The Nets managed to limit Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry on offense, while Caris LeVert and Joe Harris led Brooklyn to a win.
Nets end Raptors’ winning streak with double-digit win — Nets Wire
INJURY REPORT AT 1:30 P.M. WEDNESDAY
Brooklyn Nets Durant, Kevin Out Injury/Illness – Right Achilles; Rehab
Irving, Kyrie Out Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Sprain
Martin, Jeremiah Out G League – Two-Way
Musa, Dzanan Out G League – On Assignment
Toronto Raptors Brissett, Oshae Out G League – Two-Way
Gasol, Marc Out Injury/Illness – Left Hamstring; Tightness
Hernandez, Dewan Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprain
Ibaka, Serge Questionable Injury/Illness – Illness; Flu-like symptoms
Powell, Norman Out Injury/Illness – Left Finger; Fourth; metacarpal – fracture
Watson, Paul Out G League – Two-Way
(16-36) MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES, 126 VS. (40-14) TORONTO RAPTORS, 137 SCOTIABANK ARENA MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020
TORONTO RAPTORS QUOTES
NICK NURSE (HEAD COACH)
On winning going away … Well, first of all it didn’t feel like a win going away for quite a long time. There was a lot of energy in the game. I think we are getting everybody’s A-plus game. They were really good I thought for a lot of stretches and we just had to try and figure some things out and as you saw we had a lot of unconnected defence for a lot of the game, but the chemistry between those guys that were out there started to build. Our switching got a little bit better, we stopped all the backcutting and miscommunication on some of that stuff for a nice stretch there in the third and fourth quarter, got it under control.
On OG Anunoby … He was really good, I thought his decisions were really, really good tonight. The only questionable decision I thought he made, one time he was open for a corner three and he pump-faked, there was nobody there and he went to left and made it anyway. So it ended up being a good decision as well. He was good defensively, we put him all over the place. We had him on (Karl-Anthony) Towns a lot and he was doing a good job, he had to switch out on (D’Angelo) Russell because of that. He was just making some really good reads. I thought those guys got some hands on some balls. I thought Rondae (Hollis-Jefferson) came up with a couple huge steals as well, but OG had a pretty complete game out there, that’s why we let him run, what was it 15 or 16 straight there through the quarter.
On what you did on D’Angelo Russell in the fourth quarter … We really tried to press up on him and make him drive it. We just sat down, sat back a little too much and he is going to make those no matter where he is. Then we did try and trap him out of the timeouts a lot when we got the right matchup on him and I think we turned him over twice out of time outs for layups, which was huge.
FRED VANVLEET (16 points, seven assists, three steals) Did you think you’d have to play centre tonight? I wasn’t expecting that. When we got here we were a little shocked to hear about Serge, but it happens. At this point we are used to having guys out, unfortunately. Like I said before, next man up. I thought Rondae did an amazing job and I think it helped us in the second half, especially when we were able to switch on the fly. Do you guys take for granted your ability to ability to adapt? Probably, I think we’re used to it at this point. I think we can get a little lackadaisical at times, as you can see, I think that it is a huge tool for us to be able to use in certain situations. I think we realize when we play against other teams how we are able to take advantage on the other end. We probably do take it for granted to answer your question. I think it’s something that keeps developing and it’s something we have in our back pocket when we need to.
How do you execute on both ends when you enter a game knowing there is a significant size differential? Just effort. That’s it. Once we calmed down on our defensive schemes I thought we were in a good position to get most of the boards and obviously we got a few offensive rebounds, so that helps. Give those guys credit in there, Rondae, Chris, Pascal, Kyle, OG. Give these guys credit, they go up and get them and battle with someone like Towns who is a really good offensive rebounder. They have a lot of corner crashers from the wing coming in. I think we did a good job of putting bodies on them and cleaning the glass.
Does the streak help keep the team focus as you approach the break? Yes, it’s fun. I think it’s at a good time. At this time of the season people are looking ahead to the break and it’s one of those weird points in the season where you have to find some inspiration and energy sometimes. I think to be rolling the way we are right now it gives us a little extra boost. For the most part we’ve been coming out engaged. Tonight we weren’t ourselves in the first half. Obviously we cleaned it up in the third quarter and we are trying to keep it going as long as we can. I think it’s in the back of everyone’s mind.
PASCAL SIAKAM (34 points, six rebounds, five assists)
How big of a challenge is it for the team to find out about injuries just before the game? It’s not a good thing, but it feels like another day. Something happening and we’ve got to figure it out. We’ve got guys stepping up. It was a great job by Rondae, OG to be able to guard those guys like Karl-Anthony Towns. It was good for us. It speaks to the character of the team. We’ve got guys ready. They can’t wait to come in and get an opportunity to play. Once they get it they go at it.
Do you feel more prepared for these challenges than you were at the beginning of the year? Probably, I think you can say that. We’ve never had our entire team for a while. We have had to adjust and figure it out. I’m sure guys now know that you have to be ready every day because you don’t know what’s going to happen. Today you might be sitting on the bench and the next day you may be starting. That just has to be the mentality and I think everyone knows that.
Does it feel like you’re on a streak? Yes, I mean obviously I see it every time I’m on Instagram or something. For us it’s about every single day coming in and taking every game one at a time, making sure we come out and execute every single game and have a game plan.
Do you find the confidence of the team is growing in its ability to adapt to different challenges? I think we have a system and we trust that the coaches have a game plan that we are going to execute. If it’s not working we trust that we can adjust on the fly and try something else. I think one thing that we’ve been doing is trying different things out. We have a lot of things we can throw at you. We trust that it’s going to work and if it doesn’t work go to the next thing.
RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON (20 points, six rebounds, three steals)
How much energy do you get when you find out you’ll be starting? I try to stay with the same mindset and be locked into what I have to do. I know I’m a defender. I know I can bring energy and bring that spark to the guys. I just try to lock into that at the end of the day.
How much different is it as a defender when you’re guarding a big man? It’s definitely different. The battle itself, holding your own ground, but they’ve got five inches on me, four inches on me, 30 pounds on me or so. It’s definitely a battle, but it’s about being mentally tough, having that resiliency. Coming from where I come from I was born with it, inherited it. Chester, PA, thank you. I love a challenge at the end of the day.
(16-36) MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES, 126 VS. (40-14) TORONTO RAPTORS, 137 SCOTIABANK ARENA MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES QUOTES
RYAN SAUNDERS (HEAD COACH)
What were the Raptors doing down the stretch to make it so difficult? A lot of credit to them, and that organization. There’s a reason they have won 15 games in a row. They play with a sense of urgency and they have a great identity about them. I thought they got physical with us; some things didn’t go our way. They were able to force some turnovers that got them in the open court and kind of broke it open a little bit. I’m really proud of this group and the way these guys did keep fighting back, even that second unit they were the ones who really pulled us into the game late in that third and early in that fourth.
Even in the loss, you like the energy and effort you saw throughout? Yes, I do. I feel really good about us going home, having a solid day tomorrow and also a good game on Wednesday, and then using the break to recharge and also, evaluate and really dissect what we can do moving forward.
With all the new guys coming together, do you expect the turnovers? We knew that, we kind of said that. Against the Clippers, we did a great job of taking care of the ball, which you almost expect to happen some more turnovers against a team like the Clippers, and then you play a team like Toronto; they’re a good test for us. The one thing that Toronto does such a great job of is your turnovers are as good as twos and threes for them, the way they push the ball and the way they can score in the open court. So I think that’s where it hurt us even more.
KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS (23 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists)
On tonight’s game… I thought we played well. We played well throughout the game, obviously, they’ve won 14 games in a row and they’re hot. They made some shots obviously, but I thought we stuck right with them. We showed a lot of toughness. We showed a lot of grit. No matter what the game threw at us, we found ways to get back and stay close, get the lead, or whatever the case may be. They’re a good team and we played hard. We played together and we gritted and grinded, you know, we just didn’t come out with a win tonight. I’m proud of our guys for playing as hard as we did. I think we pushed them to a lot of brinks tonight and we made them earn it.
On playing with D’Angelo Russell… It was a lot of fun… You could see how much we were talking to each other and we were just hyping each other up and everything. That’s my brother, man. I told him that I don’t know if he’ll ever have a teammate that loves him as much as I do and have his back more than I do. I’d die for that man and I know he would do the same for me.
D’ANGELO RUSSELL (22 points, five assists, one steal)
How did it feel playing tonight? It was great. (I’m) super excited about this group. You know what Karl does, what he brings to the table, but just the group in general, the coaching staff, I look forward to this challenge of figuring out what we can do to get better every day.
How long do you think it will take you to learn plays and terminology? There’s no right answer to that. I think just in general our pace of what we want to work at on the offensive end (and) the defensive end … The quicker we get in film and get some games under our belt to be better; I think that’s on our time.
What do you think the biggest challenge is coming into a game like this with a new team? That’s a great team over there. They’re obviously capable of doing great things. Nick Nurse is a great coach, but in general I think we’re worried about us. The more we can get some games under our belt and just dissect the film from being better individually; I think it’ll help our team chemistry as a w
FINAL SCORE: TORONTO RAPTORS 137, MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES 126 DATE: FEBRUARY 10, 2020 ATTENDANCE: 19,800 (Sellout)
FINAL SCORE RECORD HIGH POINTS HIGH REBOUNDS HIGH ASSISTS Minnesota 126 16-36 Towns – 23 Towns – 10 Towns – 7
Toronto 137 40-14 Siakam – 34 Anunoby – 12 Lowry – 11
KEY RUN Leading 112-108 with 6:42 remaining in the fourth, Toronto went on a 20-5 run to push the lead to 19 with 3:07 left … The Raptors led by double digits the rest of the way.
KEY STAT Toronto shot .573 (51-for-89) from the field, including .643 (27-for-42) in the first half … The Raptors improved to a perfect 15-0 this season when they shoot +.500 from the floor.
RAPTORS NOTES: • With the win, Toronto improves to 40-14 this season and 21-7 at home … The Raptors have won five straight games vs. Minnesota and swept the season-series for the second straight year … Toronto’s last game before the All-Star break is Wednesday night at Brooklyn. • The Raptors won their franchise record 15th straight game (Jan. 15 – Feb. 10) – the second longest win streak in the NBA this season … Toronto has won six in a row at home during this stretch. • The Raptors have now won 16 consecutive games at home vs. Minnesota … The Timberwolves’ last victory at Toronto was Jan. 21, 2004. • Toronto’s 40-14 record after 54 games is the best in franchise history … The Raptors have reached 40 wins prior to the All-Star break for the third straight year. • The Raptors outscored Minnesota 60-38 in the paint and 35-10 on the fast-break. • Kyle Lowry recorded his 10th double-double of the season, finishing with 27 points and 11 assists in 40 minutes … Lowry has a double-double in each of his last three games played (Feb. 5-10). • OG Anunoby posted his fifth double-double of the season with a career-high 25 points and a career high-tying 12 rebounds in 36 minutes … Toronto is 4-0 this year when Anunoby scores 20 or more. • In his third start of the year, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson scored a season-high 21 points in 34 minutes. • All five Toronto starters scored in double digits, combing for a franchise record 123 points. • The Raptors had five players score double figures – Pascal Siakam (34), Lowry (27), Anunoby (25), Hollis-Jefferson (21) and Fred VanVleet (16) … Toronto had four players score 20 or more points in the same game for just the ninth time in team history.
TIMBERWOLVES NOTES: • With the loss, Minnesota falls to 16-36 on the season and 9-17 on the road … The Timberwolves have dropped seven straight games on the road (Jan. 7 – Feb. 10) … Minnesota’s final game before the All-Star break is Wednesday night when they host Charlotte. • D’Angelo Russell finished with 22 points in 32 minutes in his debut with Minnesota. • The Timberwolves had five players score in double digits – Karl Anthony-Towns (23), Russell (22), Juancho Hernangomez (15), Malik Beasley (15) and Jarrett Culver (15) … Anthony-Towns pulled down 10 rebounds for his fifth straight double-double and 24th of the season.
What’s happening right now in Toronto is pretty remarkable. Has there ever been a Toronto team in any sport like these Raptors? Smart, talented, incredibly deep, entertaining and grounded with tons of personality? And, oh, yeah, all they do is win, win, win no matter what. Last year’s ride was a blast to cover. This…
Woz Blog: Fans should really enjoy this relentless Raptors team — Toronto Sun
FINAL SCORE: TORONTO RAPTORS 119, BROOKLYN NETS 118
DATE: FEBRUARY 8, 2020 ATTENDANCE: 19,800 (Sellout)
FINAL SCORE RECORD HIGH POINTS HIGH REBOUNDS HIGH ASSISTS Brooklyn 118 23-28 LeVert – 37 Jordan – 14 Dinwiddie – 11
Toronto 119 39-14 VanVleet – 29 Davis ll – 8 VanVleet – 6
KEY RUN
Trailing 36-33 early in the second quarter, Toronto went on 14-2 run to lead by nine with 7:15 left in the half … The Raptors never trailed the rest of the way … Pascal Siakam made the game-winning free throw with 22.9 seconds left in the fourth and Caris LeVert missed a pull-up jumper in the final seconds.
KEY STAT
Toronto tied a season-low with just seven turnovers and committed none in the fourth quarter … The Raptors have now finished with a plus turnover differential in each of their last 14 games (Jan. 15 – Feb. 8) … Toronto has a +72-turnover differential during this stretch (185-to-257).
RAPTORS NOTES:
• With the win, Toronto improves to 39-14 this season and 20-7 at home … Since the start of the 201516 campaign, the Raptors have won 18-of-19 games vs. the Nets, including the first three meetings this season … Toronto’s next game is Monday night when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
• The Raptors won their franchise record 14th straight game tonight (Jan. 15 – Feb. 8) – the second longest win streak in the NBA this season.
• Toronto’s 39-14 record after 53 games is the best in franchise history.
• The Raptors outscored Brooklyn 52-42 in the paint and 25-8 on the fast-break.
• Terence Davis ll scored 20 points in 30 minutes in his second start of the season … Davis has now scored 10+ points in four straight games (Feb. 2-8), averaging 19.8 points during this stretch.
• Matt Thomas scored a career-high 15 points, including 11 in the second quarter, in 22 minutes.
• The Raptors had five players score double figures – Fred VanVleet (29), Pascal Siakam (20), Davis ll (20), Thomas (15) and Serge Ibaka (12).
NETS NOTES:
• With the loss, Brooklyn falls to 23-28 on the season and 8-16 on the road … The Nets have dropped three in a row (Jan. 26 – Feb. 7) on the road … Brooklyn’s next game is Monday night when they visit the Indiana Pacers.
• Caris LeVert scored a career-high 37 points (12-18 FG, 6-7 3PT, 7-7 FT) in 33 minutes … LeVert has scored 20+ points in three straight games (Feb. 3-8), averaging 29.7 during this span.
• Spencer Dinwiddie posted his sixth double-double of the season with 21 points and a game-high 11 assists in 36 minutes.
• DeAndre Jordan recorded his eighth double-double of the season, and sixth as a reserve, with 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds in 29 minutes.
• The Nets had five players score in double digits – LeVert (37), Dinwiddie (21), Taurean Prince (17), Jordan (15) and Joe Harris (11).
GAME #53 – TORONTO RAPTORS (38-14) vs. BROOKLYN NETS (23-27) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2020 – 7:30 P.M. (ET) – SCOTIABANK ARENA TV: TSN – RADIO: TSN 1050 TORONTO
INJURY REPORT AT 1:30 P.M. SATURDAY
BKN@TOR
Brooklyn Nets Durant, Kevin Out Injury/Illness – Right Achilles; Rehab
Irving, Kyrie Out Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Sprain
Martin, Jeremiah Out G League – Two-Way
Pinson, Theo Out G League – On Assignment
Temple, Garrett Available Injury/Illness – Left Over Eye; Stitches
Toronto Raptors Brissett, Oshae Out G League – Two-Way
Gasol, Marc Out Injury/Illness – Left Hamstring; Tightness
Hernandez, Dewan Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprain
Lowry, Kyle Questionable Injury/Illness – Neck; Whiplash
Powell, Norman Out Injury/Illness – Left Finger; Fourth: fracture – metacarpal
RAPTORS NOTES
• The Toronto Raptors host the Brooklyn Nets at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night. This is the third of four meetings between the two teams this season, with Toronto winning the first two games. The Raptors
have won 17 of the last 18 matchups against the Nets, including nine straight games at home. Kyle Lowry is averaging 21.5 points and 5.5 assists in two games vs. Brooklyn this season. The Raptors play at Brooklyn on Wednesday to wrap-up play before the NBA All-Star break.
• The Raptors won their franchise record 13th straight game (Jan. 15 – Feb. 7) Friday night at Indiana. Over the last 13 games, the Raptors are averaging 120.2 points and shooting .501 (576-1149) from the field,
including .399 (188-471) from three point range. Toronto also has a +70 (178-to-248) turnover differential during this stretch and leads the NBA in points per game off turnovers (23.7). The Raptors’ win streak is the longest in Toronto sports history (NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS and CFL).
• Rookie Terence Davis ll led the reserves in scoring for the third consecutive game (Feb. 2-7) with 17 points in 25 minutes Friday night against the Pacers. Davis has scored in double digits each of the last
three games, averaging 19.7 points (third on the team) during this span. He is the only Raptor to appear in every game this season and currently ranks second among all rookies with a .420 three-point percentage.
• Serge Ibaka led the Raptors with 22 points and 10 rebounds for his team-high 15th double-double of the season Friday night. Ibaka has scored in double figures in nine straight games (Jan. 22 – Feb. 7). He is averaging 20.1 points (second on the team) and shooting .605 (75-for-124) from the field during this
stretch. Ibaka is the first player in franchise history to make at least six shots from the field while making at least half of his field-goal attempts in nine consecutive contests.
• On Friday night, Kyle Lowry passed Vince Carter (9,420) for third on the Raptors’ all-time scoring list. DeMar DeRozan is the franchise’s all-time leader in points (13,296), followed by Chris Bosh (10,275).
• The Raptors have not lost games on consecutive days since Dec. 26–27, 2017 (at Dallas and Oklahoma City). Toronto has played 29 pairs of games on back-to-back days since then (not including the current
back-to-back set), sweeping both games 11 times and splitting 18 times.
• Nick Nurse and his staff will coach Team Giannis at the 2020 NBA All-Star Game in Chicago. Nurse will become just the third active head coach to coach in the All-Star Game in their first or second year as an NBA head coach, joining Steve Kerr (first year) and Mike Budenholzer (second year) – both in 2015.
• Kyle Lowry has been named a reserve for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. Lowry will participate in his sixth All-Star Game (2015-20), the most in franchise history. He is the first player in NBA history to be selected to at least six All-Star teams after not being picked in any of his first eight seasons. Lowry will join forward Pascal Siakam in Chicago, who was voted a starter. Siakam’s selection extends a streak of six consecutive years that a Raptor has been voted into the starting five – Lowry (2015, 2016), DeMar DeRozan (2017,
2018) and Kawhi Leonard (2019). It also marks the fifth straight year (2016-20) two players will represent Toronto in the All-Star Game.
POSSIBLE STARTERS
G – OG ANUNOBY #3
MIN: 29.0 REB: 5.3 AST: 1.5 STL: 1.1 TO: 1.2 BLK: 0.7 PTS: 10.2
• Totaled 16 points, three rebounds and a career high-tying five steals in 28 minutes Feb. 7 at Indiana.
• Toronto is 20-4 this season when Anunoby scores 10 or more points.
• Averaging a career-high 10.2 points and shooting a career-best .492 from the field this season.
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 34.9 REB: 7.6 AST: 3.4 STL: 1.0 TO: 2.5 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 23.5
• Finished with 15 points, four rebounds and one block in 35 minutes Feb. 7 at Indiana.
• Ranks 15th in the NBA in scoring (23.5) and 12th in +/- rating (+305).
• Has scored 30+ points 12 times; had five 30-point performances in 80 games played last season.
C – SERGE IBAKA #9
MIN: 26.9 REB: 8.0 AST: 1.4 STL: 0.6 TO: 2.0 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 16.0
• Recorded team highs of 22 points and 10 rebounds in 40 minutes Feb. 7 at Indiana.
• Averaging 19.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 31.8 minutes in 19 games as a starter this season.
• Is the only player in NBA history with 500+ three-point field goals and 1,500+ blocks.
G – KYLE LOWRY #7
MIN: 36.4 REB: 4.6 AST: 7.4 STL: 1.2 TO: 2.8 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 19.6
• Posted his ninth double-double with 16 points and a game-high 11 assists in 28 minutes Feb. 7 at Indiana before leaving game late in third quarter with whip lash. Listed as questionable at 1:30 p.m. Saturday..
• Passed Vince Carter (9,420) for third on the franchise’s all-time scoring against the Pacers.
• Tied for eighth in the NBA in assists per game (7.4); has dished out 10+ assists nine times.
G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 36.0 REB: 3.9 AST: 7.0 STL: 2.0 TO: 2.2 BLK: 0.3 PTS: 17.7
• Totaled 20 points, seven assists, three rebounds and two steals in 41 minutes Feb. 7 at Indiana.
• Ranks fourth in the NBA in steals per game (1.95); has registered multiple steals in 21 games.
• Has totaled 43 assists, compared to 10 turnovers, over the last five games (Jan. 30 – Feb. 7).
INJURY REPORT
Marc Gasol (Left hamstring; tightness) – Out
Dewan Hernandez (Right ankle; sprain) – Out
Kyle Lowy (Neck: whiplash) – Questionable
Norman Powell (Left hand; fourth metacarpal – fracture) – Out
SERIES RECAP VS. BROOKLYN
OVERALL HOME ROAD
2019-20 2-0 1-0 1-0
ALL-TIME 55-40 32-15 23-25
STREAKS Won 5 Won 9 Won 2
LAST WIN: January 4, 2020 (121-102)
LAST HOME WIN: December 14, 2019 (110-102)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +37, November 2, 2007
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -25, January 15, 1996
LAST TIME VS. BROOKLYN
GAME 36 – JANUARY 4, 2020 TORONTO 121, BROOKLYN 102
BROOKLYN — Fred VanVleet had 29 points and 11 assists, Lowry scored 26 points and the Raptors beat the Nets 121-102 … Serge Ibaka finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds … Toronto started slow, but got back into it with a big finish to the first half before their guards — who both hit five three pointers — carried them in the second half for another win in what’s been a one-sided rivalry … Toronto made 13 three pointers and beat Brooklyn for the 17th time in 18 meetings … Spencer Dinwiddie scored 23 points for the Nets, who dropped their fifth straight … They had a 16-point lead in the second quarter, but gave almost all of it away by halftime … Caris LeVert returned after a 24-game absence following right thumb surgery and scored 13 points in 16 minutes off the bench … The Nets shot 61 per cent in the first quarter and were six of 10 from 3-point range to open a 33-24 lead … Toronto scored the final 12 points of the second to trim the Net’s lead to 52-48 … Brooklyn had 16 turnovers in the half, leading to 20 points … VanVleet then scored 14 in the third to keep Toronto ahead until it went into the fourth leading 83-80 … Lowry’s three pointer with 9:08 to play triggered a 15-5 spurt that turned a two-point lead into a 100-88 cushion midway through the period.
1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 24 24 35 38 121
BROOKLYN 33 19 28 22 102
NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: Minnesota Timberwolves Date: Monday, February 10 Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: Sportsnet Radio: TSN 1050 Toronto
SERIES RECAP VS. MINNESOTA
OVERALL HOME ROAD
2019-20 1-0 0-0 1-0
ALL-TIME 32-15 21-3 11-12
STREAKS Won 4 Won 15 Won 2
LAST WIN: January 18, 2020 (122-112)
LAST HOME WIN: October 24, 2018 (112-105)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +23, February 10, 2008
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -32, March 19, 2002
LAST TIME VS. MINNESOTA
GAME 42 – JANUARY 18, 2020 TORONTO 122, MINNESOTA 112
MINNEAPOLIS — Fred VanVleet led Toronto with 29 points as the Raptors beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 122-112 on Saturday night … Kyle Lowry added 28 points and seven assists while Norman Powell scored 20 points off the bench for the Raptors, who have won three straight games … Minnesota’s Andrew Wiggins recorded his first career triple-double … He had 18 points, a career-high 11 assists and 10 rebounds … Rookie Jarrett Culver had 26 points for the Timberwolves … VanVleet’s injury sidelined him for five games before Saturday … He was 11 of 16 from the field and 7 of 8 from 3-point range … VanVleet scored 10 points in the fourth quarter … Toronto took a five-point lead into the fourth quarter thanks in large part to Lowry’s efforts in the third … Lowry scored 17 points in the quarter to erase a four-point halftime deficit … The Raptors pushed the lead to as many as 22 in the fourth … Serge Ibaka and Powell each had six points off the bench during a 21-6 stretch to open the period … Minnesota got big first quarters from Wiggins and Culver … Wiggins had 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting and added five assists in the quarter … Culver led Minnesota with 14 points in the first, including 4 of 6 from deep.
1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 32 26 31 33 122
MINNESOTA 39 23 22 28 112
FRIDAY’S GAME
GAME 52 – FEBRUARY 7, 2020 TORONTO 115, INDIANA 106
INDIANAPOLIS — Two days after rallying from a 19-point deficit to extend their franchise-record winning streak, the short-handed Raptors beat Indiana 115-106 for their 13th consecutive victory … Toronto has been winning without Marc Gasol and Norman Powell, two key players who are injured … Kyle Lowry missed the final 14 and a half minutes with a whiplash injury … The Raptors beat the Pacers for the second time in three days and head home with their 10th consecutive road victory … Serge Ibaka scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds … Fred VanVleet added 20 points and seven assists for Toronto, which hasn’t lost since Jan. 15 … Lowry finished with 16 points and 11 assists, his ninth double-double of the season … Domantas Sabonis finished with 19 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Pacers, and Victor Oladipo added 15 points and four assists in his first home start since returning from an injured right knee … Indiana has lost a season-high four in a row … Toronto had a 12-3 run in the third quarter which contributed to an 87-78 lead … When Lowry left with 2:42 to go in the third, the Pacers closed out the quarter with five straight points, cutting the deficit to four … The Pacers got as close as 101-99 with 6:47 left before Terence Davis scored seven points in a 12-4 spurt that gave Toronto a 113-103 lead with 1:48 to go.
1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 36 28 23 28 115
INDIANA 31 32 20 23 106
The National Basketball Association (NBA) (https://www.NBA.com/) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) today announced the top 64 boys and girls from 34 countries and regions who will travel to Chicago for the sixth annual Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global Camp, which will be held Friday, Feb. 14 – Sunday, Feb. 16 at Quest Multisport as […]
All-Star Pascal Siakam, Wizards’ Bertāns, Celtics’ Fall and Bulls’ Markkanen to Coach Top International Prospects at Sixth Annual Basketball Without Borders Global Camp — Social News XYZ
INJURY REPORT AT 1:30 FRIDAY
Indiana Pacers Bowen II, Brian Out G League – Two-Way
Johnson, Alize Out G League – On Assignment
Mitrou-Long, Naz Out G League – Two-Way
Oladipo, Victor Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Injury recovery
Warren, T.J. Questionable Injury/Illness – Not Available; Concussion
Toronto Raptors Brissett, Oshae Out G League – Two-Way
Gasol, Marc Out Injury/Illness – Left Hamstring; Tightness
Hernandez, Dewan Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprain
Powell, Norman Out Injury/Illness – Left Hand; Fourth Metacarpal- Fracture
RAPTORS NOTES
• The Toronto Raptors visit the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Friday night. This is the third of four meetings between the two teams. Serge Ibaka connected on the go-ahead basket with 30 seconds left, as the Raptors overcame a 19-point deficit to beat Indiana at home on Wednesday. Kyle Lowry led all scorers with 32 points in the victory, while Ibaka added a season-high 30. Lowry and Ibaka are averaging 31.0 and 26.5 points, respectively, in two games vs. the Pacers this season. Toronto has dropped their last two visits to Indiana. he Raptors and Pacers will face each other three times in the month of February.
• The Raptors set a franchise record with their 12th straight victory (Jan. 15 – Feb. 5) Wednesday night. Over the last 12 games, the Raptors are averaging 120.6 points and shooting .503 (534-1061) from the field, including .395 (171-433) from three point range. Toronto also has a +66 (162-to-228) turnover differential during this stretch and leads the NBA in points per game off turnovers (24.2). The Raptors’ win streak is the longest in Toronto sports history (NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS and CFL).
• Serge Ibaka scored a season-high 30 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, Feb. 5 vs. Indiana. Ibaka has scored in double figures in eight straight games (Jan. 22 – Feb. 5), shooting at least 50 per centfrom the floor in all eight contests. He averaging 19.9 points (second on the team) and shooting .617 (66-for107) from the field during this stretch. Ibaka has now scored 30+ points four times in his career.
• Kyle Lowry led all scorers with 32 points and dished out 10 assists for his eighth double-double of season
Wednesday night against the Pacers. Lowry has now recorded 30+ points and 10+ assists seven times as
a Raptor, second most in franchise history behind only Damon Stoudamire (nine times).
• Kyle Lowry needs eight points to tie Vince Carter (9,420) for third place on the Raptors’ all-time scoring
list. DeMar DeRozan (13,296) is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, followed by Chris Bosh (10,275).
• Nick Nurse and his staff will coach Team Giannis at the 2020 NBA All-Star Game in Chicago. Nurse will become just the third active head coach to coach in the All-Star Game in their first or second year as an
NBA head coach, joining Steve Kerr (first year) and Mike Budenholzer (second year) – both in 2015.
• Kyle Lowry has been named a reserve for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. Lowry will participate in his sixth All-Star Game (2015-20), the most in franchise history. He is the first player in NBA history to be selected
to at least six All-Star teams after not being picked in any of his first eight seasons. Lowry will join forward Pascal Siakam in Chicago, who was voted a starter. Siakam’s selection extends a streak of six consecutive years that a Raptor has been voted into the starting five – Lowry (2015, 2016), DeMar DeRozan (2017, 2018) and Kawhi Leonard (2019). It also marks the fifth straight year (2016-20) two players will represent Toronto in the All-Star Game.
• MISCELLANEOUS: Rookie Terence Davis ll is the only Raptor to appear in every game this season …Toronto’s 37-14 record after 51 games is the best in franchise history … The Raptors have shot at least 50 percent from the floor in three straight games (Jan. 31 – Feb. 5), shooting .525 (134-for-255) during this
span … Toronto is a perfect 14-0 this season when they shoot .500 from the field.
PROBABLE STARTERS
G – OG ANUNOBY #3
MIN: 29.0 REB: 5.4 AST: 1.6 STL: 1.1 TO: 1.2 BLK: 0.7 PTS: 10.1
• Contributed three rebounds and one steal in 28 minutes of action Feb. 5 vs. Indiana.
• Toronto is 19-4 this season when Anunoby scores 10 or more points.
• Averaging a career-high 10.1 points and shooting a career-best .489 from the field this season.
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 29.0 REB: 5.4 AST: 1.6 STL: 1.1 TO: 1.2 BLK: 0.7 PTS: 10.1
• Recorded 25 points, a team-high nine rebounds, five assists and three steals in 40 minutes Feb. 5 vs. Indiana.
• Ranks 15th in the NBA in scoring (23.7) and 12th in +/- rating (+298).
• Has scored 30+ points 12 times; had five 30-point performances in 80 games played last season.
C – SERGE IBAKA #9
MIN: 26.6 REB: 8.0 AST: 1.3 STL: 0.6 TO: 1.9 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 15.8
• Scored a season-high 30 points Feb. 5 vs. Indiana; added seven rebounds and three assists in 34 minutes.
• Averaging 18.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 31.3 minutes in 18 games as a starter this season.
• Is the only player in NBA history with 500+ three-point field goals and 1,500+ blocks.
G – KYLE LOWRY #7
MIN: 36.6 REB: 4.6 AST: 7.3 STL: 1.3 TO: 2.8 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 19.7
• Finished with a game-high 32 points and 10 assists in 38 minutes Feb. 5 vs. Indiana – his eighth double-double.
• Ranked 10th in the NBA in assists per game (7.3); has dished out 10+ assists eight times.
• Became the franchise’s all-time leader in assists Jan. 28 vs. Atlanta, passing Jose Calderon (3,770).
G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 36.6 REB: 4.6 AST: 7.3 STL: 1.3 TO: 2.8 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 19.7
• Tallied 10 points, seven assists, three rebounds and three steals in 37 minutes Feb. 5 vs. Indiana.
• Ranks fourth in the NBA in steals per game (2.0); has registered multiple steals in 20 games.
• Has totaled 36 assists, compared to just seven turnovers, over the last four games (Jan. 30 – Feb. 5).
INJURY REPORT
Marc Gasol (Left hamstring; tightness) – Out
Dewan Hernandez (Right ankle; sprain) – Out
Norman Powell (Left hand; fourth metacarpal – fracture) – Out
TONIGHT’S GAME DETAILS Opponent: Indiana Pacers Date: Friday, February 7 Tip-Off: 8 p.m. (ET) Venue: Bankers Life Fieldhouse Television: Sportsnet One / ESPN Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN
SERIES RECAP VS. INDIANA
OVERALL HOME ROAD 2019-20 1-1 1-0 0-1 ALL-TIME 41-49 28-18 13-31 STREAKS Won 1 Won 12 Lost 2
LAST WIN: February 5, 2020 (119-118)
LAST ROAD WIN: March 15, 2018 (106-99)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +25, March 19, 2017
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -29, April 8, 2009
LAST TIME VS. INDIANA
GAME 51- FEBRUARY 5, 2020 TORONTO 119, INDIANA 118
TORONTO — Serge Ibaka connected for the go-ahead basket, as the Toronto Raptors overcame a 19-point deficit to beat the Indiana Pacers, setting a franchise record with their 12th consecutive victory … Kyle Lowry had 32 points and Ibaka added a season-high 30 … Pascal Siakam had 25 points, while Terence Davis had 11 and Fred VanVleet contributed 10 … Malcolm Brogdon scored 24 points to lead the Pacers, while Domantas Sabonis had 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists … The Pacers outscored Toronto by 25 points in the second quarter, and when Brogdon drained a three early in the third, the Pacers went up by 19 points … The Raptors pulled within two points late in the third, and Toronto trailed just 86-82 to start the fourth … Three consecutive Pacers threes had the visitors back up by 10 in the final quarter … Toronto pulled within two, but with 3:50 to play, the Pacers were back up by 11 … A Lowry 3-pointer and a Siakam free throw cut the deficit to four with 1:15 to play … Nine seconds later, Siakam made it a two-point game … Lowry found a wide open Ibaka for the game-winner and then forced an Oladipo miss and Brogdon turnover … The Raptors had won 11 games in a row three times, previously from Feb. 26 to March 16, 2018 and Jan. 6-30, 2016, but this streak has seen several key Toronto players miss games with injuries … The Raptors’ streak is one of the longest in Toronto sports history.
1 2 3 4 TOT
INDIANA 20 43 23 32 118
TORONTO 30 18 34 37 119
NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: Brooklyn Nets Date: Saturday, February 8 Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: TSN Radio: TSN 1050 Toronto
SERIES RECAP VS. BROOKLYN
OVERALL HOME ROAD 2019-20 2-0 1-0 1-0 ALL-TIME 55-40 32-15 23-25 STREAKS Won 5 Won 9 Won 2
LAST WIN: January 4, 2020 (121-102)
LAST HOME WIN: December 14, 2019 (110-102)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +37, November 2, 2007
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -25, January 15, 1996
LAST TIME VS. BROOKLYN
GAME 36 – JANUARY 4, 2020 TORONTO 121, BROOKLYN 102
TORONTO — Fred VanVleet had 29 points and 11 assists, Lowry scored 26 points and the Raptors beat the Nets 121-102 … Serge Ibaka finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds … Toronto started slow, but got back into it with a big finish to the first half before their guards — who both hit five three pointers — carried them in the second half for another win in what’s been a one-sided rivalry … Toronto made 13 three pointers and beat Brooklyn for the 17th time in 18 meetings … Spencer Dinwiddie scored 23 points for the Nets, who dropped their fifth straight … They had a 16-point lead in the second quarter, but gave almost all of it away by halftime … Caris LeVert returned after a 24-game absence following right thumb surgery and scored 13 points in 16 minutes off the bench … The Nets shot 61 per cent in the first quarter and were six of 10 from 3-point range to open a 33-24 lead … Toronto scored the final 12 points of the second to trim the Net’s lead to 52-48 … Brooklyn had 16 turnovers in the half, leading to 20 points … VanVleet then scored 14 in the third to keep Toronto ahead until it went into the fourth leading 83-80 … Lowry’s three pointer with 9:08 to play triggered a 15-5 spurt that turned a two-point lead into a 100-88 cushion midway through the period.
1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 24 24 35 38 121
BROOKLYN 33 19 28 22 102
(31-20) INDIANA PACERS, 119 VS. (37-14) TORONTO RAPTORS, 118 SCOTIABANK ARENA WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020
TORONTO RAPTORS QUOTES
NICK NURSE (HEAD COACH)
On staying with Serge Ibaka after he picked up his fifth foul … At that point in the game, it was kind of on the line – I thought, anyway. I think we might have been down around 10 at the time or something and I just figured you try that for a little bit and see what happens. He was playing really well, and it was like save him for what. Fortunately he was able to last it.
On the guys just going crazy when they are trapping and pressing on defence … We certainly had some energy left at the end the way that we were moving. You are just trying to get them into something that changes the rhythm of the game and they were in great rhythm. They were really carving us to pieces and we got them out of their sets and then as we have seen with that press before, once you get one they look shaky quickly. It is not just them – you have seen us do it, we’ve been pressed and we give one up and all of sudden it turns into three really quick. It takes you out of your offence. The play of the night really was, obviously that last possession, it was like 29 seconds long I think and they had it the whole time until we got out of there, but we had decided to blitz the next (Malcolm) Brogdan pick and roll about 1:50 earlier and we were pre-rotating to (Domantas) Sabonis on that and we remembered to do it. Which after all that stuff that was going on and they did it. Sabonis kind of got stuck right there at the beginning and when Brogdan came off that thing and let go, I was like, perfect, I thought maybe we would steal that but we were there. Then we froze him and kind of got back and (Victor) Oladipo got a pretty good look there at the end, but still we were flying around pretty good.
On a strange game from Pascal Siakam, but coming through at the end … That’s what he did, he stayed in there. He wasn’t getting to really balanced shots in there, he was getting to some great positions, like one where he got to like two feet and shot it about six all the way over the basket to other side. It was like he made a really good move and for some reason his balance was being affected I thought pretty much early in the game and then he just decided to start coming downhill at the. He would go for it once, then slam on the brakes and kick it out once, then go for it. He made great reads again, this is maybe his third, fourth close game we’ve had where he has delivered scoring or passing down the stretch and of course those guys have made the shots which is big.
KYLE LOWRY (32 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds)
Do you feel like this team is never out of the game regardless even when you’re down 10, 15 points? We play 48 minutes. That’s how we play. We put a little pressure on them and made some shots, got aggressive and started playing a little bit better defense down the stretch. We played a little faster, more aggressive and Pascal made some great plays. He made some big shots.
Does it give you confidence, knowing you guys have gone to the press late in games with success? It’s not confidence, it’s doing what we have to do to try to win basketball games, no matter what it takes. It’s what we’ve always tried to do and something we build on. We try to get better as a team. Every game is learning a lesson and you continue to get better throughout the season and enjoy this journey.
Is there something you guys have been doing differently during this winning streak? Day-by-day, game-by-game, hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute. We don’t think about the streak. … We think about how to win games.
Have you seen an improvement in Serge Ibaka’s passing? Yes, he has made a very conscious effort to make the extra pass. He made a great pass to Pascal on the run tonight. I think he’s getting comfortable doing what he wanted to do and what is needed.
PASCAL SIAKAM (25 points, nine rebounds, five assists)
Do you feel the team is never really out of it regardless of the score? Yes, we just keep playing. We understand that most of the time it’s about us bringing the intensity up and correcting some of the mistakes that we make. We always know that it’s just a matter of time that we are going to get a rhythm to the game and get stops. Anything can happen.
Is there a method to the press late in games? I think we just make it powerful, especially during the whole game they felt like it was easy and got whatever they wanted. We wanted to make sure we made it hard on them. Better pressure, flying around. They made a lot of threes so once we collapsed we had to get out to them.
On coming up big on both ends late in the game… It was a tough game. At the end of the game, it doesn’t matter what the result is – if I make 20 shots or I miss 20 shots – as long as I continue to be aggressive and you could argue that I could have calls or no calls, whatever the case may be. I think at the end of the day for me I have to stay aggressive. No matter the result, I have to have the same attitude. It was on me to contribute to make sure I go out there and be the best player I can be.
Is there anything that stands out about this winning streak? I think it’s a little bit of everything. We play together, no matter what happens we stay calm and weather the storm and continue to play basketball. We don’t get down on ourselves when we miss shots or have turnovers or be down 20. It’s about us staying together as a team and I think we did a great job of that tonight. Even when it wasn’t going well, we didn’t really have anybody talking down on anybody or anybody pointing fingers. It was about us getting together. Once we turn it on we know we can win any night.
SERGE IBAKA (30 points, seven rebounds, three assists)
What do you think was the biggest key to the comeback? I think we keep our composure during the game. We know we’ve beat them before. We’ve beat them many times before in the position. We just didn’t give up. We try to keep competing to the end.
How did feel when that feel when that 3 dropped at the end? It feels good. I missed a couple open 3s earlier. Coach told me at the timeout, “hey Serge, keep shooting with confidence and push the ball.” He gave me a lot of confidence.
Is that something you’ve been working on? Yes, I’ve been working on it. That’s another reason, too. Once I got the ball I said to myself, “I have to shoot it.” I work on the shot every day and it went in.
It feels like you’re never out of the game, is that how you approach it? Like I said earlier, we’ve been there before, even in the playoffs. It’s a mindset of don’t give up, keep trusting each other, don’t point fingers when things go bad. We stay together. I think that’s what makes us very special.
(31-20) INDIANA PACERS, 118 VS. (37-14) TORONTO RAPTORS, 119 SCOTIABANK ARENA WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020
INDIANA PACERS QUOTES
NATE MCMILLAN (HEAD COACH)
What went wrong in the last couple of minutes? Turnovers, just not handling the ball, executing down the stretch, 27 points off of turnovers. You just got to take care of the basketball.
What did you see from your team with Victor Oladipo inserted into the starting lineup? We gave ourselves a chance to win tonight. We had this game; we’ve got to finish games when you have a team down. Just poor execution the last five minutes of this game. Defensively, the second half we gave up 71 points. So we’ve got to finish games.
What do you think contributed to the turnovers? Spacing, being careless with the basketball. You’ve just got to execute. We knew they were a team that had a trap, and we didn’t get our spacing, and just didn’t care of the basketball.
VICTOR OLADIPO (13 points, two assists, two rebounds)
On tonight’s game… I think down the stretch (it was) little mistakes. I felt like we were playing to just maintain the lead instead of playing to win the game. That’s just my personal opinion. They executed. We didn’t execute. I felt like they knew exactly what they wanted to do down the stretch and I felt like we didn’t. We weren’t really sure, but again, it’s probably because I haven’t played with them in a long time. But it’s good for us to have these kinds of games now than later in the season or in the playoffs so we know what we need to do better … Something to learn from. Obviously we’ve all got to watch film and get better. We play them again on Friday, so it’s a quick turnaround. We’ve got to be ready to play.
Are you surprised by Toronto’s win streak? No. They’ve been good for a really long time, even before this year and last year. They are well-coached, their players know their roles, they know what they’re supposed to do, and really not supposed to do. They know certain parts of the game, when it’s going to happen, what needs to be executed, they know who’s going to have the ball, who’s not going to have the ball, and they know what they need to do to help their team win. That’s why they’re successful.
MALCOLM BROGDON (24 points, six rebounds, six assists)
On tonight’s ending… We couldn’t get stops at the end. They made some tough buckets. (It) was just sort of a series of things.
Do you guys have an issue with dealing with this kind of pressure down the stretch? No. I mean, it’s happened a few times, but we don’t have a problem with that. We just struggled with it tonight.
What in particular made it difficult tonight? It was on us. We just weren’t organized. It wasn’t a special press. We just weren’t organized in our spots. We didn’t get the ball up the court fast enough. We didn’t attack it. A lot of the time with press breaks, you’ve got to attack it (and) try and get a bucket or layup on the other end. We were really just trying to get it over half court.
The Raptors have been on a nice little run of late and the injury-ravaged Chicago Bulls weren’t about to bring this one to an end. The Bulls hung with Toronto for about a half but the second half of the game was almost all Toronto as the Raptors pulled away for a comfortable 129-102 win. […]
Davis celebrates Super Sunday as Raptors extend winning streak — Toronto Sun
GAME #49 – TORONTO RAPTORS (34-14) at DETROIT PISTONS (17-32) FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020 – 7 P.M. (ET) – LITTLE CAESARS ARENA TV: SPORTSNET – RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
INJURY REPORT AT 1:30 P.M. FRIDAY
TOR@DET Detroit Pistons Bone, Jordan Out G League – Two-Way
Brown, Bruce Available Injury/Illness – Right Thumb; Sprain
Griffin, Blake Out Injury/Illness – Left Knee; Surgery
Kennard, Luke Out Injury/Illness – Bilateral Knee; Patellar Tendinitis
King, Louis Out G League – Two-Way
Morris, Markieff Questionable Injury/Illness – Body; Illness
Thomas, Khyri Out Injury/Illness – Right Foot; Surgery
Toronto Raptors Gasol, Marc Out Injury/Illness – Left Hamstring; Tightness
Hernandez, Dewan Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprain
Hollis-Jefferson, Rondae Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprain
Miller, Malcolm Out Injury/Illness – Neck; Strain
RAPTORS NOTES
• The Toronto Raptors play the second game of a back-to-back set Friday night when they visit the Detroit Pistons. This is the third of four meetings between the two teams, with Toronto winning the first two games. With a victory Friday, Toronto would capture the season-series with the Pistons for the fourth time in the past five seasons. Since the start of the 2015-16 campaign, the Raptors are 11-5 against Detroit. Toronto is 4-3 (.571) this season in the second game of a back-to-back set.
• The Raptors have won a season-high nine straight games (Jan. 15-30) – tied for the third longest winning streak in team history. Toronto won a franchise record 11 consecutive games twice (Feb. 26 – Mar. 16, 2018 and Jan. 6-30, 2016). Over the past nine games, the Raptors are averaging 121.6 points and shooting .496 (400-806) from the field, including .394 (134-340) from 3-point range. Toronto also has a +55 (121-to-176) turnover differential during this stretch and leads the NBA in points per game off turnovers (25.7). Pascal Siakam is averaging a team-best 20.4 points during the current winning streak.
• The Raptors are 11-3 in the month of January. Toronto has finished with a winning record each of the past 21 calendar months (February 2017 – January 2020). The streak is the longest in franchise history and the longest current streak in the NBA. The last month in which Toronto did not have a winning record was January 2017 (8–9). With a victory tonight, the Raptors would also tie the franchise record for most wins in a calendar month. Toronto won 12 games in Nov. 2014, Jan. 2016, March 2018 and Nov. 2018.
• Kyle Lowry has been named a reserve for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. Lowry will participate in his sixth All-Star Game (2015-20), the most in franchise history. He is the first player in NBA history to be selected to at least six All-Star teams after not being picked in any of his first eight seasons. Lowry will join forward Pascal Siakam in Chicago, who was voted a starter. Siakam’s selection extends a streak of six consecutive years that a Raptor has been voted into the starting five – Lowry (2015, 2016), DeMar DeRozan (2017,
2018) and Kawhi Leonard (2019). Chicago also marks the fifth straight year (2016-20) two players will represent Toronto in the All-Star Game.
• Serge Ibaka scored a season-high 26 points Jan. 30 at Cleveland. Ibaka has scored in double digits in five straight games; averaging 18.4 points and shooting .617 (37-60) from the floor during this span.
• Toronto has won eight straight games on the road (Jan. 4-30) – the second longest road win streak in team history. The Raptors won a franchise record nine in a row on the road Feb. 11 – Mar. 20, 2018. After starting the season 4-4 away from Scotiabank Arena, Toronto has won 13 of its last 16 games on the road. The Raptors have finished with a +.500 record on the road each of the past six seasons (2013-19).
• Kyle Lowry needs 61 points to tie Vince Carter (9,420) for third place on the Raptors’ all-time scoring list. DeMar DeRozan (13,296) is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, followed by Chris Bosh (10,275).
• The Raptors continue a stretch of seven consecutive games (Jan. 26 – Feb. 8) vs. Eastern Conference opponents Friday night. Toronto is 24-7 (.774) against the East this season – the third best winning percentage in the NBA behind Milwaukee (.897) and LA Clippers (.778).
PROBABLE STARTERS
G – OG ANUNOBY #3
MIN: 29.3 REB: 5.5 AST: 1.7 STL: 1.1 TO: 1.2 BLK: 0.7 PTS: 10.5
• Contributed nine points, three rebounds and one assist in 31 minutes Jan. 30 at Cleveland.
• Toronto is 19-4 this season when Anunoby scores 10 or more points.
• Averaging a career-high 10.5 points and shooting a career-best .489 from the field through 47 games this season.
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 34.9 REB: 7.6 AST: 3.4 STL: 1.0 TO: 2.5 BLK: 1.0 PTS: 23.7
• Recorded 19 points, five rebounds and a career high-tying four steals in 34 minutes Jan. 30 at Cleveland.
• Ranks 15th in the NBA in scoring (23.7); averaging 25.3 points over the last four games (Jan. 24-30).
• Has scored 30+ points 11 times; had five 30-point performances in 80 games played last season.
C – SERGE IBAKA #9
MIN: 26.4 REB: 8.1 AST: 1.3 STL: 0.6 TO: 1.8 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 15.3
• Scored a season and game-high 26 points Jan. 30 at Cleveland; added four rebounds in 33 minutes.
• Averaging 18.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 31.8 minutes in 15 games as a starter this season.
• Has scored in double figures in five straight games (Jan. 22-30); averaging 18.4 points during this stretch.
G – KYLE LOWRY #7
MIN: 36.9 REB: 4.6 AST: 7.3 STL: 1.3 TO: 2.8 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 19.9
• Totaled 23 points, five assists, five rebounds and a season-high tying four steals Jan. 30 at Cleveland.
• Ranks 10th in the NBA in assists per game (7.3); has dished out 10+ assists seven times.
• Became the franchise’s all-time leader in assists Jan. 28 vs. Atlanta, passing Jose Calderon (3,770).
G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 36.0 REB: 3.8 AST: 6.9 STL: 2.0 TO: 2.3 BLK: 0.3 PTS: 18.0
• Finished with eight points, seven rebounds and a season-high 12 assists in 37 minutes Jan. 30 at Cleveland.
• Ranks fifth in the NBA in steals per game (1.95); has registered multiple steals in 18 games.
• Averaging 18.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists in nine games during the month of January.
INJURY REPORT
Marc Gasol (Left hamstring; tightness) – Out
Dewan Hernandez (Right ankle; sprain) – Out
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Right ankle sprain) – Out
Malcolm Miller (Neck; strain) – Out
TONIGHT’S GAME DETAILS– Opponent: Detroit Pistons Date: Friday, January 31 Tip-Off: 7 p.m. (ET) Venue: Little Caesars Arena Television: Sportsnet Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN
SERIES RECAP VS. DETROIT
OVERALL HOME ROAD 2019-20
2-0 1-0 1-0
ALL-TIME
37-54 19-25 18-29
STREAKS
Won 2 Won 1 Won 1
LAST WIN: December 18, 2019 (112-99)
LAST ROAD WIN: December 18, 2019 (112-99)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +30, December 23, 2009
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -44, January 4, 1997
LAST TIME VS. DETROIT
GAME 27 – DECEMBER 18, 2019 TORONTO 112, DETROIT 99
DETROIT — Kyle Lowry had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for a triple-double and the Raptors had an 11-0 run in the third quarter on their way to a 112-99 victory over the Pistons … By the time the game ended, Toronto was short a few key players after Marc Gasol and Norman Powell left with injuries … The Raptors were without guard Fred VanVleet because of a right knee injury … Then Gasol left in the first quarter with a left hamstring strain … With 3:17 left in the fourth, Powell departed holding onto his left shoulder … Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond were back from injuries, but Detroit still allowed 70 points in the first half and 40 in the second quarter … Lowry fed Serge Ibaka for a dunk with 37.4 seconds left for the assist he needed for a triple-double … Toronto led 81-76 before its 11-point run in the third … Pascal Siakam and Ibaka had backto-back dunks that made it 90-76, and a layup by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson pushed the lead to 16 … Drummond had 22 points and 18 rebounds for Detroit … There were four technical fouls handed out: Lowry, Siakam and Drummond received theirs in the second quarter, and Griffin got one in the third … Detroit came into the game shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc, but the Pistons went just 6 of 35 this game.
1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 30 40 26 16 112
DETROIT 29 35 15 20 99
PISTONS NOTES
TORONTO RAPTORS (34-14) AT DETROIT PISTONS (17-32)
REGULAR SEASON GAME #50 / HOME GAME #26
LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020 AT 7:00 P.M. ET
TV: FSD RADIO: 950 AM
INJURY/STATUS REPORT:
Jordan Bone (G League – Two-Way), Blake Griffin (Left Knee Surgery), Luke Kennard (Bilateral Knee Tendinitis), Louis King (G League – Two-Way), Khyri Thomas (Right Foot Surgery) are OUT…Markieff Morris (Illness) is QUESTIONABLE.
QUICK FACTS:
ÿ Derrick Rose has scored at least 20 points in 13-straight games, extending the longest 20-plus point streak of his career. He is just the 8th Piston to ever record such a streak and the first to do so since J. Stackhouse (21-straight in 2000-01).
ÿ Andre Drummond ranks tied for 1st in the NBA with 38 double-doubles in 2019-20.
LAST GAME STARTERS
POS. PLAYERS 2019-20 REGULAR SEASON STATS AND NOTES
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 213
New Mexico
Averages: 8.0 Pts 1.8 Rebs 1.4 Asts 0.4 Stls 26.4 Min
LAST GAME: Six points (two 3-pointers), three rebounds, three assists and one block in 25 minutes at BKN (1/29)….First start since 1/22; missed three games due to illness.
THIS SEASON: Ranks T-13th in NBA in 3FG% (.426, 78-183 3FG)…15 double-digit scoring games…25 games with multiple triples, five games with at least four 3-pointers made…Six-straight games with two+ threes (11/2-11/12), four-straight with three+ 3-pointers (11/4-11/11); career-long streaks…Five-straight games with 10+ pts (11/2-11/11); tied career-long streak…Season-high 24 pts (9-9 FG, 6-6 3FG) vs. NYK (11/6)…1st Piston, 9th NBA player ever to make six 3s, shoot 1.000 from the field.
F
Ht: 6-9 Wt: 230
France
Averages: 6.7 Pts 3.1 Rebs 0.4 Asts 0.5 Stls 19.2 Min
LAST GAME: One steal in eight minutes at BKN (1/29)…14
th career start.
THIS SEASON: Career-high 24 points (10-13 FG) at BOS (1/15)…Seven games with 10-plus points…Four-straight games scoring in double figures (1/2-1/7) and streak of three straight such games (1/11-1/15)…Became first Pistons rookie since at least 1970-71 (first- year starters were listed) to record double-double in each of first two starts (1/2-1/4)…Saw first NBA action at MIL (11/23).
Ht: 6-11 Wt: 279
Connecticut
Averages: 17.2 Pts 15.6 Rebs 2.8 Asts 2.1 Stls 33.7 Min
LAST GAME: 12 points, 13 rebounds (6 OREB, 7 DREB), four assists, two steals and two blocks in 35 minutes at BKN (1/29)…NBA-leading 18th game with at least two steals and two blocks.
THIS SEASON: Only NBA player to rank in top 10 in both steals per game (2.1 spg, 2nd) and blocks per game (1.8 bpg, 9th)…Leads NBA in REB, OREB and DREB per game…NBA-leading eight games with at least 20 points/20 rebounds and 40 career 20/20 games…38 double-double; ranks tied for first in NBA in total double-doubles…NBA-leading 18 games with at least 15 pts/15 rebs…NBA-leading 11 games with at least 20 rebs…Franchise record 26th game with at least 10 OREB (1/9)…First player in team history with four-straight games with at least 15 pts/20 rebs (10/30-11/4)…Five straight games with 15+ pts/15+ rebs (10/28-11/4); tied career-long streak…Became 2nd Piston to record three-straight 20/20 games (B. Lanier); 3rd NBA player in last 25 seasons.
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 202
Miami
Averages: 8.7 Pts 4.2 Rebs 3.9 Asts 1.2 Stls 27.1 Min
LAST GAME: Six points (3-5 FG), three rebounds, two assists and one steal in 18
minutes at BKN (1/29).
THIS SEASON: 15-straight games with at least one steal
(12/20-1/20); marked longest such streak for any Piston in 2019-20…Ranks second on team in steals (54)…Led Pistons in passing in 14 games…17 games with 10+ pts, two games with 20+ pts…Three-straight games with 10+ pts; longest such streak of career (12/14-12/18)…Career highs in pts (22), FG (8), FGA (20), minutes (40) vs. BKN (11/2).
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 200
Memphis
Averages: 18.9 Pts 2.6 Rebs 6.0 Asts 0.8 Stls 26.7 Min
LAST GAME: 22 points (9-15 FG, 1-2 3FG), six rebounds and team-high-tying five assists in 31 minutes at BKN (1/29)…13th-straight 20-plus scoring game; extends career-long streak and first Piston to record such a streak since J. Stackhouse (21, 2000-01)…Eighth start of season.
THIS SEASON: Ranks T-22nd in NBA with 6.0 apg, T-19th in FT% (.872), 29th in FG% (.498)…Ranks 17th in East in ppg (18.9)…Ranks 4th in NBA among all guards with .498 FG% (min. 400 FGA)…Scored 11,000th career point vs.SAC (1/22)…27 games leading team in passing, has led Pistons in scoring 18 times…Scored at least 20 points a team-high 23 times, 10+ pts in 40 games…Four double-doubles (most recent – 1/22 vs. n scoring 18 times…Scored at least 20 points a team-high 23 times, 10+ pts in 40 games…Four double-doubles (most recent – 1/22 vs. SAC)….14th Piston to ever score 30+ points off bench.
QUICK FACTS: The Pistons are 0-2 against Toronto in 2019-20. Detroit has a 5-11 record against Toronto over the last four seasons. Detroit holds a 54-37 all-time record against the Raptors with a 29-18 home record and a 2519 road record. CONNECTIONS: Detroit head coach Dwane Casey coached the Toronto Raptors from 2011-12. Casey led the Raptors to a franchise record five-straight postseasons and won Coach of the Year in 201718. Casey went 320-238 in seven seasons with Toronto. Pistons guard Reggie Jackson played with Raptors forward Serge Ibaka in Oklahoma City from 2011-15. Raptors forward Stanley Johnson spent three-plus seasons in Detroit (2015-19), posting averages of 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals in 267 games (64 starts).
LAST GAME: Wednesday, December 18, 2019 vs. Toronto Raptors Little Caesars Arena (15,319) Detroit Pistons 99, Toronto Raptors 112 1 2 3 4 FINAL RECORD FG% 3FG% FT% REB AST STL BLK TOV Toronto 30 40 26 16 112 (19-8) .429 .371 .875 47 27 9 6 12 Detroit 29 35 15 20 99 (11-17) .448 .171 .682 48 19 7 6 15
Pistons High Scorer: Drummond 22 Raptors High Scorer: Siakam 26 Pistons High Rebounder: Drummond 18 Raptors High Rebounder: Ibaka 13 Pistons High Assists: Rose 5 Raptors High Assists: Lowry 10
Key Moments: Detroit’s biggest lead of the game was three (8-5) and the Raptors’ biggest lead was 18 (77-95)…There were 11 lead changes and nine ties, with Toronto never relinquishing the lead after the 4:23 mark of the second quarter…Toronto scored 70 points in the first half, the most by any Pistons’ opponent so far this season…Detroit cut the lead to nine with 4:02 to play, but a 5-0 run from the visitors put the game out of reach late for the Pistons. Top Performers for Detroit: Andre Drummond (22 points, 18 rebounds, two steals, two blocks in 37 minutes), Derrick Rose (16 points, four rebounds, five assists, one block in 28 minutes), Blake Griffin (15 points, two rebounds, four assists, two blocks in 32 minutes). Top Performers for Toronto: Kyle Lowry (20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists), Serge Ibaka (25 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, one steal in 31 minutes), Pascal Siakam (26 points, five rebounds, three assists, one steal, four blocks in 35 minutes). Inactive for Detroit: Jordan Bone (G League – Two-Way), Sekou Doumbouya (G League Assignment), Reggie Jackson (Lumbar Spine Stress Reaction), Louis King (G League – Two-Way), Khyri Thomas (Right Foot Surgery). Inactive for Toronto: Oshae Brissett (G League – Two-Way), Dewan Hernandez (G League Assignment), Stanley Johnson (Left Groin Stress Reaction), Shamorie Ponds (G League – Two-Way), Matt Thomas (Left Middle Finger Distal Phalanx Fracture), Fred VanVleet (Right Knee Contusion).
The view from left field 