Kent Bazemore 6-5 200

LAST GAME: Scored 12 points (3-8 FG, 1-4 3-PT, 5-6 FT) to go with fi ve rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 33 minutes … 2019-20 HIGHLIGHTS: Scored 14 points at Oklahoma City on Oct. 30 … Had 13 points, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks against Atlanta on Nov. 10.

8.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.5 apg

Forward 44 Mario Hezonja 6-8 220

5.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.2 apg

LAST GAME: Finished with two points (1-4 FG), three rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes … 2019-20 HIGHLIGHTS: Recorded 11 points and 12 rebounds against Philadelphia on Nov. 2 … Scored 11 points (4-6 FG, 3-5 3-PT) at Golden State on Nov 4.


Center 21 Hassan Whiteside 7-1 265

15.1 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 0.8 apg

LAST GAME: Had 17 points (7-9 FG, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds and one assist in 21 minutes … 2019-20 HIGHLIGHTS: Logged 16 points and 19 rebounds against Denver on Oct. 23 … Had 22 points and nine rebounds at Sacramento on Oct. 25.
Forward


Guard 3 CJ McCollum 6-3 190

20.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.0 apg

LAST GAME: Logged 24 points (11-21 FG, 1-5 3-PT, 1-4 FT), fi ve rebounds, one assist, and one block in 37 minutes … 2019-20 HIGHLIGHTS: Logged 35 points, six rebounds and four assists at Dallas on Oct. 27 … Scored 19 points at Sacramento on Oct. 25.


Guard 0 Damian Lillard 6-3 195

32.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 6.6 apg

LAST GAME: Recorded 27 points (6-10 FG, 2-5 3-PT, 13-14 FT), four rebounds, fi ve assists, two steals and one block in 38 minutes… 2019-20 HIGHLIGHTS: Scored 60 points and had fi ve assists vs. Brooklyn on Nov. 8 … Had 35 points and five assists at Sacramento on Oct. 25

LAST FIVE GAMES / NEXT FIVE GAMES

Mon. Nov. 4 GOLDEN STATE 127, Portland 118

Thu. Nov. 7 LA CLIPPERS 107, Portland 101

Fri. Nov. 8 Brooklyn 119, PORTLAND 115

Sun. Nov. 10 PORTLAND 124, Atlanta 113 (OT)

Tue. Nov. 12 SACRAMENTO 107, Portland 99

Wed. Nov. 13 Toronto 7:00 p.m.

Sat. Nov. 16 at San Antonio 5:30 p.m.

Mon. Nov. 18 at Houston 5:00 p.m

. Tue. Nov. 19 at New Orleans 5:00 p.m.

Thu. Nov. 21 at Milwaukee 5:00 p.m.





Delmarva Shorebirds named 2019 MiLB Team of the Year — The Baltimore Battery

As the Baltimore Orioles started the infamous rebuilding process, the organization’s focus has drifted towards prospects and the farm system. Most knew that the major league ball club would lose quite a bit this season, and when it comes to a rebuild, clubs look to build their minor league full of prospects in hopes of […]

Delmarva Shorebirds named 2019 MiLB Team of the Year — The Baltimore Battery

Ravens sign Domata Peko — ProFootballTalk

The Ravens have had a busy day. They already signed one free agent defensive tackle, coming to terms with Justin Ellis. They placed rookie defensive tackle Daylon Mack on injured reserve with a knee injury. Their other roster move, cutting returner Cyrus Jones, left them with 52 players on their roster. Michael Pierce‘s ankle injury…

Ravens sign Domata Peko — ProFootballTalk

Baker Mayfield wants crowd to be quiet when he has ball — ProFootballTalk

They’ve been playing football in Cleveland since 1946. Baker Mayfield, who was born in 1995, would like to tell the people there how to watch it right. Via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns quarterback said he’d prefer it if fans didn’t make themselves heard when he’s on the field, citing…

Baker Mayfield wants crowd to be quiet when he has ball — ProFootballTalk

Colin Kaepernick to hold workout for NFL teams — ProFootballTalk

Long gone and on the verge of becoming entirely forgotten, free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick will conduct this weekend what could be a last-ditch effort to get the NFL’s attention. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Kapernick will hold a private workout in Atlanta. The Saturday session will include on-field work and an interview. All clubs…

Colin Kaepernick to hold workout for NFL teams — ProFootballTalk

GRICHUK, McGUIRE, AND BICHETTE HEADLINE BLUE JAYS WINTERFEST

RANDAL GRICHUK, REESE MCGUIRE, AND BO BICHETTE HEADLINE FIRST WAVE OF BLUE JAYS JOINING FANS AT WINTER FEST JANUARY 18 & 19– Fans can purchase tickets for the third-annual event, plus autograph sessions and guided tours, beginning Monday, Nov. 18 –– Blue Jays alumni Roberto Alomar, Pat Hentgen, and Cito Gaston also make their Toronto return for Winter Fest –– Winter Tour presented by TD heads west to Calgary on January 10 & 11 – The Toronto Blue Jays today announce the first wave of players and alumni that will be joining fans in Toronto on Saturday, Jan. 18 and Sunday, Jan. 19 at Winter Fest presented by TD: outfielder Randal Grichuk, catcher Reese McGuire, and shortstop Bo Bichette. In addition, the Blue Jays are thrilled to welcome back World Series Champions Roberto Alomar, Pat Hentgen, and Cito Gaston. Additional players and alumni attending Winter Fest will be announced in the coming weeks. Thanks to the overwhelming excitement from Blue Jays fans, Winter Fest is returning for its third straight year, featuring two full days of festivities on Saturday, Jan. 18 and Sunday, Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Rogers Centre. Blue Jays fans can look forward to a winter weekend of family-friendly fun, including player, rookie, and alumni appearances; SN personalities; guided ballpark tours; self-guided tours, including the Blue Jays Clubhouse; Jr. Jays activations; a skating rink; live entertainment; historic memorabilia; and much more. Plus, the first 12,000 fans each day at Winter Fest will receive a Blue Jays Toque presented by TDupon entry into Rogers Centre. Tickets to Winter Fest go on sale beginning Monday, Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. ET atbluejays.com/winterfest. Fans are encouraged to purchase early as, new this year, tickets for player and alumni autograph sessions and guided tours will also be available starting November 18 on a first-come, first-served basis, including the production, roof, and broadcast tours. There are a limited number of tickets available for autographs and tours, so be sure to reserve your spot before they sell out! In addition, fans who purchase tickets to Winter Fest will obtain access to a special presale for 2020 Blue Jays single game tickets. Admission prices (per day)·       Adults – $20·       Youth (Ages 2 to 14) and seniors (65 and over) – $5o   Free for children under the age of 2·       2020 Season Ticket Members – $10*·       2020 Ticket Pack Members – $15*·       Autograph Session Ticket – $5**·       Guided Tour Ticket – $5** *Limit of four (4) tickets at discounted rate**Limit of two (2) tickets for Autograph Sessions and four (4) tickets for Guided Tours; a portion of proceeds benefit Jays Care Foundation The Blue Jays today also announce the team is headed west to Calgary on Friday, Jan. 10 and Saturday, Jan. 11 for the 10th-annual Winter Tour presented by TD. Featuring second baseman Cavan Biggio, first baseman Rowdy Tellez, pitcher Trent Thornton, and catcher Danny Jansen, the two-day event will have more opportunities for fans to connect with Canada’s baseball team, including an Ultimate Field Trip contest for local classes, a ticketed autograph session, a visit to Ronald McDonald House, and a ticketed Amateur Baseball Clinic. For more information on the team’s trip to Calgary, fans can visit bluejays.com/wintertour. Since 2011, Winter Tourpresented by TD has visited more than 20 Canadian cities across the country, including Vancouver, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal, Fredericton, Halifax, and St. John’s. This will be the second time the Blue Jays have visited Calgary (2015). 

T

RAPTORS’ PLUCKY EFFORT COMES UP SHORT AGAINST CLIPPERS

The Raptors lost OG Anunoby early in the game when he was poked in the eye inadvertently by Kawhi Leonard. Anunoby left the game bleeding and did not return. Raptors coach Nick Nurse was hit with a technical foul when he argued for a foul call.

From the Los Angeles Daily News

-By MIRJAM SWANSON | mswanson@scng.com | Southern California News Group
PUBLISHED: November 11, 2019 at 10:37 pm | UPDATED: November 11, 2019 at 11:30 pm
https://www.dailynews.com/2019/11/11/kawhi-leonard-clippers-beat-raptors-but-lose-landry-shamet-to-injury/

LOS ANGELES — In a knock-down, drag-out defensive test of mettle, Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers took a proud champion’s best shot and withstood it, defeating the Toronto Raptors 98-88 on Monday.

Leonard stepped on the court with Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet and crew for the first time since June 13, when they won an NBA title together.

This time, of course, Leonard was working against the guys with Raptors across their chest, having departed in free agency, ending months of speculation by choosing to come home to Southern California and play for the Clippers rather than run it back with Toronto.

Leonard told the Staples Center crowd, split in its allegiances Monday, that it meant something to face his former teammates: “Definitely. Got to know the guys inside and out, on and off the court. We had fun, it was fun to compete against them tonight.”

His presence in L.A. made the Clippers immediate favorites among oddsmakers and league general managers – but Monday it was the Raptors who played, fittingly, like champions the past two days, splitting a tough Staples Center back to back despite two of their starters being sidelined by injury.

On Sunday, Toronto (7-3) stormed past the Lakers 113-104, disrupting their seven-game winning streak and shutting out former Raptor Danny Green.

On Monday, the Raptors took it to Leonard and his new company, playing swarming, relentless defense and making L.A. work for the win before an enthusiastic crowd split in its allegiances.

Toronto trailed by only four points on Chris Boucher’s putback with 1:42 left, but then Leonard’s ninth assist set up a flying Montrezl Harrell dunk followed by a pair of Leonard makes at the line with 43 seconds to go effectively closed the door.

“They’re a confident team,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said before the game. “I call it the championship rub. You win the title, you can lose five guys … and guys believe they can win because they have won. They know how to win together, so you see them playing that way as a group, you can’t break that.”

The victory was costly for the Clippers (7-3), who lost starting shooting guard Landry Shamet in the third quarter, when the team said he sprained his left ankle while defending Fred VanVleet, his former college teammate, on a drive to the hoop. Shamet, who did not put any weight on his left foot while he was helped to the locker room, left the locker room on crutches after the game and will undergo an MRI in the morning.

Toronto led 78-73 entering the fourth quarter, when Leonard had been hot this season, averaging a league-best 13.5 points per game entering Monday.