(13-12) BROOKLYN NETS, 102 VS. (17-8) TORONTO RAPTORS, 110 SCOTIABANK ARENA SATURDAY, DEC. 14, 2019
TORONTO RAPTORS QUOTES
NICK NURSE (HEAD COACH)
On the game … We had a really, really good offensive flow, I thought, until the fourth. I thought for a long stretch of the season, I didn’t say our offense was beautiful or anything – but it looked organized, and looked like we’re going to the right guys at the right time, and I thought that was the case most of the time tonight until we got a little haywire in two sections of the game.
On the team defence … I have to look at the second half a little bit, but the first half, I looked at a lot of it at halftime and we were really active and we were really flying around and helping each other, chasing a guy off the line and somebody else would fill in and they would kick it again and we would chase them off again. We were really flying around and so that was great to see, and I don’t think I have seen that for a while. I have to check the second half a little bit, film-wise, to get a better read for it, but it certainly (there) was great energy and great team defence in the first half.
On using Patrick McCaw down the stretch in the fourth quarter … I just liked Pat’s energy on defence and (Spencer) Dinwiddie, (Joe) Harris, give him a chance to guard one of those two, probably there biggest threats out there in the game and I thought he was doing a really good job of just fitting in at the offensive end.
On Marc Gasol… I don’t think I would I say in totality here for the season we have been that happy, because I think he’s been a low scoring guy and at times he is a big time scorer, he will hurt you from in and out. So I am glad to see him get some more opportunities, we actually ran a couple plays for post-ups for him tonight that he scored, or else he missed and got his own rebound and put it in back in …scored eventually. I still think he is a threat down there and we have to do a better job of getting him deep touches like that.
PASCAL SIAKAM (30 points, 11 rebounds, five assists)
What worked on defence that created opportunities at the offensive end? Our energy was where we want it to be. We made a lot of mistakes, but we covered it up with our energy, just playing hard and that’s how we have to play every single night. We can’t come in and not play that way because that’s the way we play, so we have to play like that every single night. It starts with me, I have to bring my team to that energy level every single night and I’m going to try my best to do that.
Thoughts on team ball movement tonight… I liked it. We play for each other like we always do. Move the ball around; get the open shots and today they went in, so we have to continue to play.
On Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol posting double- doubles in same game for first time this season… That’s big for us, we need those guys. A big night for Marc and Serge. They did a hell of a job on defence, rebounding and also scoring, so we are going to need that from them every single night.
NORMAN POWELL (25 points,four rebounds)
Was it good to see shots falling in the first half? I think the way we came out defensively, they hit a couple early shots early on, but after tightening it down a little bit and being able to get out on transition, moving the ball, we were able to find some good looks that were able to go. But I really think tonight’s game was fuelled by the defence we had.
What does getting out on transition do for your game? I think that’s my game. Getting out on transition, attacking early, trying to get into the paint, see what the defence is doing. It allows the flow of the offence to get in there, kick out, next pass, next action, so I think it really gets the offence going when we get deep into the paint, having defences rotating and scrambling around out there help make the kick out. Just staying aggressive when I have those opportunities.
KYLE LOWRY (17 points, four rebounds, six assists)
On having Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol playing well at both ends of the floor… It’s always good to have that option to go back to traditional basketball. When Serge has got a smaller guy on him, I’m going to go with that, you know those chances every time of him getting rebounds and it’s kind of funny when he has a smaller guy on him, he just turns into even more of a madman. We need that and Marc spaces the floor well, makes the right plays and him and Serge have a good combination down there.
BROOKLYN NETS QUOTES
KENNY ATKINSON (HEAD COACH)
What was the story of the game from your view? The first quarter, they were hot and they got going. Didn’t love how we contested shots – for some reason we weren’t contesting shots the way we needed to, and then after the first quarter our defence settled down. I thought we were pretty good the last three quarters defensively. Then, offensively, two things: we turned it over too much and didn’t make enough shots. I thought we had a lot of open looks, they didn’t go down – but the turnovers hurt us too.
Is ball handling a bit of a problem? I think it is. That’s Toronto’s strength, they turn you over, they’re an excellent defensive team. I knew coming in that the issue tonight was going to be scoring on these guys. We did not handle the ball well enough. Not only the second unit, I thought the first unit struggled too. So just in general, turnovers were a problem.
Did you get the looks from three that you wanted? I thought a lot of good looks. The one I feel you can control are the turnovers. You don’t get a shot, and then usually turnovers turn into great shots for the other team down the other end. You have 20 turnovers, and then you miss the amount of shots we did, it’s just not good enough. We knew we were going to get threes tonight, we knew they pack it in and we were going to get shots. We encourage our guys to shoot them, they just didn’t go in tonight.
TAUREAN PRINCE (14 points, 10 rebounds, two assists)
On tonight’s game… We just missed some shots we usually make. (We) just have to correct that.
What were you seeing defensively? I think we lacked a bit of intensity on the transition defence, but for the most part we were stopping them at halfcourt. I think we could have done a better job in transition. I think that’s on us. I don’t think they did anything that we weren’t expecting or that we couldn’t fix, so that’s a good thing coming out of the game. (There were) a lot of the shots we could have made that we missed (and) that were wide open that we usually hit, but it’s a good learning curve, especially going into Philly tomorrow.
On the turnovers tonight … That’s their job to contest everything. Our job is to continue to move the ball. This is the NBA, so you have to hit shots when people are right in your face. We didn’t hit many, even our wide open ones. I think we had a ton of wide open threes with no contest, so we tried to hit those.
GARRETT TEMPLE (16 points, four rebounds, two assists)
How much of tonight was about making shots? They went (9-of-12) in the first quarter and then it’s tough for us to win (when) I go 2-for-14. We got the shots that we expected to get and we were comfortable with. We’ll take those same exact shots, you know, 100 times out of 100 times when we play. We just have to knock them down at the end of the day and be a little more decisive in transition defence, and take care of the ball. I think we had 20 turnovers, so with a team that plays that fast, when they get out on transition, they are going to make shots (and) get to the rim, and if they’re making threes it’s tough.
What would you attribute the team turnovers to? It might have been a case where we were trying to play, and you know, got caught up in their pace. Like I said, they were playing really fast, but just those few unforced turnovers that we could have not had. They are a long team. That’s what they do. They create turnovers. Got to give them some credit, but I think a lot of it was unforced.
GAME #25 – TORONTO RAPTORS (16-8) vs. BROOKLYN NETS (13-11) SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2019 – 7:30 P.M. (ET) – SCOTIABANK ARENA TV: TSN – RADIO: TSN 1050 TORONTO
INJURY REPORT AT 8:30 P.M. FRIDAY
BKN@TOR Brooklyn Nets Chandler, Wilson Out League Suspension – Claxton, Nicolas Out Injury/Illness – Left Hamstring; Soreness – Durant, Kevin Out Injury/Illness – Right Achilles; Rehab – Irving, Kyrie Out Injury/Illness – Right Shoulder; Impingement – LeVert, Caris Out Injury/Illness – Right Thumb; Surgery – Toronto Raptors Johnson, Stanley Out Injury/Illness – Left Groin; Stress reaction – Thomas, Matt Out Injury/Illness – Left Finger; Middle; fracture – distal phalanx – VanVleet, Fred Doubtful Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Contusion –
RAPTORS NOTES • The Toronto Raptors continue a three-game homestand (Dec. 11-16) Saturday night when they host the Brooklyn Nets at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors have won 15 of the last 16 meetings with Nets, including eight straight games at home. Pascal Siakam averaged 19.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in four games (3-1) vs. Brooklyn last season. The last time Toronto lost the season-series with the Nets was in 2012-13.
• The Raptors have won an NBA record 33 consecutive games at home vs. the Atlantic Division. The Raptors’ last regular season loss at Scotiabank Arena against an Atlantic Division foe was Nov. 10, 2015 vs. New York. Since 1970-71 (the division format era), Golden State (2013-17) and Utah (1996-99) had held the previous record with 32 straight victories at home vs. divisional opponents. • Former Net Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will play his first game against his old team Saturday night. Hollis-Jefferson averaged 9.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 23.6 minutes in 234 career games (147 starts) with the Brooklyn (2015-19). He was picked 23rd overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2015 NBA Draft and acquired by the Nets on draft night. He signed as a free agent with the Raptors this past summer.
• Norman Powell recorded 22 points and one steal in 34 minutes Dec. 11 against the LA Clippers. Powell scored 20+ points for the fifth time this season; something he did four times in 60 games played in 201819. His 13 steals in the month of December (six games), are tied with Russell Westbrook and Solomon Hill for third most in the NBA behind only James Harden (16) and Draymond Green (14).
• The Raptors have tallied 10 or more steals in four-of-six games this month, after recording 10 or more steals three times in 13 games in November. Toronto leads the NBA averaging 10.7 steals in December. Norman Powell (13) and OG Anunoby (12) have combined for 25 of the Raptors’ 64 steals this month.
• December is Toronto’s busiest month of the season with 16 games and includes three back-to-back sets. The Raptors’ 11 games at Scotiabank Arena tie the franchise record for most home games in a calendar month – Toronto also played 11 games at home in March 2016. Also, for the first time the Raptors will play at home Christmas Day when they host the Boston Celtics.
• Toronto has lost three straight games at home (Dec. 3-11) after starting the season with a franchise-record nine straight victories at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors have dropped three in a row at home for the first time since Nov. 29 – Dec. 5, 2015.
• Pascal Siakam is one of five players in the NBA averaging 24.0+ points, 8.0+ rebounds and 3.0+ assists this season, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic and Karl-Anthony Towns. No Raptor has ever averaged 24.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists throughout an entire season. • Kyle Lowry passed Chris Bosh (509) for fourth on the Raptors’ all-time games played list Wednesday night vs. the LA Clippers – he now trails only DeMarDeRozan (675), Morris Peterson (542) and Jose Calderon (525). Lowry is the longest-serving member of the Raptors, currently in his eighth season with the club. He ranks first in franchise history in steals (761) and 3-point field goals (1,260), second in assists (3,595) and fourth in points (8,871).
• Recorded 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 35 minutes Dec. 11 vs. LA Clippers. • Toronto is 11-2 when Anunoby scores 10 or more points (Last: 13 – Dec. 11 vs. LA Clippers). • Has scored in double figures each of the last three games (Dec. 8-11); averaging 14.0 points during this span.
• Finished with a game-high 24 points, four rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes Dec. 11 vs. LA Clippers. • Ranks 15th in the NBA in scoring (24.5) and third in minutes per game (36.8). • Has scored 30+ points eight times; had five 30-point performances in 80 games played last season.
• Totaled nine points and team highs of 11 rebounds and six assists 31 minutes Dec. 11 vs. LA Clippers. • Reached 12,000 career points in the NBA Nov. 16 at Dallas. • Has collected 10+ rebounds four times this season, including a season-high 12 rebounds Nov. 2 at Milwaukee.
• Contributed 22 points and three rebounds in 34 minutes of action Dec. 11 vs. LA Clippers. • Averaging 16.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 31.0 minutes in 13 games as a starter. • Ranks second on the team in scoring (16.5 points) through six games in December; shooting .507 from the field.
• Recorded six points and a team high-tying six assists in 35 minutes Dec. 11 vs. LA Clippers. • Needs one double-double to tie Antonio Davis (110) for third on the Raptors’ all-time list (see page 3 for top-five). • Averaging 14.8 points and 7.4 assists in five games (Dec. 3-11) since returning from a left thumb injury.
INJURY REPORT Stanley Johnson (Left groin; stress reaction) – Out Matt Thomas (Left middle finger; distal phalanx fracture) – Out Fred VanVleet (right knee contusion) – TBD
SERIES RECAP VS. BROOKLYN
OVERALL HOME ROAD
2018-19
3-1 2-0 1-1
ALL-TIME
53-40 31-15 22-25 STREAKS Won 3 Won 8 Won 1
LAST WIN: April 3, 2019 (115-105)
LAST HOME WIN: February 11, 2019 (127-125)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +37, November 2, 2007
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -25, January 15, 1996
LAST TIME VS. BROOKLYN
GAME 79 – APRIL 3, 2019 TORONTO 115, BROOKLYN 105
NEW YORK — Pascal Siakam had 28 points and 10 rebounds, Kawhi Leonard added 26 points and nine boards and the Toronto Raptors beat the Brooklyn Nets 115-105 for their fifth straight victory … Serge Ibaka finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Raptors, who need to win their final three games to match last season’s franchise record for victories … D’Angelo Russell had 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists for Brooklyn … The Nets had cut the deficit to five early in the third quarter before Siakam made a pair of baskets around Marc Gasol’s 3-pointer to make it 66-54 … Toronto would get the lead as high as 14 points in the quarter and led 90-78 entering the fourth … Russell tried to jump-start a rally early in the fourth, scoring seven straight Brooklyn points to trim it to 92-87 … He scored 18 in the final period … Siakam, Ibaka and Kyle Lowry made 3-pointers over a span of 1:40, before two free throws by Ibaka and another by Siakam pushed it back to 108-96 with 3:15 to play … Russell had one more flurry, making three 3-pointers to cut it to 110-105 with 1:24 left … But Ibaka scored on a follow shot and the Nets couldn’t get anything else to fall … Siakam scored 18 points after halftime.
1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 34 23 33 25 115
BROOKLYN 22 28 28 27 105
NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: Cleveland Cavaliers Date: Monday, December 16 Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: Sportsnet Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN
LAST GAME
GAME 24 – DECEMBER 11, 2019 LA CLIPPERS 112, TORONTO 92
TORONTO — Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points in a 112-92 win over his former team … Pascal Siakam had 24 points to top the Raptors … Toronto shot a season’s worst 8-for-36 from the 3-point line, and matched their season low with 31 field goals … Kyle Lowry missed seven of Toronto’s threes on a 1-for-8 shooting night … Norman Powell finished with 22 points for the Raptors … It was Toronto’s third consecutive loss at home after going a franchise-record 9-0 to start the season … OG Anunoby had 13 points and seven rebounds, Marc Gasol added 11 rebounds and nine points and Terence Davis had 10 points for Toronto … Fred VanVleet was out for the second consecutive game … Leonard shot 8-for-14, and added six assists and five rebounds … Lou Williams poured in 13 points in the second quarter … The Raptors had 14 points in the frame … Toronto pulled within five points with about five minutes left in the third … They didn’t score a basket over the final 3:43 of the period and trailed 88-71 with one quarter left to play … Toronto would come no closer than 14 points from that point on … Lou Williams finished with 18 points while Maurice Harkless had 14 and Paul George 13.
1 2 3 4 TOT
LA CLIPPERS 27 37 24 24 112
TORONTO 32 14 25 21 92
LAST TIME…
50+ points Toronto: 52, DeMar DeRozan, Jan. 1, 2018 vs. Milwaukee (OT). Opponent: 50, Damian Lillard; Mar. 4, 2016 vs. Portland.
40+ points Toronto: 44, Pascal Siakam; Nov. 8, 2019 at New Orleans. Opponent: 42, Russell Westbrook; Mar. 20, 2019 at Oklahoma City (OT). Back-to-back 40+ points Toronto: DeMar DeRozan; Mar. 21, 2017 vs. Chicago OT (42) and Mar. 23, 2017 at Miami (40).
20+ rebounds Toronto: 23, Jonas Valanciunas, Jan. 10, 2017 vs. Boston. Opponent: 22, Andre Drummond, Oct. 30, 2019 vs. Detroit.
20-point, 20-rebound games Toronto: Chris Bosh, Nov. 14, 2006 at Golden State (23 points, 22 rebounds). Opponent: Andre Drummond, Oct. 30, 2019 vs. Detroit (21 points, 22 rebounds).
Triple-doubles Toronto: Kyle Lowry, Mar. 8, 2019 at New Orleans (13 points, 12 assists, 11 rebounds). Opponent: Russell Westbrook, Dec. 5, 2019 vs. Houston (19 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists).
Two 30+ scorers Toronto: Pascal Siakam (36), Fred VanVleet (30); Nov. 13, 2018 at Portland. Opponent: Stephen Curry (35), Kevin Durant (30); Nov. 16, 2016 vs. Golden State.
Three 20+ scorers Toronto: Pascal Siakam (34), Fred VanVleet (25), Norman Powell (20); Nov. 23 at Atlanta. Opponent: Harrison Barnes (26), Bogdan Bogdanovic (22), Buddy Hield (21); Nov. 6 vs. Sacramento.
Four 20+ scorers Toronto: Kawhi Leonard (30), Pascal Siakam (30), Serge Ibaka (25), Fred VanVleet (21); Jan. 5, 2019 at Milwaukee. Opponent: Monta Ellis (27), Dorell Wright (26), Stephen Curry (23), David Lee (21); Mar. 25, 2011 at Golden State.
Three Double Figure Rebounders Toronto: Serge Ibaka (14), Kawhi Leonard (11), Jonas Valanciunas (10); Nov. 7, 2018 at Sacramento. Opponent: Russell Westbrook (13), Clint Capela (13), P.J. Tucker (11); Dec. 5, 2019 vs. Houston.
Three Players with Double-Doubles Toronto: Pascal Siakam (44 points, 10 rebounds), Kyle Lowry (14 points, 13 assists), Serge Ibaka (10 points, 13 rebounds); Feb. 13 vs. Washington. Opponent: Montrezl Harrell (14 points, 11 rebounds), Kawhi Leonard (12 points, 11 rebounds), JaMychal Green (10 points, 12 rebounds); Nov. 11, 2019 at LA Clippers.
Four Players with Double-Doubles Toronto: Andrea Bargnani (28 points, 10 rebounds), Shawn Marion (16 points, 15 rebounds), Jose Calderon (13 points, 11 assists), Chris Bosh (11 points, 12 rebounds); Feb. 22, 2009 vs. New York. Opponent: Brevin Knight (19 points, 10 assists), Jumaine Jones (17 points, 11 rebounds), Gerald Wallace (11 points, 14 rebounds), Raymond Felton (10 points, 12 assists); Apr. 9, 2006 vs. Charlotte.
Brooklyn Nets (13-11) at Toronto Raptors (16-8) Game #25 Road Game #13 December 14, 2019 7:30 PM EST Scotiabank Arena TV: YES Network / NBA TV WFAN 101.9 FM / 660 AM
PROBABLE STARTERS
[F ] JOE HARRIS #12 • VIRGINIA (6th Season) • 6-6 • 220
2019-20 Averages
14.5 ppg 3.9 rpg 2.1 apg 31.6 mpg
Notables • Originally signed with the Nets on July 19, 2016 and resigned with the team on July 24, 2018. • In 2018-19, became the first player in Nets history to lead the league in 3FG % (.474), and the first player in franchise history to win the 3-Point Contest at All-Star weekend.
Last Game :9 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts 29 mins 12/11 vs. CHA
Notables • Acquired via trade with Atlanta on 7/6/19 and signed a multiyear contract extension with Brooklyn on 10/21/19. • Has already registered four double-doubles this season after posting five in his first three NBA seasons combined (all in the 2017-18 season). Last Game 6 pts, 5 rebs, 3 asts 34 mins 12/11 vs. CHA
[ C ] JARRETT ALLEN #31 • TEXAS (3rd Season) • 6-11 • 243
2019-20Averages
12.7 ppg 10.5 rpg 1.3 bpg 26.5 mpg
Notables • Selected by the Nets with the 22nd pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and had his 2020-21 team option exercised on 10/14/19. • Leads all players 21 and under in rpg and is among the top three among players 21 and under in double-doubles and bpg. Last Game 21 pts, 10 rebs, 2 asts 26 mins 12/11 vs. CHA
Notables • Is in his first season with Brooklyn after signing with the Nets as a free agent on 7/8/19. • Has made a career-high-tying six 3-pointers twice this season (11/27 at Boston and 12/4 at Atlanta) after doing so once in his first nine NBA seasons.
Last Game 11 pts, 2 rebs, 4 asts 32 mins 12/11 vs. CHA
Notables • Originally signed with the Nets on December 8, 2016 and re-signed a multi-year contract on December 14, 2018. • Earned his first-career Player of the Week honor for games played from 11/18 – 11/24, and is currently averaging career bests for ppg, FTM, FTA, FT %, offensive rating and usage. Last Game 24 pts, 5 rebs, 6 asts 33 mins 12/11 vs. CHA
IF THE NETS WIN It would give the Nets their fourth win in their last five games (ninth win in their last 12 contests). It would improve Brooklyn’s road record to 7-6. The last time the Nets were over .500 on the road came at the end of the 2012-13 season (2318 road record). It would give Brooklyn a season-high-tying third straight road win, and mark the Nets’ sixth win in their last seven road games (since 11/16 at Chicago). It would snap Brooklyn’s eight-game road losing skid in Toronto (last road win over the Raptors: 109-93 on 2/4/15). The eight straight losses marks Brooklyn’s longest active road losing streak against any Eastern Conference opponent. It would improve Brooklyn’s record against Atlantic Division opponents this season to 4-1.
NETS POST 9-4 MARK AFTER 4-7 START
LINEUP: Brooklyn’s starting five of Dinwiddie, Temple, Harris, Prince and Allen is +47 in 211 minutes in the last 13 games. Since 11/16, the only five-man unit to play more minutes is Denver’s starting five of Murray, Harris, Barton, Millsap and Jokic (+38 in 237 minutes). Of the 47 five-man lineups to play 50+ minutes since 11/16, Brooklyn’s starting five has recorded the second-best plus/minus in the league, trailing Dallas’ Doncic, Hardaway Jr., Finney-Smith, Powell and Porzingis (+51). All five starters have averaged double digit scoring in this 13-game stretch: Dinwiddie (23.8), Harris (15.8), Allen (15.6), Prince (13.2) and Temple (12.7). The current starting five has started 13 straight. The last time the Nets had the same starting five for more than 13 straight came in 2015-16, when Donald Sloan, Wayne Ellington, Joe Johnson, Thad Young and Brook Lopez started 20 straight games from 1/11 – 2/23/16. STANDINGS: Prior to 11/16, Brooklyn was 4-7, tied for the ninth-best record in the Eastern Conference.
TEAM NOTABLES RANKS: The Nets attempt the third-fewest mid-range shots/game (6.5), and attempt the most shots/game from within the restricted area (35.3). Brooklyn allows the third-most shots from mid-range/game (14.7). The Nets register the fewest post-ups/game (1.0) in the league (next-fewest: Houston’s 2.4). The Nets are holding their opponents to .584 FG % in the restricted area, the fourth-best mark in the league, trailing Miwaukee (.540), Toronto (.545) and Indiana (.571).
FOUR FACTORS: The Nets are 14th in effective FG % (.524), second in offensive rebound % (.298), trailing only the Clippers, 13th in FTA rate (.265) and 19th in turnover % (.153).
CLUTCH: In ‘clutch’ situations this season (last five minutes of a game with the point differential at five or less), Brooklyn is a league-best +38. The Nets are third in the league in ‘clutch’ games (17), and tied for second in ‘clutch’ wins (10), trailing Philadelphia (12).
PLAYER NOTABLES Since assuming the starting point guard role with Kyrie Irving out (the last 13 games/since 11/16 at Chicago), Spencer Dinwiddie ranks fifth in the East in ppg (23.8), trailing Giannis Antetokounmpo (31.2), Trae Young (28.3), Bradley Beal (25.7) and Zach LaVine (24.7). Dinwiddie is fourth in the East in apg (7.5) in that time, trailing Ben Simmons (9.4), Young (8.3) and Devonte’ Graham (7.7). Dinwiddie is eighth in the league in drives/game (16.5), and second in the East, trailing only the league leader in drives, Trae Young (19.6). Jarrett Allen is third in the league in FG % (.669), trailing Rudy Gobert and Richaun Holmes, is second in dunks (76), trailing Antetokounmpo (84), third in offensive rebound % (.134), trailing Enes Kanter and Andre Drummond, fourth in offensive rpg (3.8) and tied for 10th in rpg (10.5). DeAndre Jordan is sixth in the league in rebound % (.196), fifth in defensive rebound % (.285), fifth in effective FG % (.693) and leads the league in rpg off the bench (8.8) in 18 games off the bench. Joe Harris is 15th in the league in 3FG % (.438), and seventh among players with 100+ 3FGA. Harris has made 485 threes as a Net, matching Deron Williams for fifth on the Nets’ all-time 3-pointers made list.
BACK-TO-BACK SET The Nets tip off their third of 11 back-to-backs this season at Toronto before taking on the Sixers tomorrow evening in Brooklyn. The Nets are 2-0 in the first game of a back-to-back this season, topping Houston on 11/1 in Brooklyn (123-116) and winning at New York on 11/24 (103-101). The Nets have already swept one back-to-back this season (11/24 at New York and 11/25 at Cleveland) after sweeping three of their 14 back-to-backs last season. Brooklyn’s two opponents in this back-to-back are currently the third and fifth seeds in the East, with a combined record of 35-15. Toronto is 9-3 at home this season. Philadelphia is 6-7 on the road (13-0 at home).
CHICAGO — It has been clear for a while — really since the moment Kawhi Leonard jumped ship for the Los Angeles Clippers — that Pascal Siakam would become the Raptors new No. 1 scoring option. Nick Nurse knew it and Pascal Siakam knew it. Every player on the roster knew it. And for a […]
CHICAGO — Any proponent of abolishing back-to-back games in the NBA had to be rushing to grab tape of the first half of last night’s Raptors-Bulls game. Certainly that second quarter had to be a must-have for any such individual. “Running in mud” as Dwane Casey was fond of saying of a game like this […]
GAME #23 – TORONTO RAPTORS (15-7) vs. CHICAGO BULLS (8-16) MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2019 – 8 P.M. (ET) – UNITED CENTER TV: SPORTSNET – RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
INJURY REPORT AS OF 1:30P.M. MONDAY
TOR@CHI
Chicago Bulls Felicio, Cristiano Out Injury/Illness – Right Wrist; Fracture – Hutchison, Chandler Out Injury/Illness – Right Shoulder; Sprain – Mokoka, Adam Out G League – Two-Way – Porter Jr., Otto Out Injury/Illness – Left Foot; Bone bruise – Strus, Max Out G League – Two-Way – White, Coby Probable Injury/Illness – Right Hamstring; TIghtness –
Toronto Raptors Brissett, Oshae Out G League – Two-Way – Hernandez, Dewan Out G League – On Assignment – Johnson, Stanley Out Injury/Illness – Left Groin; Stress reaction – McCaw, Patrick Out Injury/Illness – Left Knee; Surgery – Ponds, Shamorie Out G League – Two-Way – Thomas, Matt Out Injury/Illness – Left Finger; Middle; fracture – distal phalanx – VanVleet, Fred Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Contusion
NOTE-A-BULL FOR TONIGHT Dating to Dec. 2 at Sacramento, Lauri Markkanen has made four three-point field goals in each of his last four outings. This is the longest such streak with four-plus threes of his career and it is tied for the longest such streak by a Bulls player in team history, which was originally set by Nikola Mirotić from March 22-30, 2017. Only two players in the league have accomplished this in five straight games this seasons, Houston’s James Harden (six games) and Washington’s Davis Bertans (five).
TEAM NOTE-A-BULLS Chicago is forcing the opposition to the turn the ball over a league-best 18.3 times per game this season. Its opponents have committed 20-or-more turnovers seven times this season, which are tied for the most occurrences in the league. Over its last 10 games, Chicago opponents are shooting .322 from beyond the arc. The only other teams in the league whose opposition is shooting a worse 3-point field goal percentage in its last 10 contests are Denver (.306) Dallas (.306). Overall, Bulls opponents this season are shooting .327 from 3-point range, the third-lowest percentage in the league. As a team, the Bulls have totaled 401 deflections, which are the most among Eastern Conference teams and ranks third in the league. The Chicago Bulls 515 points off turnovers are the most in the league. The next closest team are the L.A. Lakers with 455. Chicago’s 228 steals lead the league. Since 1983-84, the only other seasons in team history the Bulls had more steals through their first 24 games was 1994-95 (231) and 1990-91 (248). Across the first 23 games of the 2019-20 season, the Bulls are outscoring the opposition, 634-597, in the first quarter. The +37 point differential in the opening frame is the fourth-best in the Eastern Conference and seventh in the league. Over the last five seasons, .861 percent of teams that finish the season with a positive +/- in the first quarter have made the postseason. The Bulls held the Heat to 49 first-half points on Sunday representing the fifth time in its last 10 games Chicago opponents have scored 50-or-less points in a game’s opening half. Overall, the Bulls are allowing the opposition to score an average of 52.2 points per first half this season, which is the sixth lowest average in the league. Chicago knocked down 13 threes on Sunday, representing the team’s sixth consecutive contest with 10-plus 3-point field goals dating back to Nov. 29 at Portland. This is tied for the fourth-longest such streak in team history and it is the longest since they did it in seven straight from Oct. 22-Nov. 2, 2018. The Bulls, 106-99, win against the Grizzlies on Wednesday was the team’s first wire-to-wire victory of the season. The first half on Wednesday saw Chicago outscore Memphis, 50-35. The Grizzlies’ 35 points were the fewest the Bulls had allowed in a game’s opening half since they held the Nets to 32 points in the first half on April 12, 2017. The last time Chicago held a Western Conference opponent to fewer points in a first half was Dec. 8, 2016 against San Antonio (32 points). Chicago swatted a season-high 13 shots on Wednesday, the most they have had in a single game since blocking 18 shots on Jan. 1, 2015 vs. Denver.
PLAYER NOTE-A-BULLS Coby White made three of his attempts from 3-point range on Sunday bringing his career total to 51 threes. He is the only rookie this season who has totaled at least 50 3-point field goals and he is ninth player in league history to make 50-or-more threes within a player’s first 24 career games. He joins Markkanen (55 threes) as the only Bulls in team history to accomplish this. On Sunday, White dished out a career-high eight assists, which were the most in a single game by a Bulls rookie since Derrick Rose had 11 assists on April 15, 2009 against Toronto. Thaddeus Young on Sunday went 5-10 (.500) from field, good for his 339th career game with a field-goal percentage of at least .500 when attempting 10-or-more shots. The 339 occurrences are the ninth-most among active players. With 18 points on Sunday, Zach LaVine’s season total now stands at 536. He is one of 13 players in the league and one of five in the Eastern Conference to reach the 500-point mark this season. This is the second consecutive season in which LaVine has totaled at least 500 points within the team’s first 25 games of a campaign. He joins current member of the Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler (twice), as the only Chicago players to accomplish this multiple times since 2000-01. Satoransky’s five assists on Friday moved his career total to 900 assists (now 902). With 291 career turnovers, he joins Memphis’ Tyus Jones (928 assists, 207 turnovers) as the only active players in the league with at least 900 assists and fewer than 300 turnovers. Kris Dunn (three steals) recorded his 14th multi-steal game of the season on Sunday, which are tied for the most such games in the league. His 48 total steals are the second-most in the league. White hit four shots beyond the arc on Friday, his fifth game of the season with four-plus threes. The five such games are the most among rookies. LaVine on Wednesday dropped a team-high 25 points. In each of Chicago’s four games from Nov. 27-Dec.4, all of which came against a team from the West, LaVine scored 25-plus points. The last Bulls player to accomplish this when Chicago had played at least four consecutive contests against Western Conference opponents was Hall of Famer Michael Jordan in four straight from Nov. 20-25, 1997 (Elias Sports Bureau). Wendell Carter Jr. and Daniel Gafford each blocked four shots on Wednesday. This was the first time two Bulls each blocked at least four shots in a single game since Dec. 2, 2015, versus Denver when Pau Gasol (four) and Joakim Noah (four) each accomplished this. Twelve of Markkanen’s 20 points on Wednesday came from beyond the arc. The four threes brought his career total to 300 (now 312) 3-point field goals. In 141 career games, he became the fifth-fastest player in league history to make 300 threes behind Portland’s Damian Lillard (117 games), Utah’s Donovan Mitchell (132), Minnesota’s Robert Covington (134) and Golden State’s Klay Thompson (138). Satoransky is averaging 5.2 assists and 2.1 turnovers per game this season. He joins Milwaukee’s Eric Bledsoe (5.6 apg, 2.2 tpg.), Indiana’s T.J. McConnell (5.0, 1.5), Washington’s Isaiah Thomas (5.1, 2.2), Toronto’s Fred VanVleet (7.0, 2.4) and Boston’s Kemba Walker (5.0, 2.2) as the only qualifying Eastern Conference players who are averaging at least 5.0 assists and fewer than 2.5 turnovers per game this season. Carter Jr. (106) is one of four players in the league with at least 100 screen assists joining Utah’s Rudy Gobert (163), Indiana’s Domantas Sabonis (162) and Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson (103).
UNCONSCIOUS To cap off his career-best 49-point performance on Nov. 23, Zach LaVine hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds remaining. This was the second time in his Bulls career he made a game-winning shot with 1.0 second-orless remaining in the game. Since 2000-01, he is the only Bulls player to make two such shots.
150 On Nov. 23, Wendell Carter Jr. brought down his 150th career offensive rebound in his 61st career game. He became the fourth-fastest player in team history to reach this total behind Elton Brand (33 games), Charles Oakley (56) and Taj Gibson (57).
WHITE’S NIGHT On Nov. 12 vs. New York, Bulls rookie Coby White scored 27 points. Twenty-three of his points came in fourth quarter, the most by a Bulls rookie in any quarter since 2000-01. He made seven threes in the quarter, an NBA rookie quarter record, and he became the youngest player in NBA history to make at least seven threes in a game. NBA ALL-STAR 2020 Chicago will host 69th annual NBA All-Star at the United Center on Sunday, Feb. 16, marking the third NBA All-Star in Chicago. In addition to the All-Star Game, the United Center will be the venue for the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 14, as well as State Farm All-Star Saturday Night, which features the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, the JBL Three-Point Contest and the Verizon Slam Dunk. Wintrust Arena, home of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, will host the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and All-Star Game practices.
(14-7) HOUSTON ROCKETS, 119 VS. (15-6) TORONTO RAPTORS, 109 SCOTIABANK ARENA THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2019
TORONTO RAPTORS QUOTES
NICK NURSE (HEAD COACH)
On the amount of threes Houston took… I think that we gave up a couple too many. I think there is a twenty number there and there was a couple of crucial ones and things like that. But I don’t think we played offence well enough. I thought we missed open shots, we just didn’t shoot it very well on the back end. We had a few careless possessions where they scored in transition so it really had nothing to do with the double teams or the offensive rebounding. I think the transition defence hurt us, they did a good job of capitalizing whenever we turned it over and I just think we didn’t play offence well enough either. We didn’t shoot well enough and we didn’t play it well enough.
Is it players not moving on offence? It was just us not being as sharp as we needed to be versus the switching. We really gave in to the switching and when you are switching all over the floor you are trying to keep the ball in front of you and when they would make a switch we would make a six or seven dribbles with the same player. That is falling right into what they want you to do. They load up the rest of players and you are playing one on one and you are not getting as good of looks. Then we always say keep playing, just keep playing through the switches, and don’t react to the switches. We have to be better at that. We are normally better than that offensively.
On Pascal Siakam’s aggressiveness… I think again this is a little bit of a learning work in progress with him, about what is going on each night, what coverages he is seeing, where help is coming from etcetera. I think you need to make your moves and be aggressive but when there are more bodies there you got to be able to find the next play out. I think he knows where his spots are and I think he would probably be the first one to say he probably outside of his spots where he was, makes that spin move and he is not quite to where he wants to be. Well, those probably have to go out, but again it’s a little bit of a learning process and finding those things and we got to be good to get the spacing right, the relocation right and all that stuff so he does have an outlet and space to operate in.
PASCAL SIAKAM (24 points, nine rebounds)
Were you satisfied with how aggressive you were offensively tonight?
I think I did a decent job early on. I got into it a little bit, with the fouls and I felt like, maybe it was fouls, but I have to find a way to not let that take me out of my game or out of rhythm, and just continue to play. But I think early on I was aggressive enough, got a couple of fouls, but I think I did a decent job, you know maybe out there in the fourth quarter finding other ways to score and attack better. I think overall I’m pretty satisfied with what we did. We didn’t play as well, we were banking on them not making shots and they did, so you are going to take that and that was the game plan. Maybe we could have executed a little better, but we will take that.
On double-teaming Harden as much you did… At the end of the day you have to give something up. If we doubled Harden that means someone is going to be open and like I said, we were banking on them not making those shots and they did. I don’t know if you are happy with the result, but that’s what you want to give up; you are going to take that.
FRED VANVLEET (20 points, six rebounds, five assists) On the risk versus reward of doubling Harden…
I thought we did a pretty good job on executing our game plan. I don’t think you make that gamble expecting them to shoot 40 percent and make 22, so give those guys credit, they knocked down shots. That’s what we came up with before the game and you just try to go out there and execute the game plan to the best of your ability. I thought we could have flew around a little bit more, chased down some rebounds to be perfect in it, but for the most part we did a pretty good job. I just thought our offence got stalled out at times and didn’t really help us as much. What did they score, 120 or 119? We would have needed to score a bit more and make some more shots and that’s the game, you roll the dice sometimes and sometimes you lose.
KYLE LOWRY (19 points, five rebounds, eight assists)
On the defensive game plan tonight… I’m not happy we lost the game. At the end of the day, coach and coaching staff put this game plan in and we followed it. We took a chance and we believed in it as players, and they made shots. Ben McLemore eight threes, PJ Tucker, five. Those guys made shots and made threes.
On taking a few games to integrate players back into lineup… You do have a full team and you get guys back. I know people say this, that and the other, but you have to have a full team. When you get everybody healthy, everyone has to find themselves again. It takes time and you know two games, we are 15-6 and I’m sure the world, the earth, is not falling right now, so we are just going to get better and worry about ourselves and continue to get better.
HOUSTON ROCKETS QUOTES
MIKE D’ANTONI (HEAD COACH)
Did you expect them to come out of that (double team of James Harden) to take something else away? They’re known to change up, I didn’t know what they were going to do, triangle and two, box and one, whatever. But the other guys stepped up and James (Harden) is more than happy to just draw the double team. Other than Russ (Russell Westbrook) and James, we took 40 threes and made 19 of them. That’s what you’ve got to do, is wide open shots just knock them down. We put up 119 with James only having 23, so that’s good.
On James contributing defensively as well…
He’s one of our better defenders. A post defender, he’s one of the best in the league and then when he’s on somebody he wants to stop, he carries such a burden sometimes he has lapses as anybody who gets tired would, but he’s a very good defender. He did it tonight, he took the challenge.
DANUEL HOUSE JR. (16 points, three assists)
On Toronto’s defense… We were just trying to find the best open shot. It didn’t matter who took the open shot, we just wanted to make sure that we were all contributing and making the right basketball play to help us win.
Did it surprise you that Toronto stuck with that defense all game? Yeah. After guys start hitting a few shots usually coaches change their defensive scheme. I guess they felt like we were going to cool down, but when you’re giving guys – NBA pros – open looks like that, especially with the amount of time we had, guys are going to knock it down all night.
JAMES HARDEN (23 points, seven rebounds, three assists, five steals)
How much better do you feel the team is at executing against some of these defenses? We’re good. We’re good, especially when we are making shots. We’ve seen so many different defenses throughout the course of the year. Tonight was the first time seeing this defense, but guys did an unbelievable job of moving their bodies and being ready to shoot.
With that many corner threes did you think they were going to change their defensive scheme? I don’t know what they were thinking, but they did a really good job of packing the paint. Even without that defense they are one of the top three in paint points, so we knew we were going to have open threes.
Did you expect to see the blitz for 48 minutes? Nope, and I’ve been seeing it all year long, all year long. All year long I’ve been seeing it, so nothing changed that’s why it was no surprise. That’s why we were able to capitalize like we did. If teams want to go at us like that, it’s opportunities for guys to step up, which I think everybody did.
KEY RUN Leading 101-100 with 8:39 remaining in the fourth, Houston went on a 12-3 to push the lead to 10 with 6:34 left … Toronto would cut the deficit to six twice in the final four minutes but couldn’t pull any closer.
KEY STAT The Rockets set opponent franchise records in both three-point field goals made and attempted (22-for-55) for a single game … Ben McLemore led the attack from beyond the arc with a career-high eight three-pointers … McLemore’s 17 three-point attempts were also the most attempted by an opposing player in franchise history.
RAPTORS NOTES:
• With the loss, Toronto falls to 15-6 this season and 9-2 at home … The Raptors have lost consecutive games first the first time this season … Toronto begins a two-game road trip Sunday at Philadelphia.
• The Raptors outscored Houston 50-28 in the paint
. • Fred VanVleet finished with 20 points in 38 minutes – his sixth 20-point game in the last eight games … VanVleet is averaging 21.3 points during this stretch. • The Raptors had five players score double figures – Pascal Siakam (24), VanVleet (20), Kyle Lowry (19), Norman Powell (14) and Serge Ibaka (10) … Siakam led the team in scoring for the 13th time … Powell has now scored 10 or more points in 10 of the last 11 games.
ROCKETS NOTES: • With the win, Houston improves to 14-7 on the season and 6-5 on the road … The Rockets have won three of their last four games … The victory snapped a three-game winless streak on the road.
• Houston has now won three in a row vs. Toronto, including its last two trips north of the border.
• The Rockets outrebounded Toronto 54-45, including 20-12 on the offensive glass … Houston had a 24-16 scoring advantage second chance points.
• Ben McLemore scored a season-high 28 points in 29 minutes – his fourth 20-point game of the season and second in the last three games … Someone other than James Harden led the Rockets in scoring for the first time since Russell Westbrook paced Houston in points on opening night (Oct. 24) with 24.
• James Harden recorded 23 points and a season-high five steals in 40 minutes. • Russell Westbrook posted his second consecutive triple-double and fifth of the season with 19 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in 36 minutes of action … Westbrook’s six career triple-doubles against the Raptors are the most by any player.
• The Rockets had five players score in double digits – McLemore (28), Harden (23), Westbrook (19), PJ Tucker (18) and Danuel House Jr. (16).
MIA@TOR Miami Heat Dragic, Goran Out Injury/Illness – Right Groin; Strain – Okpala, KZ Out Injury/Illness – Left Achilles; Strain – Toronto Raptors Brissett, Oshae Out G League – On Assignment – Hernandez, Dewan Out G League – On Assignment – Johnson, Stanley Out Injury/Illness – Left Groin; Stress reaction – Lowry, Kyle Doubtful Injury/Illness – Left Thumb; Fracture – distal phalanx – McCaw, Patrick Out Injury/Illness – Left Knee; Surgery – Ponds, Shamorie Out G League – Two-Way – Thomas, Matt Out Injury/Illness – Left Finger; Middle; fracture – distal phalanx
RAPTORS NOTES
• The Toronto Raptors continue a three-game homestand (Nov. 1-5) Tuesday night when they host the Miami Heat at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto has won a season-high seven straight games (Nov. 18 – Dec. 1). The Raptors swept the season-series (4-0) with Miami in 2018-19 for the second time in franchise history. Pascal Siakam averaged 18.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in four victories over the Heat last season. Toronto is 13-5 against the Heat over the past five seasons (2014-19), winning the season-series four times during this stretch.
• Toronto has set a franchise record with nine straight victories at home to begin the season. The Raptors won seven consecutive games at Scotiabank Arena to open the 2018-19 campaign. Toronto is one of just four teams in the NBA still without a loss at home, joining Boston (7-0), Miami (8-0) and Philadelphia (9-0). The Raptors’ average margin of victory at home this season is +15.3 points, with five double-digit victories.
• Pascal Siakam scored a game-high 35 points (14-22 FG, 5-9 3PT, 2-2 FT), including 19 in the first quarter, Dec. 1 vs. Utah. His 19 points in the opening frame tied a career high for points in a quarter. Siakam also scored 19 points in the third quarter Feb. 13, 2019 vs. Washington and Oct. 30, 2019 vs. Detroit.
• Toronto led 77-37 at the half Wednesday night vs. Utah. Pascal Siakam scored 26 points and the Raptors had 21 assists on 29 made field goals in the first two quarters. The 40-point lead was the largest halftime lead in franchise history, the biggest halftime lead in the NBA this season, the largest halftime deficit in Jazz team history, and tied for the eighth-biggest lead at the half in NBA history.
• The Raptors will play 11 of 16 games at home in the month of December after playing eight of 13 on the road in November. December is Toronto’s busiest month of the season and includes three back-to-back sets. The Raptors’ 11 games at Scotiabank Arena tie the franchise record for most home games in a calendar month – Toronto also played 11 games at home in March 2016.
• Pascal Siakam has now scored 30 or more points in eight of the first 19 games of the season, including three times in the last five games (Nov. 23 – Dec. 1). Siakam’s eight 30-point outings in the first 20 games are second most in Raptors history behind only DeMar DeRozan who scored 30+ points 10 times in the first 20 games during the 2016-17 campaign.
• The Raptors shot a season-high .528 (19-for-36) from three-point range Dec. 1 vs. Utah. Toronto has made 51 three-point field goals over the last three games, shooting .443 (51-for-115) from beyond the arc. Fred VanVleet (12) and Pascal Siakam (11) have combined for 23 threes during this stretch. Toronto currently leads the NBA in three-point percentage (.389) and ranks fourth in three-pointers made per game (14.5), Houston (15.7), New Orleans (15.0) and Dallas (14.5).
• Fred VanVleet has scored 20 or more points in five of the past six games (Nov. 20 – Dec. 1). VanVleet is averaging 21.8 points, while shooting .468 (44-94) from the floor and .409 (18-44) from three-point distance during this stretch. VanVleet has now reached the 20-point mark nine times this season; something he did seven times in his first three seasons combined (2016-19).
• Recorded 10 points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists in 30 minutes Dec. 1 vs. Utah. • Ranks ninth in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage (.470); has made three or more threes six times. • Toronto is a perfect 10-0 this season when Anunoby scores 10 or more points (Last: 10 – Dec. 1 vs. Utah).
• Posted a game-high 35 points, five rebounds, and five assists in 35 minutes Dec. 1 vs. Utah. • Ranks 11th in the NBA in scoring (25.6) and fifth in minutes per game (36.8). • Has scored 30+ points eight times; had five 30-point performances in 80 games played last season.
• Finished with 11 points, six assists, and five rebounds in 25 minutes Dec. 1 vs. Utah. • Reached 12,000 career points in the NBA Nov. 16 at Dallas. • Has collected 10+ rebounds three times this season, including a season-high 12 rebounds Nov. 2 at Milwaukee.
• Totaled 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and a season-high four steals in 33 minutes Dec. 1 vs. Utah. • Averaging 15.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 31 minutes in 11 games as a starter. • Has scored in double figures in 10 of the last 11 games (Nov. 8 – Dec. 1); averaging 16.0 points during this span.
• Recorded 21 points, five rebounds and a season high-tying 11 assists in 32 minutes Dec. 1 vs. Utah. • Leads the NBA in minutes per game (37.5) and ranked eighth in assists per game (7.5). • Toronto is 8-1 this season when VanVleet scores 20 or more points (Last: 21 – Dec. 1 vs. Utah).
INJURY REPORT
Stanley Johnson (Left groin; stress reaction) – Out; Kyle Lowry (Left thumb; distal phalanx fracture) – TBD ;Patrick McCaw (Left knee; surgery) – Out ;Matt Thomas (Left middle finger; distal phalanx fracture) – Out
GAME 81 – APRIL 7, 2019 TORONTO 117, MIAMI 109 (OT)
TORONTO – Pascal Siakam had 23 points and 10 rebounds, Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points and the Toronto Raptors beat Miami 117-109 in overtime … Norman Powell matched his season high with 23 points, Danny Green scored seven of his 21 points in overtime and OG Anunoby had 12 as Toronto won its fourth straight over the Heat … Dwyane Wade scored 21 points and James Johnson had 18 for the Heat, who have lost a season-high four straight …Dion Waiters scored 17 points, Justise Winslow had 15 and Hassan Whiteside 14 … With the score tied 103-103, Wade and Leonard each missed 3-pointers in the final 35 seconds of regulation … The Heat called timeout with 10 seconds left after grabbing Leonard’s miss, but couldn’t capitalize … James Johnson missed a potential winning jumper, and Bam Adebayo couldn’t beat the buzzer with his layup … Green opened the extra session with a 3, then added a layup to put Toronto up five, the biggest margin for either team since the start of the fourth quarter … The Raptors outscored the Heat 16-6 in overtime … The crowd of 19,800 rose for a brief ovation when Wade checked in for the first time at 6:18 of the first … The 16-year veteran intends to retire at the end of the season.
1 2 3 4 OT TOT
MIAMI 26 31 22 24 6 109
TORONTO 25 25 28 25 14 117
NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: Houston Rockets Date: Thursday, December 5 Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: TSN Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN
Serge Ibaka missed 10 games (Nov. 10-29) due to a right ankle sprain; sustained the injury late in the first half Nov. 8 at New Orleans. •Returned Sunday to score 13 points against Utah. • Led the bench in scoring the first seven games of the season; averaged 14.9 points and scored in double figures six times during this span. • Scored a season-high 21 points and grabbed six rebounds Nov. 6 vs. Sacramento. • Blocked a season-best four shots Nov. 2 at Milwaukee. • Recorded nine points and a season-high 10 rebounds Oct. 28 vs. Orlando. • Inactive 10 times.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson tied a season high with 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds Nov. 25 vs. Philadelphia. • Finished with 15 points and eight rebounds Nov. 18 vs. Charlotte. • Posted first double-double as a Raptor with season highs of 16 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes Nov. 13 at Portland. • Scored 10 points Nov. 10 at LA Lakers. • DNP (left groin soreness) Nov. 8 at New Orleans. • Played four minutes in Raptors debut Oct. 26 at Chicago. • Inactive for the first two games of the season (Oct. 22-25) with left groin soreness. • Inactive three times. DNP four times.
Terence Davis II scored in double digits in four of five games (Nov. 18-27); averaging 13.4 points. • Finished with 15 points and a team-high five assists Nov. 27 vs. New York; led the team in assists for the first time. • Set career highs with 19 points (7-10 FG, 3-5 3PT, 2-2 FT) and eight rebounds in 27 minutes Nov. 20 vs. Orlando. • Recorded 16 points and a career-best seven assists Nov. 18 vs. Charlotte; scored all 16 points in the fourth quarter. • Totaled five points (2-6 FG, 1-3 3PT) and five rebounds in 15 minutes in NBA debut Oct. 22 vs. New Orleans.
PROBABLE HEAT LINEUP
POS PLAYER HT WT PPG RPG AST MISC. NOTES
F 22 JIMMY BUTLER (Marquette)
6-7 230 18.7 5.4 6.6
Leads the NBA in steals per game (2.47).
F 13 BAM ADEBAYO (Kentucky)
6-9 255 13.8 10.3 4.4
Has posted 11 double-doubles this season, helping Miami to a 10-1 record in those games.
C 0 MEYERS LEONARD (Illinois)
7-0 260 6.1 4.2 0.8
Is second in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage at 52.9% (18-of-34). (Minimum 15 attempts)
G 55 DUNCAN ROBINSON (Michigan)
6-7 215 10.7 2.4 0.8
Hit seven three-point field goals in the second quarter on 11/20 vs. CLE, the most for a quarter in franchise history.
G 25 KENDRICK NUNN (Oakland)
6-2 190 16.4 2.4 3.2
His 16.1 scoring average this season is the third-highest by a rookie.
TV: FOX Sports Sun (Eric Reid, John Crotty, Jason Jackson) Radio: The Ticket 790AM & The HEAT Radio Network (Mike Inglis) Spanish Radio: WAQI 710AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
Series Notes: The HEAT and Raptors meet for the first of three matchups this regular season. Last season, Toronto swept the season series, 4-0, after Miami won the previous season series, 2-1. The HEAT is 52-34 all-time versus the Raptors during the regular season, including 31-14 in Miami and 21-20 on the road.
HOT TAKES: Tyler Herro (29 points) and Goran Dragić (21 points) each posted a 20-point performance off the bench in the same game on 10/29 vs. ATL, marking just the 12th time in franchise history two players each posted 20-point games in the same contest as reserves. Miami is defeating opponents by an average of +14.1 points in wins this season, the third-highest margin in the NBA. The HEAT has recorded at least 30 assists five times this season, the most through the first 19 games of a season in team history. Miami has scored at least 70 first half points three times this season, already the most in any season in franchise history. The HEAT has totaled 2,116 points this season, the most through the first 19 games of a season in franchise history. Of Miami’s five loses this season, three of them have come on the second night of a back-to-back set on the road. The HEAT are a perfect 10-0 this season when scoring at least 110 points.
RISING ROOKIES: The HEAT’s rookies are averaging 33.8 points this season, the highest average in the Eastern Conference and the second-highest overall average in the NBA, only the Golden State Warriors’ 34.0ppg is higher. Additionally, Miami’s 33.8 rookie scoring average is currently the second-highest during a single-season in team history.
GETTING DEFENSIVE: The HEAT’s defense ranks among the best in the NBA, ranking second in three-point field goal percentage allowed (.315), second in steals per game (8.95), second in opponent rebounds per game (40.4), third in forced turnovers per game (16.7), fourth in field goals allowed (713), tied for fourth in total steals (170), tied for sixth in opponent plus/minus (-119), seventh in defensive rating (103.5) and seventh in total points allowed (1,997).
UNDRAFTED: Kendrick Nunn has totaled 306 points in the first 19 games of the season. His 306 points are the third-most by an undrafted NBA player in their first 19 games dating back to the 1963-64 season.
HOME SWEET HOME: The HEAT are a perfect 8-0 in Miami this season, tying the best home start in franchise history with the 2012-13 team that also started a perfect 8-0. Miami has recorded a +18.1 scoring margin at home this season, the highest in the entire NBA. Additionally, the last time the HEAT trailed at home at any point after the first quarter came on opening night back on October 23 vs. MEM, marking as the longest such current home streak in the league and the longest since San Antonio also accomplished the feat in seven-straight home games from 3/15/15 – 4/5/15. 2019-20 MIAMI HEAT GAME NOTES PAGE 4
20-PLUS: Kendrick Nunn scored at least 20 points in three consecutive games from 11/12 – 11/16 after recording a team-high 20 points vs. DET on 11/12 in a, 117-108, win, a game-high 23 points at CLE on 11/14 in a, 108-97, victory and then a team-high 22 points in a, 109-94, victory vs. NO on 11/16. That marks as the last HEAT rookie to post at least three consecutive 20-point games since Michael Beasley accomplished the feat in five straight games from 4/7/09 – 4/15/09.
COMEBACK KIDS: The HEAT were down by 21 points, 74-53, about a minute into the third quarter on 10/26 before they came back to win, 131126, in overtime at MIL. The 21-point comeback win was their largest since 11/1/15 when they also overcame a 21-point deficit vs. HOU. Additionally, it was their largest comeback on the road since 3/20/13 when they overcame a 27-point deficit at CLE.
TYLER TUESDAY: Tyler Herro scored 29 points vs. ATL on Tuesday 10/29, all off the bench, marking the most by a rookie reserve in franchise history. The previous record was held by Michael Beasley when he scored 28 points off the bench on 3/4/09 vs. PHO. His 29-point effort was also the most points by a HEAT rookie since Dwyane Wade scored 31 points on 2/17/04 vs. UT. Herro scored 19 of his points in the second quarter, the most by a HEAT rookie in a quarter since Caron Butler also scored 19 points in the third quarter on 3/10/03 vs. UT. Additionally, his 29 points off the bench tied for the fifth-most by a HEAT reserve in HEAT history.
HOT START: The HEAT started the game on a 15-0 run at CHI on 11/22, marking their best start to a game since their 18-0 start on 1/13/15 at LAL. Additionally, Miami held a 20-point, 31-11, lead in the first quarter, the second time this season the HEAT has had a 20-point advantage in a first quarter with the other occurrence when they had a 32-point first quarter lead vs. HOU on 11/3.
MR. ROBINSON: Duncan Robinson scored 21 points in the second quarter in just 5:11 minutes of action on 11/20 vs. CLE, that marks as the most points in a quarter by any player in just 5:11 or fewer minutes over the last 20 years (when play-by-plays were more accessible). Additionally, Robinson connected on seven three-point field goals in the quarter, the most treys in a quarter in franchise history, surpassing the previous record of six which has been done three separate times.
OFFENSIVE: The HEAT scored 43 points in the second quarter while finishing the first half with 75 points on 11/20 vs. CLE, both tying the franchise records for points in a second quarter and first half. Miami previously scored 43 points in the second quarter on 2/25/11 at WAS and totaled 75 first half points on 11/19/97 vs. LAC. Additionally, the HEAT connected on 10 three-point field goals in the second quarter, the most for any quarter at home in team history and tying the most for any quarter with their 10 made treys in the third quarter at PHI on 10/30/13.
HOT FROM THE FIELD: Miami shot 54.4 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 90.9 percent from the foul line on 11/14 at CLE, marking just the third time in franchise history the HEAT have shot at least those totals in each category. The only two other times in team history were on 1/26/14 vs. SA (58.1% FG, 42.1% 3FG, 95.0% FT) and 1/11/00 at MIN (55.6% FG, 73.3% 3FG, 93.8% FT).
JIMMY BUCKETS: Jimmy Butler became the first player in NBA history to shoot at least 68.8 percent (11-of-16) from the field and be perfect from both three-point range (2-of-2) and the foul line (10-of-10) with at least that many attempts in each category at PHO on 11/7. His 18 first quarter points and 30 first half points were both career-highs. Additionally, only LeBron James (31 pts on 3/18/14 at CLE), Dwyane Wade (31 pts on 2/15/11 at IND) and Sherman Douglas (31 pts on 12/27/90 at DEN) have scored more in a first half in HEAT franchise history.
JIMMY ‘CREATING’ BUCKETS: Jimmy Butler dished out 13 assists without a single turnover vs. DET on 11/12, becoming just the fourth player in team history to have that many assists without a turnover in a single game. Additionally, his 13 assists were just one shy of his career-high of 14 which he set on 3/26/17 at MIN
ROOKIE DEBUT: Kendrick Nunn scored 24 points vs. MEM on 10/23, tying the second-highest scoring game by a rookie on opening night in franchise history, only Willie Burton’s 25-point output on 11/2/90 vs. WAS is higher. Additionally, Nunn’s 24-point game tied the fourth-highest by a player in a HEAT debut. 7
(12-8) UTAH JAZZ, 110 VS. (15-4) TORONTO RAPTORS, 130 SCOTIABANK ARENA SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2019
TORONTO RAPTORS QUOTES
NICK NURSE (HEAD COACH)
On the first half… We really did want to get out there and play with some pace. It is a good half court defensive team, we didn’t want to have to face (Rudy) Gobert at the rim as much as we could. We obviously wanted to get out and play with some pace but creating all those turnovers and getting out and running anytime is going to be good offence.
Was that the best half you have seen from that group? Yes, for sure. Shots were going in, defence was tough each possession, just about every possession. Those things feed each other, the defence feeds the offence.
On the third quarter… I think it was 40 at the half and down inside 20 pretty quickly. The history of it being 40, there is plenty of game left when it’s down to 19 with six to go in the third. That is manageable. We were trying to change some coverages and get a little more active and we just weren’t. They did a good job of getting downhill and firing it out and made all those shots. We just weren’t coming up with any stops – but I don’t really want to talk about that third quarter, if that’s all right. I am happy that we get a 20 point win against a quality team like that, you take that every day of the week.
On Serge Ibaka’s return to the lineup… He has a lot of experience in a lot of big games. He was a little rusty as you could see, but you know I think again, I always say what makes Serge special is when he really gets his motor cooking and he is blocking shots, he is a really intimidating factor in a game. We don’t lose those games very often. We he is cooking and going, he becomes a great presence on defence and his offence has been really solid this year.
On Fred VanVleet having zero turnovers… He handles it low to the ground, right? Uses his body to protect it, he’s got it on a string. I wouldn’t call him super quick but his movements are so deceptive that he will head fake one way and he is by a guy into the open. He just really knows how to play. He has a good knack of again, getting himself in and out of trouble. If he’s getting in trouble, he can escape dribble out of a double team a lot. He has an incredible knack for taking on bigger people at the rim, getting his body into them and somehow getting a pretty good layup up there. I think that is good, then they throw some size at him or they make a switch or whatever, he can score over people and if he can he will keep his dribble alive and squirt out the other side and try and find somebody.
MARC GASOL (11 points, five rebounds, six assists)
How important is it to make shots early with a shot blocker like Rudy Gobert out there? It’s just not the shot, it’s just having the ball out there, post him away from the basket because they want him to pressure me and make those passes at the elbow harder to see. There are different ways to get him away from the basket. Once he goes and collapses, spacing and moving without the ball is kind of important.
Is it strange to see Mike Conley in another jersey? Yeah, but we are so fortunate and it’s just great seeing him happy, healthy and that is all I can ask for. We had a great time last night, a great dinner and catching up, and now I can’t wait to go see his family when we go to Utah.
FRED VANVLEET (21 points, 11 assists, five rebounds)
How tough is it to play with a lead like that at the half? Yeah, it’s tough. It’s probably one of the harder things to do in the league is to play with a lead, especially a big lead like that, against a good team. I don’t think any of us expected to be up by 40 against that team. That’s the way the game goes sometimes and, as poorly as they played in the first half they, played just as good in the third quarter and they were able to shrink the lead a little bit. That’s the point of getting up big is to give yourself a cushion to finish out the game. I thought we did a good job in the fourth.
Are you surprised by the team’s play with guys out? Not really, I think the biggest thing for us was that road trip, just guys that haven’t played and throw them in there and have them fit in seamlessly and play as well as they’ve been playing. So I knew that we had enough talent, the resolve and coaching that we needed to win games. It’s just a matter of plugging guys in that haven’t played and those guys have been playing unbelievable. Not really surprised, more so just pleased with how we’ve been playing and something we need to continue to do and we are about a quarter of the way in, so we’ve got to continue to keep building and getting better. Once everybody gets back, that will probably be our real challenge, to start back over and try to find chemistry and minutes and figuring everything out from there.
PASCAL SIAKAM (35 points, five assists, five rebounds) On bouncing back after a tough shooting game in Orlando… You’re just mad. I’m mad at myself, as a competitor, I’ve always been that way. You understand that there are bad games and you are going to have games where shots are not going to fall, but at the same time, coming in the next game as a competitor, you have that mentality to get back to it and you want to get on the floor. For me, I wanted to play yesterday, that’s how bad I wanted it, so it’s part of the game, you continue to learn, continue to grow. In games where you are not going to score, you’ve got to find a way to help your team in other ways and as long as we are winning, we are good.
On seeing extra bodies defending you … We kind of knew Gobert was going to help a lot. Just having Marc there, stretching the floor, making sure early we give him the ball, and he has to shoot them to make them think a little bit. Once they give me a little space, I’m definitely more comfortable that way and I can attack, so that’s what I did.
UTAH JAZZ QUOTES
QUIN SNYDER (HEAD COACH)
How would you sum up what happened in the first half?
Well, obviously, we were awful. I think the important thing for us is to understand, there were a lot of reasons, but I think our urgency to make certain things important defensively, whether that be an assignment or sprinting back, not running back, not jogging back, against a team like Toronto that runs the way they do. There were too many breakdowns in too many possessions where we lacked the urgency we needed, and then obviously the offensive end puts you in positions where sometimes it’s next to impossible to do that. So to me fundamentally on the offensive end, moving the ball, spacing correctly, all the things you have to do collectively when you play against an excellent defensive team, that it requires you to connect and not just play together, but really commit to one another to doing all the little things you have to do to be successful. You can be successful on a possession or two, but those are the habits and the details when a team is as aggressive and as committed as they were to guarding us that you need in order to execute all the little details.
Do you respond differently because it’s the second game in a row you didn’t come out well to begin the game?
That’s a question that I want to watch the game, but as far as our response you can see that a couple of ways. You can see how we responded in the second half the other night and won the game. We were so far down in the first half that it was difficult no matter how well we played to come back and win tonight’s game. Obviously, our focus to begin the game has to be better. When I say better, I think it has to be more directed to the things we need to do to be successful and sometimes those aren’t sweeping things. Sometimes it’s not making a shot, that can always happen but that doesn’t need to be your focus because that is something you can’t control. So far us to be able to control the things that we can, in order to do that we have to feel on a deep level that they are important.
MIKE CONLEY (20 points, three rebounds, two assists)
What happened in the first half?
It was disappointing. I think it was a lack of focus, which we shouldn’t have any lack of focus coming into a place like this. This is a team that we know is playing at a championship level, obviously, coming off of last season. We didn’t match their energy at all. We knew it was going to be physical. We didn’t handle the ball well, we didn’t get back on defense, we didn’t do the little things that the good teams do. We have control over that and that’s the most disappointing part of this. We just didn’t come to play in that first half.
What leads to that lack of focus coming into a game?
It’s tough. Every game is different. Tonight, I think it was just we got into a game where we were giving them too many fast-break opportunities because we were turning over the ball all over and making mental errors defensively. It was a snowball effect. Everybody kind of got down and we knew playing against a team like we (were) tonight you cannot have five minute spans where you don’t score or you don’t even get shot attempts up because you’re turning the ball over, or just not doing the small things that leads to wins. We’ve got to be better.
What went well in the third quarter?
Honestly, I thought it started defensively. We just started to pick it up, started being more physical, not worrying about foul calls, not worrying about contact, playing through things, not being so cool, just kind of getting into our uncomfortable zone. That’s something I talked to the guys with – be okay with being uncomfortable, try to work in that zone and I think that will help us. That’s something we were doing in that third quarter, we were playing hard and playing for each other, making extra passes and that’s Jazz basketball.
RUDY GOBERT (12 points, 11 rebounds)
On the first half …
They outplayed us on both ends. I think we, against the most physical team, turned the ball over a lot. They are also the best transition team in the NBA so they punished us on the other end. It went pretty quick, they just overpowered us in the first half, made some big stops and then we got down by, I don’t know, 37? 39? 40. Our offense really hurt us, our defense really hurt us, the turnovers really hurt us and then they got going.
Are the back-to-back slow starts a concern moving forward?
I don’t think it’s a concern. It’s something that we can look at and be better at it. Other great teams, they start the game well and they finish the game well. You can’t just start a game like we did and think that we are going to just come out in the third and the win the game like we did in Memphis. We have got to have a chip on our shoulder and it’s got to start at the first minute and every time we punch first we are going to be in a good position to win the game.
KEY RUN Trailing 9-5 early in the first quarter, the Raptors went on 23-2 run to lead by 17 points with 3:24 left … Pascal Siakam and Marc Gasol scored 19 and 11 points, respectively, as Toronto led 37-20 after one quarter.
KEY STAT The Raptors led 77-37 at the half … It was Toronto’s largest halftime lead (+40) in team history and Utah’s biggest deficit at the half in franchise history … It also tied for the eighth largest halftime lead in NBA history … The Raptors shot .604 (29-for-48) in the first half, including .684 (13-for-19) from three-point range.
RAPTORS NOTES:
• With the victory, Toronto improves to 15-4 this season and a perfect 9-0 at home … The Raptors have now won a season-high seven in a row.
• Toronto is one of just four teams in the NBA still without a loss at home … The Raptors’ nine straight victories at Scotiabank Arena to open the season is a franchise record.
• The Raptors have won 11 of their last 13 meetings with the Jazz.
• Utah scored 49 points in the third quarter – tying the franchise record for points allowed in a quarter … Chicago scored 49 points in the fourth frame Dec. 22, 2014
. • Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 35 points in 35 minutes of action – his eighth 30-point performance of the season and third in the last five games (Nov. 23 – Dec. 1)
. • Fred VanVleet recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 21 points and a season high-tying 11 assists in 32 minutes … VanVleet scored 20 or more for the ninth time.
• Toronto’s starting lineup combined for 92 points, including 61 in the first half. • The Raptors had eight players score double figures – Siakam (35), VanVleet (21), Norman Powell (15), Terence Davis ll (13), Serge Ibaka (13), Marc Gasol (11), OG Anunoby (10) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (10) … Ibaka returned to the lineup after missing the previous 10 games (Nov. 10-29) with a right ankle sprain … The Raptors improved to 10-0 when Anunoby scores in double digits.
JAZZ NOTES:
• With the loss, Utah falls to 12-8 on the season and 4-7 on the road … The Jazz are now 1-3 on their current five-game road trip (Nov. 25 – Dec. 2) … Utah plays at Philadelphia tomorrow night.
• Utah outrebounded Toronto 51-43, including 15-7 advantage on the offensive glass … The Jazz had a 21-7 advantage in second chance points.
• Mike Conley led the Jazz in scoring for the second time with 20 points in 25 minutes of play – it was his fifth 20-point effort … Conley reached 12,000 career points in the first quarter.
• Rudy Gobert recorded his 12th double-double with 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
• The Jazz had five players score in double digits – Conley (20), Jeff Green (19), Donovan Mitchell (16), Gobert (12) and Bojan Bogdanovic (11).
GAME #17 – TORONTO RAPTORS (12-4) vs. NEW YORK KNICKS (4-13) WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019 – 7:30 P.M. (ET) – SCOTIABANK ARENATV: TSN – RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
RAPTORS NOTES • The Toronto Raptors complete their two-game homestand (Nov. 25-27) Wednesday night when they host the New York Knicks at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors have won 14 of their past 15 games against New York, including the past six meetings. Toronto has won seven in a row vs. the Knicks at home. In four games against the Knicks last season, Pascal Siakam averaged 20.8 points, while Fred VanVleet led the Raptors averaging 7.5 assists.
• The Raptors have matched a franchise record with seven straight victories at home to open the season. Toronto also began the 2018-19 campaign with seven consecutive wins at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors are one of just four teams in the NBA still without a loss at home this season, joining Boston (6-0), Miami (7 -0) and Philadelphia (7-0).
• With Monday’s victory over Philadelphia, Toronto tied an NBA record with its 32nd consecutive victory at home vs. the Atlantic Division. The Raptors’ last loss at Scotiabank Arena against an Atlantic Division foe was Nov. 10, 2015 vs. New York. Since 1970-71 (the division format era), Golden State (Oct. 30, 2013 – Apr. 12, 2017) and Utah (Nov. 15, 1996 – Apr. 12, 1999) are the only other teams to win 32 straight games at home vs. divisional opponents.
• Rondae Hollis-Jefferson matched his season-high with 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to earn his second double-double of the season Nov. 25 vs. Philadelphia. Over his past eight games, Hollis-Jefferson has scored in double digits four times (Nov. 10-25), averaging 10.9 points during this stretch.
• Toronto will play 11 of 16 games at home in the month of December after playing eight of 13 on the road in November. December is Toronto’s busiest month of the season and includes three back-to-back sets. Ten of Toronto’s 16 games in December are against teams currently with a +.500. The Raptors are 2-4 this season vs. teams that have a winning record.
• Toronto held Philadelphia to .409 (36-for-88) shooting from the field on Monday night. It marked the seventh time this season the Raptors have held their opposition to a shooting percentage under 41 per cent from the floor. The Raptors currently lead the NBA in opponent field goal percentage (.413) and rank seventh in opponent three-point field goal percentage (.337).
• Fred VanVleet recorded 24 points and eight assists in 38 minutes of play Monday night against Philadelphia. VanVleet has now scored 20 or more points in five of the last six games, averaging 23.0 points during this stretch. He has also had at least four more assists than turnovers in each of the last 12 games (Oct. 30 – Nov. 25). During this span, VanVleet has totaled 98 assists compared to 30 turnovers.
• Terence Davis ll has scored in double digits in three of the past four games (Nov. 18-25), averaging 13.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists during this stretch. Davis ranks sixth among rookies in field goal percentage (.493) and fourth in three-point field goal shooting percentage (.450).
• Toronto ranks first in the NBA with a .393 three-point shooting percentage and fourth in three-pointers made per game (14.1) – behind only Houston (15.2), New Orleans (15.0) and Dallas (14.5).
• Totaled 12 points, three rebounds, one steal and one block in 35 minutes Nov. 25 vs. Philadelphia. • Has scored 10 or more points eight times, including two 20-point performances. • Ranks fourth in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage (.491); has made multiple threes in eight games.
• Finished with a team-high 25 points and seven rebounds in 40 minutes of play Nov. 25 vs. Philadelphia. • Has recorded six games of 30+ points; had five 30-point performances in 80 games played last season. • Tied for ninth in the NBA in scoring (25.7) and ranks sixth in minutes per game (37.1).
• Matched his season-high with nine assists in 35 minutes Nov. 25 vs. Philadelphia; added six rebounds. • Reached 12,000 career points in the NBA Nov. 16 at Dallas. • Has collected 10+ rebounds three times, including a season-high 12 rebounds Nov. 2 at Milwaukee.
• Recorded 10 points and five rebounds in 28 minutes Nov. 25 vs. Philadelphia. • Averaging 14.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 31.0 minutes in eight games as a starter. • Has scored in double figures in five straight games (Nov. 16-25); averaging 17.6 points during this stretch.
• Finished with 24 points, eight assists and two steals in 38 minutes Nov. 25 vs. Philadelphia. • Has recorded at least five assists in 16 games this season (Oct. 22-Nov. 25) – the longest streak of his career. • Ranks eighth in the NBA in assists (7.7) and first in minutes per game (38.0).
INJURY REPORT
Dewan Hernandez (Right thumb; sprain) – Out
Serge Ibaka (Right ankle; sprain) – Doubtful
Stanley Johnson (Left groin; stress reaction) – Out
Kyle Lowry (Left thumb; distal phalanx fracture) – Out
Patrick McCaw (Left knee; surgery) – Out
Matt Thomas (Left middle finger; distal phalanx fracture) – Out
RECAP VS. NEW YORK OVERALL HOME ROAD
2018-19 4-0 2-0 2-0
ALL-TIME 52-41 30-16 22-25
STREAKS Won 6 Won 7 Won 3
LAST WIN: March 28, 2019 (117-92)
LAST HOME WIN: March 18, 2018 (128-92)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +36, March 18, 2019
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -46, April 15, 1996
LAST TIME VS. NEW YORK GAME 76 – MARCH 28, 2019 TORONTO 117, NEW YORK 92
NEW YORK – Pascal Siakam scored 31 points and the Toronto Raptors routed the New York Knicks for the second time in 11 nights, winning 117- 92 to sweep the season series … Toronto rested Kawhi Leonard, just as it did in its 128-92 victory at home on March 18 … The Raptors led by as many as 31 points, never trailed and were up by at least 15 for the entire second half … Danny Green added 15 points on five 3-pointers for the Raptors, who also were without OG Anunoby because of lingering concussion-like symptoms after he took a hit to the head in their victory over Chicago … Rookie Mitchell Robinson had season highs of 19 points and 21 rebounds for the Knicks, who lost their fifth straight and fell to 1-13 over the last month … The Knicks started 4 for 17 and fell behind 22-10, and the game never really got much closer … It was 30-18 after one, grew to 55-33 when Siakam made a 3-pointer with 31 seconds left in the half, and Toronto led 55-36 at the break after making 12 3-pointers while the Knicks went 1 for 13.
1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 30 25 32 30 117
NEW YORK 18 18 28 28 92
INJURY REPORTS AS OF 1:30 P.M. WEDNESDAY
New York Knicks:
Allen, Kadeem Out G League – Two-Way
Barrett, RJ Probable Injury/Illness – Illness.
Brazdeikis, Ignas Out G League – On Assignment
Bullock, Reggie Out Injury/Illness – Neck; cervical disc herniation
Knox II, Kevin Probable Injury/Illness – Left Quadricep; contused
Ntilikina, Frank Probable Injury/Illness – Left Quadricep; contused; sore groin
Payton, Elfrid Out Injury/Illness – Right Hamstring; strained
– Rabb, Ivan Out G League – Two-Way –
Toronto Raptors
Hernandez, Dewan Out Injury/Illness – Right Thumb; Sprain
Ibaka, Serge Doubtful Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprain –
Johnson, Stanley Out Injury/Illness – Left Groin; Stress reaction –
Lowry, Kyle Out Injury/Illness – Left Thumb; Fracture; distal phalanx –
McCaw, Patrick Out Injury/Illness – Left Knee; Surgery –
Thomas , Matt Out Injury/Illness – Left Finger; Middle; distal phalanx fracture –
The view from left field 