BROOKLYN — The shooting drought followed the Raptors from Miami to Brooklyn, but it only had its claws into the Raptors for about a half this time around. That same inability to find the range which cost the Raptors that game in Miami and wasted a stellar defensive effort was there for the first 20 […]
Raps find the range and get a little feisty in comeback win over Nets — Toronto Sun
RAPTORS QUOTES
NICK NURSE
On the defense after the first quarter: “I think from the four-minute mark of the second quarter onward we really got down to a plan. We were into the ball. We were making catches tough. Everything was pretty tough. When Brooklyn did take it to the rim, which they can do very well, we were better. We were better protecting. We were better cracking in on the bigs so there wasn’t that little dump off there as much. Just much more energy and toughness.”
On Kyle Lowry’s toughness tonight: “Yeah, he was into it. There were a couple of weird scenarios with him. He got involved in a couple of scrums, but he’s going to do that and he’s probably playing really well when he’s doing that. He was still taking charges and throwing his body around and then he got a little juice from the perimeter. He was big, it was good. There was a lot of silliness, it seemed like, for us over kicking the ball around for the first 15 minutes of the game and then after that we looked really well organized. To me, that’s all I really want is for us to look like we know what we’re doing out there. Those guys (Lowry and Fred VanVleet) did a good job of running the team.”
KYLE LOWRY
On turning this around: “He (Nick Nurse) kind of got on us every single timeout. At halftime, he got on us about doing the same things over and over. Once we kind of settled down a little bit and got smart about what we were doing and got better spots, better positioning and playing some defense, it worked out.”
On whether it was more the offense or the defense in terms of settling down: “Both. We played pretty good defense, but it’s also understanding what we’re doing, kind of understanding the game play a little bit better and doing the game plan and executing the game plan a little bit better. Offensively, it’s about getting to the paint. Getting to the paint, kick out, getting to the spots and knowing where those spots are going to be.”
On whether it’s hard to fight the frustration when you start 1-11: “We know that that Miami game was a game that ain’t going to happen much. Just got to keep playing. We’ve got to keep putting them up. That’s what we do. We believe in the work that we put in and no one’s going to say this or that. We’re going to keep shooting the shots that are there and keep playing and working.”
RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON
On his thoughts and feelings being back at Barclays Center playing the Nets: “Man, it felt good. The energy, the love the people were showing me. It felt good to be here, to see the people that I spent four years with, a lot of familiar faces. But it felt really good to get the win. At the end of the day, that’s what the focus was, to compete and play hard.”
On Kyle Lowry’s competitive spirit: “I love it. Me and Kyle being from the same area, that’s how we play basketball. That’s how we get after it. If Kyle’s got a problem with anybody, I got a problem too, so I’ve got his back at all times no matter what. That’s the way the game should be played. At the end of the day, we’re just playing basketball, but we’re making it a little bit fun.”
On what turned this one: “I would say the energy. Energy, defensive stops, pushing the pace, getting some transition buckets, things like that. That helped us a lot.”
NETS QUOTES
KENNY ATKINSON
On if he notices a reoccurring theme in the second half of the last few games: “Fourth quarter. Last four out of five games, we were right there, or led, or close. That’s a theme. That’s a big theme right now. We have to figure out why. Fourth quarters have really been a thorn in our sides. It was again tonight. We competed for three quarters of the game, a little bit more than three quarters. I think when we subbed the starters back in the game, it was a six- or seven-point game and then they kind of went on a run and I’ve kind of seen that film before recently, so we have to figure it out. We have to figure out why we’re running out of gas. Is it physical? Is it execution? It’s probably a combination of all of those things.”
On the return of Caris LeVert: “Caris’ (LeVert) job is to get his feet wet and get back into rhythm, but it just makes a difference. I know there was some good stuff in there. There were some mistakes, but it’s nice when you know the player and you trust the player. It makes mine and all our staff’s job easier.”
On how concerned he is about the recent slump: “When I first started this job, we had 20 wins and were the worst team in the league, so we’ve been through the losing streaks and it’s just part of this league. It happens, but this will test us, test our character. I told the guys in the locker room, this happens during the NBA, but we’ll get it back down the road when we get five out of six or win six in a row. I have enough confidence in the team. We have to stick with our habits and our principles and trust what we do and we’ll get out of this.”
JOE HARRIS
On the reoccurring fourth-quarter problems: “I think just looking at it, defensively, we’ve given up a lot of points in these fourth-quarter stretches – where it may be a lack of execution on one end or the other. Tonight was sort of cumulative – it kind of built up there in the third, where we gave up 35 points. In the fourth we gave up 38, which is way too many. You’re not going to win a lot of games, especially finishing out games like that.”
On if the team is searching for answers: “I think some of the games are frustrating. At the end of the day, a lot of us have been around – maybe for some of the younger guys it’s a little bit different. We talk about it a lot – there’s a lot of ebbs and flows individually through the course of the season and there’s a lot of ebbs and flows collectively as a team over the course of the season. Obviously, you don’t want to go through four or five-game losing streaks, but these things happen. You stick with the process, you stay level-headed and you trust in the process that we are going to figure it out and get it back on the right track.”
On Caris LeVert’s impact: “It was great to see Caris – we wish that he wasn’t on a minute restriction and he could play a little bit more. He looked great. I thought he came in and looked like himself. He said that he was trying to get his wind a little bit, but I thought that there didn’t look to be any rust whatsoever.”
CARIS LEVERT
On tonight’s game: “I felt pretty good out there. Obviously we wanted to get a win, but just me personally, I felt pretty good.”
On the next step in overcoming the minute restrictions: “I’m not sure – I’m just out here to play – that’s for coach and the performance staff. Whatever minutes I’m given, I’m just going to try to go out there and do what I can.”
On if making back-to-back shots made him forget about his thumb: “I wasn’t really thinking about my thumb at all out there.”
On the most difficult thing to overcome tonight: “Probably defensive rebounding – I feel like I could’ve done a lot better job there. I think I could’ve done a much better job helping out the rebounding.”
On how frustrating it has been sitting out of games: “Very frustrating. You know I love the game; I love being a part of it. Love helping my team out in any way that I can. It was tough being out, but I’m glad to be back.”
FINAL SCORE: 121-102 DATE: January 4, 2020 – Game #34 (Home Game #16)
FINAL SCORE RECORD HIGH POINTS HIGH REBOUNDS HIGH ASSISTS
Toronto 121 24-12 VanVleet – 29 Ibaka – 12 VanVleet – 11
Brooklyn 102 16-18 Dinwiddie – 23 Jordan – 8 Dinwiddie – 7
TEAM NOTABLES
➢ The Nets fell to 16-18 tonight with their loss to Toronto this evening, while the Raptors improved to 24-12 on the season with tonight’s victory.
o Up next for Brooklyn: The Nets will travel to Orlando to play the Magic on Monday, 1/6, at 7 p.m., ET. o Up next for Toronto: The Raptors will return home to Toronto to host Portland on Tuesday, 1/6, at 7 p.m. ET. ➢ Brooklyn blocked a season-high 11 shots tonight (previous high: 10 blocks, twice, most recently in OT on 12/17 at New Orleans) and edged the Raptors 11-4 in locks.
o DeAndre Jordan led Brooklyn with a season-high-tying four blocks, while Jarrett Allen and Wilson Chandler each added two
apiece. ➢ The Nets’ .478 field goal percentage (32-of-67 FG) marked their second-highest field goal percentage in a loss this season.
PLAYER NOTABLES
➢ Spencer Dinwiddie led the Nets with 23 points (6-of-12 FG, 9-of-12 FT) and seven assists with three rebounds and a block in 31 minutes.
o Dinwiddie has now scored 20+ points in 19 of his last 23 games and has scored 20+ points a single-season career-high 23
times (in 34 games). He scored 20+ points 18 times all of last season (68 games).
o Dinwiddie has scored 20+ points in 11 straight games at Barclays Center, dating back to 11/18 vs. Indiana, which marks the
longest streak of 20-point games at home for a Net since Vince Carter did it in 13 straight games in the 2005-06 season.
o Dinwiddie has recorded a 20-point game, a double-double or both in 22 of his last 23 games (all but 1/2 at Dallas, when he fell a point shy with 19 points).
➢ Joe Harris scored 18 points with three rebounds and five assists in 31 minutes tonight vs. Toronto. He shot 4-of-6 from the field, 3-of-5 from 3-point range and 7-of-8 from the charity stripe.
o Harris has now scored in double figures 27 times this season.
➢ Caris LeVert returned to action for Brooklyn tonight and recorded 13 points (5-of-7 FG, 2-of-2 3FG) in 16 minutes off the bench.
o LeVert played for the first time since 11/10 at Phoenix after returning from right thumb surgery.
➢ Garrett Temple totaled 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal in 30 minutes this evening against the Raptors.
o Temple returned to the starting lineup tonight after missing Brooklyn’s last game with a right knee contusion. o Temple has scored in double figures in 15 of his last 22 games after doing so three times in his first 11 games this season.
➢ Taurean Prince also scored in double figures for Brooklyn tonight with 10 points, six boards, two assists and a block in 28 minutes.
2
GAME 36: TORONTO RAPTORS (23-12) at BROOKLYN NETS (16-17) SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2020 – 6 P.M. (ET) – BARCLAYS CENTER TV: TSN – RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
INJURY REPORTS At 1:30 p.m. Saturday
TOR@BKN
Brooklyn Nets 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 Probable Injury/Illness – Right Thumb; Surgery Temple, Garrett Probable Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Contusion
Toronto Raptors Gasol, Marc Out Injury/Illness – Left Hamstring; Strained Hernandez, Dewan Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprained Ponds, Shamorie Out G League – Two-Way Powell, Norman Out Injury/Illness – Left Shoulder; Subluxation Siakam, Pascal Out Injury/Illness – Groin; Strained Thomas, Matt Out Injury/Illness – Left Middle Finger; Fracture-Distal Phalanx
RAPTORS NOTES
• The Toronto Raptors complete a two-game road trip (Jan. 2-4) when they travel to Brooklyn to face the Nets on Saturday night at Barclays Center. The Raptors have won 16 of the last 17 meetings with Brooklyn, including the first matchup this season. Pascal Siakam scored 30 points and Marc Gasol set season highs with 17 points and 15 rebounds in Toronto’s 110-102 victory last month. Injured Raptors Siakam, Gasol and Norman Powell scored 72 of Toronto’s 110 points in the contest. The last time Toronto lost the season-series with the Nets was in 2012-13.
• Serge Ibaka recorded his fourth straight double-double and eighth of the season with a team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds in 35 minutes of action Thursday night at Miami. All eight of Ibaka’s doubledoubles have come in the last 13 games (Dec. 9 – Jan. 2). Ibaka is averaging 17.8 points and 11.0 rebounds over the last four games (Dec. 28 – Jan. 2).
• Toronto held the Heat to just 84 points in Thursday night’s loss at Miami. The Raptors have now held their opponent to fewer than 100 points in four straight games (Dec. 28 – Jan. 2). Over the last four contests, opponents are averaging 94.0 points and shooting .417 (135-for-324) from the field, including .279 (39-for14) from three-point range. The last time Toronto allowed fewer than 100 points in four consecutive games was an eight-game streak that stretched over two seasons Apr. 5 – Oct. 28, 2016.
• Former Net Rondae Hollis-Jefferson returns to Brooklyn for the first time since signing as a free agent with the Raptors in the summer. 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.
• OG Anunoby recorded his fourth double-double of the season Thursday night, finishing with 12 points and a career high-tying 12 rebounds. Anunoby did not have a double-double in either of his first two seasons.
• Marc Gasol (left hamstring; strain), Pascal Siakam (groin; stretch) and Norman Powell (left shoulder; subluxation) were all injured Dec. 18 at Detroit. Toronto is 4-4 over the last eight games without them. The Raptors are averaging 106.5 points and shooting .442 (303-for-686) from the field during this span.
• Kyle Lowry needs 84 assists to tie Jose Calderon (3,770) as the Raptors’ all-time leader in assists. Lowry is already the franchise leader in three-point field goals (1,297), steals (773) and playoff victories (37). Lowry has recorded 10+ assists 110 times – second most in team history behind only Calderon (141).
• Terence Davis ll is one of the five rookies who’ve played in every game for their team this season, along with Darius Bazley (Oklahoma City), Darius Garland (Cleveland), Kendrick Nunn (Miami) and Coby White (Chicago). Only two rookies have played in every game of a season for the Raptors: Vince Carter in 1998– 99 (which was a lockout-shortened 50-game season) and Matt Bonner (2004–05).
• MISCELLANEOUS: The Raptors have not lost consecutive road games this season … Toronto set season lows in points (76), FG% (.315) and 3PT% (.143) Thursday at Miami … Chris Boucher leads the Raptors with 61 offensive rebounds and ranks second in blocks (27) behind Marc Gasol (30).
PROBABLE STARTERS
F – PATRICK McCAW #22 • Recorded three points, one rebound and one assist in 28 minutes Jan. 2 at Miami. • Averaging 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 30.2 minutes in eight games as a starter. • Has played at least 20 minutes in a career-long 11 straight games (Dec. 14 – Jan. 2).
MIN: 26.4 REB: 2.4 AST: 2.0 STL: 1.1 TO: 1.1 BLK: 0.1 PTS: 6.0
F – OG ANUNOBY #3 • Posted fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and a career high-tying 12 rebounds Jan. 2 at Miami. • Toronto is 15-4 this season when Anunoby scores 10 or more points. • Has scored 12 points in consecutive games (Dec. 31 – Jan. 2); shooting 50 per cent (10-for-20) from the floor.
MIN: 29.8 REB: 5.9 AST: 1.7 STL: 1.12 TO: 1.4 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 11.1
C – SERGE IBAKA #9 • Recorded eighth double-double of the season with a team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds Jan. 2 at Miami. • Averaging 16.9 points, 9.5 rebounds and 32.1 minutes in eight games as a starter. • Has scored in double figures in 15 of the last 17 games (Dec. 1 – Jan. 2), including five 20-point outings.
MIN: 38.1 REB: 4.8 AST: 7.5 STL: 1.3 TO: 3.2 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 20.7
G – KYLE LOWRY #7 • Finished with 15 points, four rebounds and eight assists in 40 minutes of play Jan. 2 at Miami. • Has made at least two three-pointers in 11 straight games (Dec. 14 – Jan. 2); totaled 37 threes during this span. • December was the first calendar month in which he averaged 20 points and eight assists since December 2014.
MIN: 38.1 REB: 4.8 AST: 7.5 STL: 1.3 TO: 3.2 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 20.7
G – FRED VANVLEET #23 • Finished with seven points, six assists and four rebounds in 39 minutes of action Jan. 2 at Miami. • Ranks fifth in the NBA in steals per games (1.97) and sixth in minutes (36.3). • Has recorded five double-doubles this season; something he did once in first three NBA seasons combined.
MIN: 36.3 REB: 3.9 AST: 6.9 STL: 2.0 TO: 2.5 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 17.6
INJURY REPORT Marc Gasol (Left hamstring; strain) – Out Dewan Hernandez (Right ankle; sprain) – Out Norman Powell (Left shoulder; subluxation ) – Out Pascal Siakam (Groin; stretch) – Out Matt Thomas (Left middle finger; distal phalanx fracture) – Out
LAST TIME BROOKLYN VS. TORONTO
GAME 25 – DECEMBER 14, 2019 TORONTO 110, BROOKLYN 102
TORONTO– Pascal Siakam scored 30 points, Marc Gasol set season highs with 17 points and 15 rebounds and the Toronto Raptors beat the Brooklyn Nets 110-102 on Saturday night to snap a three-game home losing streak … Norman Powell fouled out with 25 points and Kyle Lowry had 17 to help the Raptors win their ninth straight home game against the Nets and beat Brooklyn for the 16th time in 17 meetings … Serge Ibaka had 12 points and 12 rebounds … The Raptors made nine of 12 attempts from 3-point range in the first quarter, including their first seven straight … Spencer Dinwiddie scored 26 points, Garrett Temple added 16 and Taurean Prince had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets, who are 0-4 on the road against opponents with winning records … The Nets saw a 20-point lead slip away in Wednesday’s 113-108 home loss to Charlotte … Temple couldn’t convert a three-point play after making a layup to begin the fourth, and Powell scored five points as Toronto replied with a 9-0 run, taking a 99-85 lead with 8:32 left to play … Siakam had 14 points in the first as the Raptors overcame an early 12-2 deficit to lead 38-31 after one … The Raptors led 90-83 through three quarters.
1 2 3 4 TOT
BROOKLYN 31 29 23 19 102
TORONTO 38 27 25 20 110
NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: Portland Trailblazers Date: Tuesday, January 7 Tip-Off: 7 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: TSN Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN
SERIES RECAP VS. PORTLAND
OVERALL HOME ROAD 2019-20 1-0 0-0 1-0 ALL-TIME 18-28 10-13 8-15 STREAKS Won 2 Won 4 Won 1
LAST WIN: November 13, 2019 (114-106)
LAST HOME WIN: March 1, 2019 (119-117)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +36, January 28, 1997
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -24, January 4, 2000
LAST TIME VS. PORTLAND
GAME 11 – NOVEMBER 13, 2019 TORONTO 114, PORTLAND 106
PORTLAND — The Raptors held Damian Lillard to just nine points in a 114-106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers … Pascal Siakam scored 36 points and Fred VanVleet had 30 … Siakam scored 13 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter to help close out the Trail Blazers and help Toronto bounce back from Monday night’s loss to the L.A. Clippers … Rodney Hood led the Blazers with 25 points … Lillard had 2-fof-12 shooting from the field and was 2 of 7 from 3-point range … He did dish 10 assists … CJ McCollum also pitched in 18 points while Anfernee Simons had 17 off the bench … The Raptors attacked in waves, with Siakam scoring seven straight points to close the third quarter and give the Raptors an 87-78 lead heading into the fourth … The Raptors also got solid bench contributions from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Terence Davis (15 points) … The Blazers went on an 11-2 run to start the fourth quarter, tying the game at 89 with 9:06 left as Lillard watched from the bench … A dunk by Hollis-Jefferson with 5:29 left gave the Raptors a 10194 lead … Another jumper by Siakam with 3:38 remaining gave the Raptors a 108-94 lead, their largest of the game.
1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 23 31 33 27 114
PORTLAND 30 23 25 28 106
GAME 35 – JANUARY 2, 2020 MIAMI 84, TORONTO 76 MIAMI — Bam Adebayo had 15 points and 14 rebounds, and the Miami Heat put together their best defensive performance of the season in an 84 -76 victory over the Toronto Raptors … The Raptors’ scoring total was their lowest in more than four years — also coming in a game at Miami on Nov. 8, 2015 — and the second-lowest by any team in the NBA this season … Tyler Herro and Goran Dragic each scored 13 points for Miami, which is now 2-0 against the Raptors this season … Derrick Jones Jr. scored 10 points and Jimmy Butler finished with eight points, 12 rebounds and seven assists for Miami … Serge Ibaka had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Toronto … Kyle Lowry scored 15 points, Rondae HollisJefferson added 13 and OG Anunoby had 12 points and 12 rebounds … The Raptors shot only 31.5% and were 6 for 42 from 3-point range … Toronto’s previous season low for points was 88, in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 11 … Anunoby was fouled on a 3-point try with 1:21 left in the third, making all three free throws to tie the game at 60 … But the Heat went on a 17-5 run in the fourth and held Toronto to 16 points in the final 12 minutes … Fred VanVleet was 3 for 16 from the field and 1 for 11 from 3-point range … Toronto started 2 for 21 from 3-point range, before Anunoby connected on a corner 3 at the end of the first half. 1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 20 19 21 16 76
MIAMI 18 24 21 21 84
GAME 34 – DECEMBER 31, 2019 TORONTO 117, CLEVELAND 97
TORONTO — Kyle Lowry scored 24 points and dished out eight assists as the Toronto Raptors won 117-97 against the Cleveland Cavaliers … Six Raptors scored in double figures … Serge Ibaka had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Terence Davis matched his career high with 19 points, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 14, and Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby had 12 points apiece … The Raptors went 9-7 in December, and played the past seven games without Pascal Siakam (groin), Marc Gasol (hamstring) and Norm Powell (shoulder) … Collin Sexton had 22 points to top the Cavaliers, while Thompson had 14 points and 11 rebounds … The Raptors had a double-digit lead in the second quarter, and by the time Ibaka hit a hook shot with 3:33 to play in the third, Toronto was up by 21 … The Raptors led 86-69 to start the fourth … Davis had 14 points in the fourth … VanVleet had four blocks on the night … The Raptors connected on 43.6 per cent from long distance, while the Cavs were good on just 26.3 per cent … Anunoby nailed three consecutive shots when he subbed in … Lowry’s 33-footer put the Raptors up by 14 points late in the second quarter … A running layup by Hollis-Jefferson with 1.6 seconds left in the half had Toronto up 59-43 at halftime.
1 2 3 4 TOT
CLEVELAND 25 18 26 28 97
TORONTO 27 32 27 31 117 RECE
BROOKLYN’S PROBABLE STARTERS
[ F ] J O E H A R R I S #12 • VIRGINIA (6th Season) • 6-6 • 220
2019-20 Averages 14.5 ppg 4.1 rpg 2.2 apg 31.9 mpg
• 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: 11 pts, 4 rebs, 5 asts 31 mins 1/2 at DAL
[ F ] T A U R E A N P R I N C E #2 • BAYLOR (4th Season) • 6-7 • 218
2019-20 Averages 12.2 ppg 6.7 rpg 2.1 apg 30.4 mpg • Acquired via trade with Atlanta on 7/6/19 and signed a multiyear contract extension with Brooklyn on 10/21/19. • Has already registered seven double-doubles this season after posting five in his first three NBA seasons combined (all in the 2017-18 season).
Last game: 11 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts 28 mins 1/2 at DAL
[C ] J A R R E T T A L L E N #31 • TEXAS (3rd Season) • 6-11 • 243
2019-20 Averages 11.9 ppg 10.1 rpg 1.3 bpg 26.5 mpg • 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: 9 pts, 6 rebs, 0 blks 26 mins 1/2 at DAL
[G ] G A R R E T T T E M P L E #17 • LOUISIANA STATE (10th Season) • 6-5 • 195 2019-20 Averages 10.6 ppg 3.4 rpg 2.6 apg 29.5 mpg • Is in his first season with Brooklyn after signing with the Nets as a free agent on 7/8/19. • Has tallied 25+ points twice this season (12/4 at Atlanta and 12/21 vs. Atlanta) after scoring 25+ points twice in his first nine NBA seasons combined.
Last Game: INACTIVE Right Knee Contusion 1/2 at DAL
[G ] S P E N C E R D I N W I D D I E #8 • COLORADO (6th Season) • 6-5 • 215 2019-20 Averages 22.8 ppg 3.0 rpg 6.3 apg 30.7 mpg • 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 careerhighs for ppg, FTM, FTA, FT %, offensive rating and usage.
Last Game: 19 pts, 2 rebs, 5 asts 23 mins 1/2 at DAL 2019-20
IF THE NETS WIN It would allow Brooklyn to avoid extending its season-long losing skid to five games (last win: 122-112 over Atlanta on 12/21). It would snap Brooklyn’s four-game losing skid against the Raptors (last win: 106-105 in OT on 12/7/18 at Barclays Center).
LAST 22: DEFENSE REMAINS STRONG THROUGH 12-10 STRETCH LAST 22: See the chart for stats and ranks from Brooklyn’s last 22 games (11/16 – 1/2), compared to the first 11 games of the season (4-7).
LINEUP: Brooklyn’s starting five of Dinwiddie, Temple, Harris, Prince and Allen has played 343 minutes in the last 22 games (Temple sat out Brooklyn’s last game). The only five-man unit in the NBA to play more minutes than Brooklyn’s starting five since 11/16 is Denver’s five-man unit of Paul Millsap, Will Barton, Gary Harris, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray with 347 minutes). All five starters have averaged double digit scoring in this 22-game stretch: Dinwiddie (25.7), Harris (15.3), Allen (13.2), Temple (12.2) and Prince (11.7).
e starters have averaged double digit scoring in this 22-game stretch: Dinwiddie (25.7), Harris (15.3), Allen (13.2), Temple (12.2) and Prince (11.7).
TEAM NOTABLES The Nets attempt the second-fewest mid-range FG/game (6.2) and attempt the most shots/game from the restricted area (35.9). Brooklyn allows the most shots from mid-range/game (15.2).
The Nets register the fewest post-ups/game (1.0) in the league (next-fewest: Utah’s 2.4). The Nets are holding their opponents to .580 FG % in the restricted area, the third-best mark in the league, trailing only Milwaukee (.539) and Toronto (.575)
. FOUR FACTORS: The Nets are 22nd in effective FG % (.509), eighth in offensive rebound % (.284), 14th in FTA rate (.264) and 19th in turnover % (.151).
OPP FOUR FACTORS: The Nets are fourth in opponent effective FG % (.499), 18th in opponent offensive rebound % (.275), 13th in opponent FTA rate (.243) and 27th in opponent turnover % (.129).
CLUTCH: Clutch situations are defined as the last five minutes of a game with the point diff. at five or less). Brooklyn is tied for fourth in the league in ‘clutch’ games (22) and tied for fifth in ‘clutch’ wins (12).
PAINT: The Nets have outscored their opponent by 10+ points in the paint in nine of their last 12 games (since 12/6 at Charlotte), outscoring their opponents 620-468 (+152).
HOME IN BROOKLYN The Nets will play 10 home games this month, marking their season-high for home games played in a month. The 10 home games also match a Nets record for most home games played in the month of January (previously: Jan. 2016 and Jan. 1996).
PLAYER NOTABLES Since assuming the starting point guard role with Kyrie Irving out (the last 22 games, since 11/16 at Chicago), Spencer Dinwiddie ranks fourth in the East (ninth in the league) in ppg (25.7), trailing Giannis Antetokounmpo (30.3), Trae Young (29.0) and Bradley Beal (26.9). Dinwiddie is fifth in the East in apg (7.1) in that time, trailing Ben Simmons (9.4), Kyle Lowry (8.0), Young (8.0) and Devonte’ Graham (7.9).
Dinwiddie is also eighth in the league in FTM/game (6.6) and seventh in FTA/game (8.2) in that time. Just seven players in the league have averaged 25.0+ ppg and 7.0+ apg since Dinwiddie assumed the starting point guard role: Luka Doncic, James Harden, LeBron James, Damian Lillard, Russell Westbrook, Trae Young and Dinwiddie. Dinwiddie is tied for second in the league in drives/game (19.2) with DeMar DeRozan, trailing only Trae Young (20.0), and is second in drive ppg (12.3), trailing only Harden (13.9).
Jarrett Allen is fourth in the league in FG % (.657), trailing Mitchell Robinson, Rudy Gobert and Richaun Holmes, fifth in dunks (95), trailing Antetokounmpo (115) and Gobert (98), Anthony Davis (97) and Clint Capela (96), ninth in offensive rebound % (.118), ninth in orpg (3.4) and 11th in rpg (10.1). DeAndre Jordan is fourth in the league in rebound % (.204), fifth in defensive rebound % (.299) and ranks first in rpg off the bench (9.7).
Isaiah Thomas is in trouble again. Just two weeks after getting ejected for entering the crowd at Wells Fargo Center to confronting two Philadelphia 76ers fans, the Washington Wizards guard was tossed for the second time this season Friday night. Only this time, it occurred less than 90 seconds into the game. Thomas was battling…
Isaiah Thomas Ejected For Second Time In Two Weeks After Pushing Ref — NESN.com
Do Raptors fans have potty mouths? F—, yeah. A recent study of each NBA teams sub-forum on Reddit found that they do. According to the casino.org analysis, the Raptors ranked fourth of the 30 teams for vulgar words per 100 subscribers, behind fans of the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers (no surprise there) and Phoenix […]
Raptors fans rank fourth for their foul mouths — Toronto Sun
7:04 AM ET It seemed that with every 3-pointer, steal or block Terence Davis made during his first Vegas Summer League game in July, his agent got a text message from another interested team. At halftime the contract offers began rolling in. Within hours after the game, during which he scored 22 points with five […]
How the Heat and Raptors uncover hidden talent — VOICE OF THE HWY
The mania surrounding Tacko Fall has spread beyond New England. The NBA released the first returns for 2020 NBA All-Star voting Thursday, and the Boston Celtics center shockingly has cracked the leaderboard, sitting in sixth place among Eastern Conference frontcourt players with 110,269 votes. The 7-foot-5 rookie has become a cult hero, despite playing just…
Tacko Fall, Four Celtics Teammates Among NBA All-Star Voting Leaders — NESN.com
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is now one of the biggest shoe deal free agents Miami Heat star forward Jimmy Butler and Jordan Brand have mutually agreed to part ways on their footwear and apparel sponsorship, which was set to expire in Sept. 2020, according to ESPN’s Nick DePaula. Butler is now open to talks […]
New on SI: Report: Jordan Brand, Jimmy Butler Mutually Agree to Part Ways to End Endorsement Deal — Focus News Agency
INJURY REPORT 1:30 THURSDAY
07:30 (ET) TOR@MIA
Miami Heat Macon, Daryl Out G League – Two-Way Okpala, KZ Out G League – On Assignment Winslow, Justise Out Injury/Illness – Lower Back; Bone bruise Toronto Raptors Gasol, Marc Out Injury/Illness – Left hamstring; Strained Hernandez, Dewan Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprained Powell, Norman Out Injury/Illness – Left Shoulder; Subluxation Siakam, Pascal Out Injury/Illness – Groin; Strained Thomas, Matt Out Injury/Illness – Left Middle Finger; Fracture-distal phalax
RAPTORS NOTES
• The Toronto Raptors begin 2020 with a visit to Miami on Thursday to play the Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena. This is the second of three meetings between the two teams this season, with the Heat taking the first contest 121-110 in overtime Dec. 3 in Toronto. The Raptors swept the season-series (4-0) with Miami in 2018-19 for the second time in franchise history. Since the start of the 2014-15 season, Toronto is 13-6 against the Heat, winning the season-series four times during this stretch.
• The Raptors ended the month of December with a 9-7 record. Toronto has finished with a winning record in each of the past 20 calendar months. The streak of 20 consecutive months with a winning record is the longest in franchise history and the longest current streak in the NBA. The last month in which the Raptors did not have a winning record was January 2017 (8-9).
• Kyle Lowry led all scorers with 24 points in 36 minutes Dec. 31 vs. Cleveland. Tuesday marked Lowry’s eighth 20-point effort in the last nine games (Dec. 16-31). He is averaging 24.0 points, while shooting .456 (67-for-147) from the field and .413 (33-for-80) from three-point distance during this stretch. Lowry has now scored 20+ points in 15 games; something he did 15 times in 65 games last season.
• Serge Ibaka recorded his third straight double-double and seventh of the season with 20 points and a team-high 10 rebounds in 33 minutes of action Tuesday night vs. the Cavaliers. All seven of Ibaka’s double -doubles came in the month of December. Ibaka is averaging 17.3 points and 11.3 rebounds over the last three games (Dec. 28-31).
• The Raptors went 54–24 (.692) in regular-season games in 2019, the second best record in the NBA last year behind only Milwaukee (65–17, .793). Toronto’s .692 winning percentage in 2019 was the third highest for a calendar year in franchise history – behind 2018 (62–24, .721) and 2016 (58–23, .716).
• Rookie Terence Davis ll scored 14 of his career high-tying 19 points (7-12 FG, 4-7 3PT, 1-2 FT) in the fourth quarter Dec. 31 vs. Cleveland. Davis ll has led the bench in scoring nine times this season, including each of the last three games (Dec. 28-31). He is averaging 12.3 points, while shooting 56 per cent (14-for25) from the floor and 50 per cent (8-for-16) from beyond the arc over the last three contests.
• Marc Gasol (left hamstring; strain), Pascal Siakam (groin; stretch) and Norman Powell (left shoulder; subluxation) were all injured Dec. 18 at Detroit. Toronto is 4-3 over the last seven games without them. The Raptors are averaging 110.9 points and shooting .461 (275-for-597) from the field during this span.
• Kyle Lowry needs 92 assists to tie Jose Calderon (3,770) as the Raptors’ all-time leader in assists. Lowry is already the franchise leader in three-point field goals (1,291), steals (773) and playoff victories (37). Lowry has recorded 10+ assists 110 times – second most in team history behind only Calderon (141).
• Terence Davis ll is one of the five rookies who’ve played in every game for their team this season, along with Darius Bazley (Oklahoma City), Darius Garland (Cleveland), Kendrick Nunn (Miami) and Coby White (Chicago). Only two rookies have played in every game of a season for the Raptors: Vince Carter in 1998– 99 (which was a lockout-shortened 50-game season) and Matt Bonner (2004–05).
PROBABLE STARTERS
F – PATRICK McCAW #22
MIN: 26.2 REB: 2.5 AST: 2.0 STL: 1.2 TO: 1.2 BLK: 0.1 PTS: 6.2
• Recorded six points, four rebounds, four assists and one steal in 22 minutes Dec. 31 vs. Cleveland. • Averaging 9.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 30.5 minutes in seven games as a starter. • Has played at least 20 minutes in a career-long 10 straight games (Dec. 14-31).
F – RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON #4
MIN: 19.9 REB: 5.2 AST: 1.5 STL: 0.7 TO: 1.1 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 8.3
• Contributed 14 points and five rebounds in 28 minutes in first start as a Raptor on Dec. 31 vs. Cleveland. • Toronto is 9-1 this season when Hollis-Jefferson scores 10 or more points. • Ranks second on the team with 57 offensive rebounds behind only Chris Boucher (59).
C – SERGE IBAKA #9
MIN: 25.1 REB: 8.0 AST: 1.3 STL: 0.5 TO: 2.0 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 14.1
• Posted seventh double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds in 33 minutes Dec. 31 vs. CLE. • Averaging 16.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 31.7 minutes in seven games as a starter. • Scored in double figures in 14-of-16 games in the month of December, including five 20-point outings.
G – KYLE LOWRY #7
MIN: 38.0 REB: 4.8 AST: 7.5 STL: 1.2 TO: 3.3 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 20.9
• Led all scorers with 24 points Dec. 31 vs. Cleveland; added eight assists in 36 minutes. • Averaged 20.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 39.0 minutes in 15 games in December. • Has led the team in scoring in six of the last seven games (Dec. 20-31), including the last three contests.
G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 36.2 REB: 3.9 AST: 6.9 STL: 2.0 TO: 2.6 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 18.0
• Finished with 12 points, four rebounds and seven assists in 30 minutes Dec. 31 vs. Cleveland. • Tied for third in the NBA in steals per games (2.00) and ranks sixth in minutes (36.2). • Has recorded five double-doubles this season; something he did once in first three NBA seasons combined.
INJURY REPORT Marc Gasol (Left hamstring; strain) – TBD Dewan Hernandez (Right ankle; sprain) – TBD Norman Powell (Left shoulder; subluxation ) – TBD Pascal Siakam (Groin; stretch) – TBD Matt Thomas (Left middle finger; distal phalanx fracture) – TBD
TONIGHT’S GAME DETAILS Opponent: Miami Heat Date: Thursday, January 2 Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET) Venue: AmericanAirlines Arena Television: Sportsnet Radio: TSN Radio 1050 Toronto
SERIES RECAP VS. MIAMI
OVERALL HOME ROAD
2019-20 0-1 0-1 0-0
ALL-TIME 34-53 21-22 13-31
STREAKS Lost 1 Lost 1 Won 2
LAST WIN: April 7, 2019 (117-109 OT)
LAST ROAD WIN: March 10, 2019 (125-104)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +42, March 19, 2008
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -30, March 8, 1996
LAST TIME VS. MIAMI
GAME 20 – DECEMBER 3, 2019 MIAMI 121, TORONTO 110 (OT)
TORONTO — Jimmy Butler had 22 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists, Duncan Robinson scored 22 points and the Heat spoiled Kyle Lowry’s return to Toronto’s lineup by beating the Raptors 121-110 in overtime Tuesday … Butler scored eight consecutive points in 55 seconds to begin the extra session as the Heat recovered after blowing a seven-point lead in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter … Bam Adebayo scored 18 points, Winslow had 17 and Kelly Olynyk 16 … Pascal Siakam had 15 points and 12 rebounds, Norman Powell scored 23 points and Fred VanVleet had 19 for Toronto, which had won a franchise-record nine straight home games to begin the season … Toronto missed all nine of its field goal attempts in overtime, eight of them from 3-point range … Lowry returned after missing 11 games because of a fractured left thumb, finished with 12 points and 11 assists in 41 minutes … Toronto trailed 107100 after Winslow’s layup with 1:59 to go in the fourth … Powell hit a 3, Lowry made a pair at the line and, after a missed jumper by Winslow, Powell connected from the corner to give the Raptors a 108-107 lead, their first of the final quarter … Butler tied it by splitting a pair of free throws and Siakam saw his shot blocked at the other end, giving the Heat the ball with just under 20 seconds remaining … Butler pulled up for a 3 over Powell, but his shot bounced off the rim, sending it to overtime.
1 2 3 4 OT TOT
MIAMI 32 26 25 25 13 121
TORONTO 23 30 28 27 2 110
NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: Brooklyn Nets Date: Saturday, January 4 Tip-Off: 6 p.m. (ET) Venue: Barclays Center Television: TSN Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN
SERIES RECAP VS. BROOKLYN
OVERALL HOME ROAD 2019-20 1-0 1-0 0-0
ALL-TIME 54-40 32-15 22-25 STREAKS Won 4 Won 9 Won 1
LAST WIN: December 14, 2019 (110-102)
LAST ROAD WIN: April 3, 2019 (115-105)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +37, November 2, 2007
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -25, January 15, 1996
LAST TIME VS. BROOKLYN
GAME 25 – DECEMBER 14, 2019 TORONTO 110, BROOKLYN 102
TORONTO — Pascal Siakam scored 30 points, Marc Gasol set season highs with 17 points and 15 rebounds and the Toronto Raptors beat the Brooklyn Nets 110-102 on Saturday night to snap a three-game home losing streak … Norman Powell fouled out with 25 points and Kyle Lowry had 17 to help the Raptors win their ninth straight home game against the Nets and beat Brooklyn for the 16th time in 17 meetings … Serge Ibaka had 12 points and 12 rebounds … The Raptors made nine of 12 attempts from 3-point range in the first quarter, including their first seven straight … Spencer Dinwiddie scored 26 points, Garrett Temple added 16 and Taurean Prince had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets, who are 0-4 on the road against opponents with winning records … The Nets saw a 20-point lead slip away in Wednesday’s 113-108 home loss to Charlotte … Temple couldn’t convert a three-point play after making a layup to begin the fourth, and Powell scored five points as Toronto replied with a 9-0 run, taking a 99-85 lead with 8:32 left to play … Siakam had 14 points in the first as the Raptors overcame an early 12-2 deficit to lead 38-31 after one … The Raptors led 90-83 through three quarters.
1 2 3 4 TOT
BROOKLYN 31 29 23 19 102
TORONTO 38 27 25 20 110
GAME 34 – DECEMBER 31, 2019
TORONTO 117, CLEVELAND 97
TORONTO — Kyle Lowry scored 24 points and dished out eight assists as the Toronto Raptors won 117-97 against the Cleveland Cavaliers … Six Raptors scored in double figures … Serge Ibaka had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Terence Davis matched his career high with 19 points, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 14, and Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby had 12 points apiece … The Raptors went 9-7 in December, and played the past seven games without Pascal Siakam (groin), Marc Gasol (hamstring) and Norm Powell (shoulder) … Collin Sexton had 22 points to top the Cavaliers, while Thompson had 14 points and 11 rebounds … The Raptors had a double-digit lead in the second quarter, and by the time Ibaka hit a hook shot with 3:33 to play in the third, Toronto was up by 21 … The Raptors led 86-69 to start the fourth … Davis had 14 points in the fourth … VanVleet had four blocks on the night … The Raptors connected on 43.6 per cent from long distance, while the Cavs were good on just 26.3 per cent … Anunoby nailed three consecutive shots when he subbed in … Lowry’s 33-footer put the Raptors up by 14 points late in the second quarter … A running layup by Hollis-Jefferson with 1.6 seconds left in the half had Toronto up 59-43 at halftime. 1 2 3 4 TOT
CLEVELAND 25 18 26 28 97
TORONTO 27 32 27 31 117
GAME 33 – DECEMBER 29, 2019 OKLAHOMA CITY 98, TORONTO 97 TORONTO — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matched his career-high with 32 points, Chris Paul had 25 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Toronto Raptors 98-97 on Sunday night for their sixth win in seven games … Nerlens Noel added 13 points and Darius Bazley had 11 to help the Thunder win their fifth straight in Toronto. Oklahoma City has won 11 of 15 overall … Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet each scored 20 points and Serge Ibaka had 12 points and 14 rebounds for the Raptors … Gilgeous-Alexander made the go-ahead basket on a jump shot with 36 seconds left in the fourth quarter, then grabbed the rebound on a missed 3-pointer by VanVleet … Gilgeous-Alexander’s basket was the sixth straight scoring play to change the lead in a tight final quarter … Toronto led 42-34 on a 3 from VanVleet with 3:44 to go in the first half, but Gilgeous-Alexander scored eight points as the Thunder rallied to tie the score at 47-47 … Paul made three straight baskets to begin the third, putting Oklahoma City up 60-52 with 9:36 left in the quarter … Toronto made seven of 14 attempts from 3-point range in the third, and VanVleet scored the final five points of the quarter to put the Raptors up 80-76 heading to the fourth. 1 2 3 4 TOT
OKLAHOMA CITY 22 25 29 22 98
TORONTO 20 27 33 17 97
ADDITIONAL TEAM NOTES… • The Raptors will celebrate the franchise’s 25th anniversary throughout the season. Six games – Oct. 28 vs. Orlando, Dec. 11 vs. LA Clippers, Jan. 28 vs. Atlanta, Feb. 25 vs. Milwaukee, Mar. 30 vs. Memphis and Apr. 10 vs. Atlanta – will see the team in white throwback pinstriped jerseys, and playing on a court which pays homage to the one the Raptors first played on in what was known as the SkyDome. • Kyle Lowry was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Dec. 16-22. Lowry earned the honour for the sixth time in his career and fifth time with the Raptors. He averaged 24.5 points, 10.0 assists, 6.5 rebounds and 39.6 minutes while helping the Raptors to a 4-0 record. • Nick Nurse was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in October and November. This marks the second time Nurse has earned the honour after he won for games played in October and November in 2018. Nurse coached the reigning NBA champions to a 14-4 record to start the season while facing several roster challenges along the way. The Raptors had eight different players miss games due to injury, including Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka. • Nick Nurse coached his 100th regular-season game as head coach of the Raptors Nov. 29 at Orlando. Nurse (71–28) is one of five head coaches with at least 70 wins and a NBA title at the time of their 100th game, along with Steve Kerr, Johnny Kundla, Pat Riley, and Paul Westhead. • The Raptors went 3–2 on their five-game west coast road trip (Nov. 8-16). It marked the first time the Raptors finished with a winning record on a road trip of five or more games – all against Western Conference teams – since November 2001, when they went 4–2 on a trip through Utah (W), Denver (L), Sacramento (L), Golden State (W), LA Clippers 
and Phoenix (W). • Pascal Siakam was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Nov. 4-10 – earning the honour for the second time in his career. Siakam averaged team highs of 30.3 points and 11.3 rebounds in three victories. He posted at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in all three games, and tied his career high with 44 points Nov. 8 at New Orleans. • Kyle Lowry played his 500th game as a Raptor on Oct. 26 at Chicago. He is the fifth player in franchise history to accomplish the feat; joining DeMar DeRozan, Morris Peterson, Jose Calderon and Chris Bosh. Lowry is the longest-serving member of the Raptors – entering his eighth season with the club. His five All-Star Game appearances (2015-19), including two as a starter, are tied with Vince Carter and Bosh for the most in team history. • Following Spain’s triumph at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, Marc Gasol became just the second player to win an NBA title and a FIBA world gold medal in the same year, joining Lamar Odom (2010). Gasol is a highlydecorated member of the Spanish National Team, helping the country capture nine medals since 2006. • The Raptors won their first NBA Championship last June, defeating Golden State in the NBA Finals. In the 2019 postseason, Toronto went 16-8 while also eliminating Orlando, Philadelphia and Milwaukee – the top seed in the Eastern Conference. During the regular season, the Raptors won 58 games and set franchise records for points per game (114.4), assists per game (25.4), rebounds per game (45.2) and three-point field goals made (1,105). • Nick Nurse became the ninth first-year NBA head coach to win an NBA title, and first since Tyronn Lue in 2016. He is also the only head coach to have both an NBA and G League championship. Nurse won the G League title with Rio Grande Valley in 2013 and Iowa in 2011. • Since the beginning of the NBA Lottery in 1985, the Raptors became the first team to capture the NBA title without a single lottery pick on their Finals roster. Toronto did have a lottery pick earlier in the year but traded former fifth overall selection Jonas Valanciunas to the Memphis Grizzlies for Marc Gasol. Greg Monroe, the seventh pick by Detroit in the 2010 NBA Draft, was also traded to Brooklyn at the trade deadline.
MIAMI PROBABLE STARTERS
POS PLAYER HT WT PPG RPG AST MISC. NOTES
6-7 230 20.8 6.6 6.6
Is four assists short of the 2,000th assist of his career.
6-9 255 15.6 10.6 4.6
Has posted 20 double-doubles this season, helping Miami to a 16-4 record in those games.
7-0 260 5.8 4.7 1.0
Ranks third in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage at 46.9% (30of-64). (Minimum 50 attempts)
6-7 215 12.2 3.1 0.9
Connected on multiple three-point field goals in a team-record 14straight games from 11/25 – 12/20.
6-2 190 16.0 2.8 3.5
Recorded his 500th point of the season in his 31st game, the fastest by a rookie in HEAT history
TORONTO RAPTORS
TV: FOX Sports Sun (Eric Reid, John Crotty, Jason Jackson); NBA TV Radio: The Ticket 790AM & The HEAT Radio Network (Mike Inglis, Ruth Riley Hunter) Spanish Radio: WAQI 710AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda, Joe Pujala)
Series Notes: The HEAT and Raptors meet for the second of three matchups this regular season. Earlier this season, Miami recorded a, 121-110, overtime win on 12/3 in Toronto, recording the Raptors first home loss of the season. The HEAT is 53-34 all-time versus Toronto during the regular season, including 31-14 in Miami and 22-20 on the road.
RECENT RESULTS
WASHINGTON WIZARDS 123, MIAMI HEAT 105 (12/30/19): The Wizards shot 51.2 percent from the field as they recorded a, 123-105, win against the Miami HEAT in Washington. Miami started hot, shooting 65 percent in the first to take a 10-point, 39-29, lead after one. Garrison Mathews scored 20 points in the second, all off the bench, as Washington took an eight-point, 71-63, lead at the half. The Wizards out-scored Miami by one in the third to push their advantage to nine, 90-81, entering the final frame. Washington held a double-figure lead throughout most of the fourth as they recorded the, 123-105, win. Jimmy Butler scored a team-high 27 points as Jordan McRae led the Wizards with 29.
MIAMI HEAT 117, PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 116 OT: The Miami HEAT improved to a perfect 6-0 in overtime games this season after recording a, 117-116, OT win against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers. Joel Embiid scored 10 points in the first, helping the Sixers to a five-point, 3328, lead after one. Both teams scored 26 in the second as Philadelphia held their five-point lead, 59-54, at the break. The HEAT held the 76ers to 20 points in the third as Miami took a six-point, 85-79, advantage into the fourth. With the HEAT up two with 3.3 second left, the Sixers would go to the foul line, after missing the first, Josh Richardson purposely missed the second as Ben Simmons grabbed the rebound and put it in to tie the game at 108 and send it into overtime. After three lead changes in OT, Butler went to foul line with the scored tied at 116 and 2.3 seconds remaining. After hitting 1-of-2 and giving Miami the lead, Philadelphia’s shot at the buzzer missed, securing the HEAT’s, 117-116, win. Butler finished with a teamhigh 25 points as Goran Dragić added 19 off the bench. Embiid led the Sixers with 35.
MIAMI HEAT 113, INDIANA PACERS 112 (12/27/19): The HEAT recorded their fourth-straight win after defeating the Indiana Pacers, 113-112, in Miami. Indiana shot 52.4 percent from the field in the first as they held a two-point, 27-25, lead after one. The HEAT bench scored 18 points in the second, helping Miami take a three-point, 58-55, lead at the half. Jimmy Butler scored 10 points in the third as the HEAT took a two-point, 84-82, advantage into the final frame. After five lead changes in the fourth and Miami down one, 112-111, with 30.8 seconds remaining, a Goran Dragić basket put the HEAT up one as the Pacers would miss their final shot at the buzzer to give Miami the, 113-112, win. Butler finished with a game-high 20 points as Bam Adebayo posted an 18-point, 15-rebound double-double. Aaron Holiday led Indiana with 17 points.
2019-20
GAME NOTES
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.
The HEAT has recorded a 20-plus point lead in the first quarter five times this season.
Miami has scored at least 70 first half points five times this season, already the most for any season in franchise history.
The HEAT has recorded at least 30 assists seven times this season, the most through the first 33 games of a season in team history. Miami has recorded a +11.9 scoring margin at home this season, the second-highest in the NBA.
Miami has totaled 3,709 points this season, the most through the first 33 games of a season in franchise history.
The HEAT have out-rebounded their opponents by double-digits in 12-of-16 home games this season.
The HEAT are 21-1 this season when out-rebounding their opponent.
Duncan Robinson connected on his 100th three-point field goal this season on 12/27 in his 31st game, becoming the fastest to 100 made treys in team history, surpassing Damon Jones’ 35 games during the 2004-05 season.
Kendrick Nunn scored his 500th point of the season on 12/27 in his 31st game, becoming the fastest HEAT rookie to 500 points in franchise history, surpassing Dwyane Wade’s 32 games during the 2003-04 season.
CONSECUTIVE LOSSES: The HEAT has not recorded consecutive losses all season, going a perfect 8-0 after a loss. With tonight marking as game 34 of the season, their 33 games are already the longest into a season the HEAT has not recorded consecutive losses in franchise history.
DECADE: The HEAT finished the decade with a .605 (488-319) winning percentage, which included two NBA Championships, four Eastern Conference Championships and six Division titles. Miami’s .605 winning percentage was the best in the Eastern Conference this past decade, and the fifth best overall, trailing only San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Golden State and Houston.
RISING ROOKIES: The HEAT’s rookies are averaging 32.2 points this season, the highest overall average in the NBA. Additionally, Miami’s 32.2 rookie scoring average is currently the third-highest during a single-season in team history.
UNDRAFTED: Kendrick Nunn has totaled 528 points in the first 33 games of the season. His 528 points are the second-most by an undrafted NBA player in their first 33 games during the Common Draft Era (since 1966).
HAPPY HOLIDAYS: The HEAT recorded 11 wins in December, marking as their first double-digit-winning December since 2013 when they also posted 11 wins. Additionally, it now marks as the eighth time Miami has recorded double-figure wins during the month of December in team history.
SELLING OUT: Miami has currently sold out 435-straight overall games, which includes both the regular season and playoffs, the sixth-longest sellout streak in NBA history. Additionally, 257 of those 435 overall sellouts have been at over capacity, where fans have purchased Standing Room Only tickets in the Upper 400 Level. Below are the longest home sellout streaks in NBA history.
TURNING UP THE D IN OT: Miami is a perfect 6-0 this season in overtime games after recording the Bucks first home loss of the season in a, 131126, win in Milwaukee on 10/26, recording the Raptors first home loss of the season in a, 121-110, victory in Toronto on 12/3, defeating Chicago, 110-105, on 12/7, earning a, 135-121, win against Atlanta on 12/10 in which the 14-point win against the Hawks is the largest by any team to trail in the final minute of regulation in the NBA over the last 20 seasons and a, 122-118, win on the second night of a back-to-back set at DAL on 12/14 and the a, 117-116, victory against PHI on 12/28. Additionally, the HEAT’s defense are holding teams in overtime this season to just 5.5 points (33 total) on 24 percent (12-of-50) shooting from the field, including 8.3 percent (2-of-24) from three-point range.
TRIPLE-DOUBLES: Bam Adebayo posted his second triple-double of the season on 12/14 at DAL, becoming just the fifth player in franchise history to record multiple triple-doubles as a member of the HEAT, joining LeBron James (9), Dwyane Wade (5), Hassan Whiteside (4) and Jimmy Butler (3). Adebayo and Butler are now the only pair of HEAT teammates to record multiple triple-doubles in the same season. Additionally, both Adebayo and Butler each posted a triple-double in the same game on 12/10 vs. ATL, becoming the first set of HEAT teammates to achieve the feat during the same game in franchise history as Adebayo also became the youngest player in team history to post a triple-double (22 yrs, 145 days). The HEAT have now recorded five triple-doubles on the season, already tying for the most for a single-season in team history.
HOME SPOILER: The HEAT recorded a, 108-104, win at Philadelphia on 12/18, recording the Sixers first home loss of the season after they started 14-0 at home as Miami previously beat Toronto, 121-110, in overtime on 12/3 also recording the Raptors first home loss of the season after they started 9-0 at home. According to Elias, the HEAT have become the first team in NBA history to snap multiple home win streaks of at least nine games to start a season.
CLOSE CALLS: The HEAT recorded consecutive one-point wins in back-to-back days, marking the first time in franchise history Miami has recorded one-point wins in consecutive days. The first came in a, 113-112, win against IND on 12/27 and then a, 117-116, overtime win vs. PHI on 12/28.
MULTIPLE TREYS: Duncan Robinson connected on multiple 3-point field goals in a franchise record 14-straight games from 11/25 – 12/20.
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.
QUARTETS AND TRIOS: Kendrick Nunn (36), Duncan Robinson (34), Bam Adebayo (30) and Jimmy Butler (20) combined to score 120 points on 12/10 vs. ATL, the most by a HEAT foursome in franchise history. Along with Adebayo and Butler’s triple-doubles in the game, it marked as the first time in NBA history a team had multiple triple-doubles and multiple 30-point games by different players and also just the second time in team history three players scored at least 30 points in a single game. Additionally, Nunn and Robinson became the first set of undrafted teammates to each score at least 30 points in the same game in the Common Draft Era (since 1966) as Nunn’s game-high 36-point performance was just one short from tying the HEAT’s all-time rookie scoring record of 37 set by Sherman Douglas on 4/12/90 at BOS. Below are the most points by a HEAT quartet and trio in team history.
(18), Owens (14) 4/15/95 vs. ORL 96 James (44), Wade (34), Bosh (18) 1/9/11 at POR
20-POINT GAMES: Jimmy Butler recorded nine-straight 20-point games from 12/1 – 12/16, tying the third-longest streak of his career. He has now recorded a team-high 16 20-point games this season.
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 fivestraight games from 4/7/09 – 4/15/09.
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.
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.
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.
TRIPLE DIGITS: Miami started the season scoring at least 105 points in each of the first six games of the season, the longest streak in team history to begin a campaign. Additionally, the six games of scoring 100+ points was the third-longest to start a season in franchise history.
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.
FIRST QUARTER: The HEAT scored 46 points in the first quarter vs. HOU on 11/3, marking as the most first quarter points in team history, surpassing the previous high of 45 points on 11/19/97 vs. LAC. Additionally, Miami outscored the Rockets by +32 (46-14) in the first, marking as the third-highest end of first quarter lead in the NBA during the shot clock era (1954-55).
SHARING IS CARING: Miami dished out 38 assists vs. HOU on 11/3, tying the second-most in franchise history. Additionally, they assisted on 80.9 percent of their shots (38 assists on 47 made field goals), and according to Elias, it marked the second-highest assist percentage with at least 47 made field goals in team history. The only game higher was their 81.3 assist percentage on 2/15/97 vs. PHI (39 assists on 48 made field goals).
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.
YOUNG’N: Tyler Herro (19 yrs, 276 days) became the youngest player in team history to start in a game for the HEAT on 10/23 vs. MEM, surpassing the previous record, which was held by Justise Winslow (19 yrs, 291 days) on 1/11/16 at GS.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Bam Adebayo was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from December 9 through December 15 after helping Miami to a 2-1 record and averaging 20.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 1.33 steals and 1.00 blocks. He posted two triple-doubles and a double-double during the week while leading the team in rebounds, assists and blocks twice and in plus/minus, minutes and steals once each. It was the first Player of the Week honor of his career and the 59th time in team history a HEAT player earned the award.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jimmy Butler was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from December 2 through December 8 after helping Miami to a 3-1 record and averaging 27.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.25 steals. He posted two triple-doubles during the week and led the team in assists in all four contests, in points three times, in minutes and blocks twice and in rebounds and steals once each. It marked the fifth time Butler has been named Player of the Week and was the 58th time in franchise history a HEAT player earned the honor.
ROM: Kendrick Nunn was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played during Oct/Nov. He is the first undrafted rookie to win Rookie of the Month since Yogi Ferrell (February 2017) and the fourth HEAT rookie in team history to earn the honors, joining Caron Butler, Michael Beasley and Josh Richardson. Nunn led all Eastern rookies in points, scoring average, field goals made and three-point field goals made while placing second in assists per game and third in total assists, steals per game and plus/minus. He averaged 16.4 points, 3.2 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 1.28 steals and 29.3 minutes in 18 games.
That’s a wrap on 2019. If 2020 is half as fun as the previous year was, it will be great. It was a particularly excellent year for Fred VanVleet, but he still said “hell no,” when asked if he was sad to see the year end. Read More
Raptors Blog: Thompson pegs Lowry as a Hall of Famer — Toronto Sun
The Toronto Raptors closed out a memorable decade by rolling past the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-97 on New Year’s Eve. Read More
Champion Raptors close decade with easy win over Cavaliers — Toronto Sun
(10-23) CLEVELAND CAVALIERS, 97 VS. (23-11) TORONTO RAPTORS, 117 SCOTIABANK ARENA TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019
TORONTO RAPTORS QUOTES
NICK NURSE (HEAD COACH)
On the starting lineup change … You guys know that I like to mix it up a little bit, I haven’t been doing it all that much this year and I thought maybe get both of them going – both Rondae (Hollis-Jefferson) and OG (Anunoby) … It seemed like it worked out okay, they both played really well tonight, I liked the energy from both of them.
On getting OG into the small forward position being a factor … Yeah, it did, I think that is an interesting part of it. Out of position is sometimes out of position, and getting him back there and getting him more comfortable. I just liked again, both of them were more focused, way more energetic, they were down and guarding, they were rebounding and when you are like that other good things, you know your shooting, your making strong moves and stuff seem to follow.
On using Rondae to start moving forward … I don’t know. Mixing up the starting lineup here for a little bit is probably something that you are going to see. I am just going to see what it looks like and feels like depending on who we are playing a little bit and go from there.
On Terence Davis being more energetic and not effected by the end of the last game … Yeah, which is good. He is a shooter and we need him to vault up and take them when he has got them and he found some rhythm tonight. I think we got a couple of set plays for him too and he made those, so that’s a good sign. It’s good that he came out and put that one in the past as history and moved on.
TERENCE DAVIS II (19 points, four rebounds)
On bouncing back after last game… I went home and watched the film and really (learned) from those mistakes. Down the stretch I looked at the clock and didn’t really tick in the time and score but that’s to take home with me down the road, just learning from those mistakes.
What does it feel like when you’re on an offensive role like that? Well I see it like this, when I see one go in I feel pretty good. I see another go in, I say okay, then another and it’s just the game of basketball, it’s how the game of basketball goes. Starts falling, you feel good, a good state of mind, actually.
FRED VANVLEET (12 points, seven assists)
On having chemistry with Terence Davis II tonight… I think offensively he’s a microwave, you know he heats up pretty quick. Know where to find him and usually if you get him in a good spot and he gets his feet down he’s got a quick release, so he can get them off, so tonight I thought he did a good of finding spots. Just playing confident and this is one of those games where a guy could find some rhythm, start off really hot then kind of hit the wall a little bit so to speak. I try to look for him to get his rhythm back and get his swagger back.
Do you say anything to OG Anunoby coming off the bench? Not really, guys got to figure it out as it goes. We are all pretty close and maybe too close to the point that we don’t really give each other pep talks. I know I didn’t, at least. You expect a guy to play no matter what position he’s in. He did a good job of coming in, ready to go and played pretty much identical to the way he’s been playing, he just made shots tonight, so that is kind of the cure all in most situations. He made some shots and that’s all that you look for.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS QUOTES
JOHN BEILEIN (HEAD COACH)
On tonight’s game… Not a very good game for us, credit Toronto for that. They have such a great system that they are playing with. They have tremendous guards who really run that thing so well and they are really sound defensively. We were not good in many areas of the game today, end of the road trip, whatever, we just weren’t very good. I’ve got to watch the video and see what we can do to get better.
What was the most difficult thing tonight in containing them from the three-point line? They had the guys come off the bench with (Terence) Davis hitting the three, and OG (Anunoby) hitting the three and then of course just when you think maybe make a little run, (Kyle) Lowry will make a tough three. Their guard play is really experienced and really good, and it shows. They really have a great rhythm to what they do, they are hard to stop and then at the end of the first half, that last 45 seconds was just, frankly, was embarrassing.
How do you get your backcourt duo to play like Lowry and VanVleet? They just have to get the same experience those two have. They got years and years and years. Lowry was at Villanova when I was coaching at West Virginia, so that’s a long time ago. He’s got a lot of knowledge that I’m sure our guys will have over time. And then VanVleet, four years at Wichita State, led his team to the Final Four and really has earned this thing all the way through and really has done a great job. So those two guys are terrific. In today’s game, two guards like that, despite their size, can dominate and they really dominated the game today. They didn’t dominate our guards, they just dominated the game by making the right play.
COLLIN SEXTON (22 points)
What did you see out of the Raptors tonight? They’re a tough team, a championship team, so you know they’re going to put up a really good fight – and also they lost to OKC the other night so they had a chip on their shoulder and wanted to pretty much beat us. You could tell from the very start of the game that they had a different type of energy. The fans had a good type of energy that helped them tonight.
Where do you want to see the team improve offensively? Offensively? Just keep taking the shots. Making the right plays and doing what we do. I feel like most things come on defence. Not sprinting back, stopping in the backcourt, little things that we can control like boxing out. I don’t know how many offensive rebounds they had tonight, but it was a lot. We have to make sure we help the bigs and rebound. As a group we have to get better. Just get better and hopefully get some wins together.
TRISTAN THOMPSON (14 points, 11 rebounds)
What are some takeaways from this game? That everyone finished the game healthy. At the end of the day going into the new year, it’s bigger than basketball. You just want guys to finish out the year strong, finish out 2019 strong and be healthy. We got through the game, you guys saw what happened, the Raptors are a really good team. You have to give them credit. They play hard. It was their night tonight. Thinking about getting back to Cleveland and guys can spend time with their family because that’s what it’s all about.
On improving defensively… I think communication. Just talking, just have to open our mouth and call out the calls. If we see something we have to holler. Call it out loud and continuous so our teammates know what’s going on. We have to be on the same page with it.
What comes to your mind when you think of 2019 on the court? 2019? Some new faces, young guys getting better and adding some good young pieces. Collin, DG, KPG. It’s good. I’m happy with our young guys. They want to learn. They want to be great and they’re going to keep pushing themselves day in and day out.
On Kyle Lowry… Kyle Lowry is a Hall of Famer. He’s a (five)-time All-Star, Olympic gold medalist, an NBA champ. He’s their backbone. He’s been here since when they drew that charge against him in Brooklyn with Paul Pierce. He’s been through all that. When we were playing them in the Eastern Conference Finals and sweeping them. Then with Kawhi in the Finals, so he’s been through, just like myself, highs and lows, for him he keeps this ship running. He’s playing at a high level. Kyle is a bulldog. He competes every night. That’s why his teammates love him – because you can count on the guy every night.
The view from left field 