Category: NBA

GAME #55 – TORONTO RAPTORS (31-23) vs. DENVER NUGGETS (30-25)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2022 – 7:30 P.M. (ET) – SCOTIABANK ARENA
TV: TSN – RADIO: TSN 1050 TORONTO

DEN@TOR

Denver Nuggets Cancar, Vlatko Out Injury/Illness – Right Foot; Surgery
Morris, Monte Out Injury/Illness – Concussion; Protocol
Murray, Jamal Out Injury/Illness – Left Knee; Injury Recovery
Nnaji, Zeke Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Hamstring; Tightness
Porter Jr., Michael Out Injury/Illness – Lumbar Spine; Surgery

Tor0nto Raptors

Bonga, Isaac Out G League – On Assignment
Champagnie, Justin Out G League – Two-Way
Johnson, David Out G League – Two-Way
VanVleet, Fred Questionable Injury/Illness – Left Groin; Soreness

At 4:30 P.M.

• The Toronto Raptors (31-23) host the Denver Nuggets (30-25) on Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors have won a season-high eight straight games (Jan. 29 – Feb. 10) – the longest active winning streak in the NBA. Toronto has won eight in a row for the first time since setting a franchise record with 15 consecutive victories Jan. 15 – Feb. 10, 2020. Over the last eight games, Toronto is shooting .482 (357-
740) from the field and .430 (120-279) from beyond the arc.
• The Raptors defeated the Rockets, 139-120, in Houston on Thursday to extend their winning streak to eight games. Toronto scored a season-high 139 points in the victory. Gary Trent Jr. led all scorers with a season-high 42 points, while Pascal Siakam added 30, marking the first time this season the Raptors had
two 30-point scorers in the same game. The duo also each scored 25 points in the first half, becoming just the third pair of teammates since 1997-98 to each record 25+ points in the first half of a game, joining Steph Curry and Klay Thompson and James Harden and Chandler Parsons (via @nbastats).
• Over the last five games (Feb. 3-10), Pascal Siakam is averaging 27.8 points and shooting .622 (56-90) from the floor, including .444 (8-18) from beyond the arc. Siakam has scored 24+ points in all five games
and shot better than 60 percent from the field in each of the last four.
• Pascal Siakam is currently averaging 21.8 points, and career highs of 8.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists, in 40 games this season. He is one of just five players in the NBA averaging 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, James Harden, and Nikola Jokic.
• The Raptors announced Thursday they acquired forwards Drew Eubanks (YOU-banks) and Thaddeus Young, along with a 2022 second round draft pick from San Antonio in exchange for Goran Dragic and a protected 2022 first round draft pick. Young is averaging 6.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 14.2 minutes in 26 contests this season. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Young is in his 15th NBA season after being picked 12th overall by Philadelphia in the 2007 NBA Draft. Toronto has waived Eubanks.
• Fred VanVleet has been named a reserve for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. VanVleet becomes just the eighth player in franchise history to earn an All-Star selection. He is the first undrafted player in the NBA to be named an
All-Star since Ben Wallace in 2006. VanVleet will also compete in the MTN Dew 3-Point Contest.
• Sophomore Precious Achiuwa and rookie Scottie Barnes have been selected to participate in the 2022 Rising Stars, which will be played on Friday, Feb. 18 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland as part of NBA All-Star 2022. Toronto will have two players in the showcase event for the first time since Andrea
Bargnani and Jamario Moon in 2008. Barnes will also participate in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge.
POSSIBLE STARTERS
F – SCOTTIE BARNES #4

MIN: 35.9 REB: 7.7 AST: 3.5 STL: 1.0 TO: 1.9 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 14.7
• Contributed nine points, and team highs of seven rebounds and six assists, in 33 minutes Feb. 10 at Houston.
• Ranks first among rookies in minutes (35.9), second in rebounds (7.7) and fourth in points (14.7).
• Leads all rookies with 10 games of 20+ points and five or more rebounds this season.
F – OG ANUNOBY #3

MIN: 37.1 REB: 5.7 AST: 2.6 STL: 1.6 TO: 1.8 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 18.3
• Finished with 13 points, four rebounds and two assists in 35 minutes Feb. 10 at Houston.
• Has scored 20+ points in a single-season career-high 18 games; something he did 13 times last season.
• Shooting .474 (36-76) from the field, including .429 (15-35) from three-point range, in six games in February.
C – PASCAL SIAKAM #43

MIN: 37.8 REB: 8.7 AST: 5.2 STL: 1.3 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 21.8
• Recorded 30 points in 32 minutes Feb. 10 at Houston; added four assists and three rebounds.
• Toronto is 30-5 all-time, including a perfect 6-0 this season, when Siakam scores 30 or more points.
• Leads the Raptors with 17 double-doubles, one shy of his single-season career high set in 2018-19 (18).
G – GARY TRENT JR. #33

MIN: 34.9 REB: 2.7 AST: 2.0 STL: 2.0 TO: 1.0 BLK: 0.3 PTS: 18.8
• Finished with a season-high 42 points, four assists and four steals in 37 minutes Feb. 10 at Houston.
• Ranks second in the NBA in steals per game (1.98) and fifth in total deflections (154).
• Has scored 30+ points in six of the last 10 games (Jan. 25 – Feb. 10), averaging a team-high 27.8 points.
G – FRED VANVLEET #23

MIN: 38.6 REB: 4.6 AST: 7.1 STL: 1.7 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.5 PTS: 21.6
• Sat out Feb. 10 at Houston due to left groin soreness.
• Has scored 20+ points in five consecutive games played (Feb. 1-9), averaging 21.8 points during this streak.
• Ranks second in the NBA in total deflections (188), second in three-pointers (191) and seventh in steals (80).

INJURY REPORT
Isaac Bonga (G League – On Assignment ) – Out
Justin Champagnie (G League – Two-Way) – Out
David Johnson (G League – Two-Way) – Out
Fred VanVleet (Left Groin; Soreness) – Questionable

NEXT GAME DETAILS
Opponent: New Orleans Pelicans
Date: Monday, February 14
Tip-Off: 8 p.m. (ET)
Venue: Smoothie King Center
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: TSN 1050 Toronto
SERIES RECAP VS. NEW ORLEANS
OVERALL HOME ROAD
2021-22 1-0 1-0 0-0
ALL-TIME 26-16 12-9 14-7
STREAKS Won 1 Won 1 Lost 1
LAST WIN: Jan. 9, 2022 (105-101)
LAST ROAD WIN: Nov. 8, 2019 (122-104)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +24 (Mar. 26, 2016)
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -21 (Jan. 29, 2003)
LAST TIME VS. NEW ORLEANS
GAME 37 – JANUARY 9, 2022
TORONTO 105, NEW ORLEANS 101
TORONTO — Pascal Siakam had 29 points and 10 rebounds, Fred
VanVleet scored 32 points and the Raptors extended their winning streak
to a season-high six games with a 105-101 win over the Pelicans … OG
Anunoby scored 12 points as the Raptors won their fifth straight and 10th
of 12 at home … Toronto (20-17) is three games above .500 for the first
time since opening the season 6-3 … Jonas Valanciunas had 20 points
and 17 rebounds, and Brandon Ingram scored 22 points for the Pelicans
… Toronto had 15 offensive rebounds, leading to a 24-6 edge in secondchance points … Toronto guard Gary Trent Jr. was scratched because of
a sore left ankle … Khem Birch started for the Raptors … Valanciunas
scored in the paint to tie it at 93-93 with four minutes left to play in the
fourth quarter … After a timeout, VanVleet hit a tiebreaking 3, but Graham
and Jones answered with back-to-back 3-pointers for the Pelicans …
VanVleet responded with a deep 3 with the shot clock winding down …
After Siakam forced a steal, VanVleet connected from long distance again
to give Toronto a 102-99 lead with 1:32 remaining … The Raptors never
relinquished the lead … Toronto led 27-26 after one and 49-48 at halftime
… Siakam scored 13 points in the third, but the Pelicans closed the quarter with an 8-0 run … The Raptors took a 79-77 lead to the fourth … Valanciunas played in Toronto for the first time since Dec. 9, 2018.
1 2 3 4 TOT
NEW ORLEANS 26 22 29 24 101
TORONTO 27 22 30 26 10

NUGGETS LAST GAME STARTERS
POS. NO. PLAYER PPG RPG APG NOTABLES
F 50 Aaron Gordon
6-8, 235 14.7 5.7 2.6
Tallied 17 points (8-15 FG’s, 0-5 3FG’s), 6
rebounds and 2 assists in 34 minutes at BOS
on 2/11 … Has scored 15+ points in 5 of the
last 6 games.
F 32 Jeff Green
6-8 235 10.2 3.2 1.2
Posted 7 points (1-6 FG’s, 5-5 F5’s), 4
rebounds and 2 steals in 21 minutes at BOS
on 2/11 … Has scored 15+ points in 2 of the
last 12 games.
C 15 Nikola Jokić
7-0, 284 25.8 13.7 7.9
Registered 23 (9-20 FG’s), 16 rebounds and
11 assists at BOS on 2/11 … Has had a triple
double in 8 of the last 14 games … 7th all-time
with 72 career triple doubles.
G 5 Will Barton
6-5, 181
15.5 5.0 4.1
Tallied 20 points (8-12 FG’s, 4-6 3FG’s), 7
rebounds and 5 assists in 37 minutes vs. NYK
on 2/8 … Shooting 37.6% from three-point
range.
G 3 Bones Hyland
6-3, 173
8.7 2.7 1.9
Posted 10 points (4-7 FG’s) and 2 rebounds in
18 minutes in his 1
st career start at BOS on
2/11 … Ranks 1
st among rookies in FT
percentage and 10th in 3FG percentage.

TALE OF TWO HALVES
The Nuggets snapped their three-game losing streak with a 124-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on 2/6. The story of the game was how the Nuggets flipped in the second
half and looked like a new team from the first half. After allowing 75 points in the first half, Denver held Brooklyn to just 29 points in the second half. It was a season-low
allowed by Denver in the second half and the first time doing so since 12/9/13 at WAS. It also marked the 11th time in franchise history holding an opponent to 29
or fewer points in the second half.
The Nuggets also handed out 37 assists, their second most this season, and are now 25-9 when having 25+ assists and 11- 4 when dishing out 30+
assists this season.
FIVE STRAIGHT TO END JANUARY
The Nuggets continued their winning ways on the road on their current six game road trip. Denver took down the Milwaukee Bucks 136-100 on 1/30, winning their fifth straight
game. It also marked their fourth straight win on the road, the longest streak since winning six in a row in February/March 2021. The Nuggets made 23 threes in the game,
tying for the third most made in team history and hade nine players knock down at least one 3FG. Denver is now 11-0 all time when making at least 20 threes in game.
They also dished out 39 assists, the 40th time in team history with that many (just 11th since 1991, 11-0 in those game). The Nuggets end January with
11 wins, their fourth straight year with 11+ wins in January. In the first 42 years in team history, Denver had a total of 11+ wins in January only six times.
BENCH GOES, WE GO
It’s no coincidence that when the Nuggets bench plays well, that usually means good things. They did exactly that on 1/26 at BKN, helping Denver secure a 124-118 road win.
The second unit accounted for 51 points, marking the fifth time this season that the bench has had 50+ points in game and the third time in last eight games.
Austin Rivers led the way for the second unit, putting up a season-high 25 points on 8-11 FG’s and 7-10 3FG’s and two steals in 26 minutes. Rivers became the
first Nuggets reserve since Will Barton (3/16/17) to make 7+ threes in a game and the first to do so on the road since J.R. Smith in 2010.
GOING STREAKING
The Nuggets finally have their first extended home stand of the season and so far, they have made the most of it. Denver has opened with three wins against the Trail Blazers
Lakers and Clippers. Their shot making and ball movement has been elite, helping them achieve two impressive streaks. Denver made 23 three-pointers on 1/15 vs. LAL, the
second most made threes in franchise history. The previous game vs. POR on 1/13, the Nuggets knocked down 21, marking the first time in franchise history Denver has
made 20+ threes in back-to-back games and just the 28th time in NBA history a team has accomplished that feat.
The Nuggets also had a season-high tying 35 assists against the Lakers, followed by 31 assists against the Clippers on 1/19, improving to 9-2 when handing out
30+ assists and 19-6 when having 25+ assists in a game. It also marked the third straight game Denver had 35+ assists, the first time doing that since December
1990.
GETTING BIZZY WITH IT
When Bones Hyland is playing well, that usually means the Nuggets are succeeding and that was exactly the case vs. LAL on 1/15. The rookie had the best game of his career,
posting career-highs in points (27), rebounds (10), minutes played (34), field-goal attempts (15), three-point field goals (6), three-point attempts (10) and tied career-highs in
steals (2), field goals (8), free throws (5) and free throw attempts (5). It also marked Hyland’s first career double-double
Hyland is the only rookie in the NBA this season to post 27+ points, 10+ rebounds, 2+ assists and 2+ steals … The Nuggets are now 9-0 when Hyland scores 10+
points. Finally, Bones joins Will Barton and Wilson Chandler as just the third Nugget to come off the bench and post 27+ points with 6+ made three-pointers.
SECOND UNIT STEPS UP
The Nuggets bench hasn’t been a strong suit for Denver this season with lineups being interchanged often due to injuries or COVID protocols. However, the bench was fantastic
on 1/13 vs. Portland helping the Nuggets cruise to a 140-108 home victory. The 140 points marked a season-high and it was the first time scoring 140+ points in a non-overtime
game since scoring 146 vs. the Pelicans on 11/17/17. The bench was led by Facundo Campazzo who posted 18 points (7-10 FG, 3-6 3FG), a season-high tying 12 assists and
four steals in 27 minutes for his second double-double of the year.
Campazzo became just the fifth reserve in the NBA since 1980-81 to have 18+ points, 12+ assists and 4+ steals, joining Mike Gale, Clyde Drexler, Brevin Knight
and Jrue Holiday. The other strong performance from the second unit came from Bones Hyland who posted 17 points (6-12 FG, 5-8 3FG), four rebounds and three
assists in 23 minutes Bones has proven to be a key to the Nuggets success as they are now 8-0 this season when Bones scores 10+ points.
YEAH BABBYYYYY
Austin Rivers tenure in Oklahoma City years ago was minimal, as he never suited up for the Thunder after being included in a trade and later waived. But Rivers had his best
game of the season at OKC on 1/9. He helped the Nuggets win 99-95, as he posted a season-high 22 points (8-13 FG’s, 6-9 3FG’s), a season-high tying five rebounds and one
assist in 30 minutes.
It was the fifth time this season a reserve has scored 20+ for the Nuggets (done by five different players). Rivers was on fire from long distance, connecting on
six threes, making at least one each quarter. Denver is now 35-7 all time when a bench player makes six or more threes in game.
FACUNDO THE MAGICIAN
The pride of Cordoba, Argentina saw his second start of the season at Houston on 1/1 due to a COVID depleted team. Campazzo dazzled on the court all night, leading the
Nuggets in multiple categories, helping them win 124-111 for their third straight road victory. Campazzo finished with a career-high 22 points (7-11 FG’s, 3-5 3FG’s), a careerhigh tying 12 assists, a career-high tying five steals and four rebounds in 34 minutes. He had an historic night, becoming the first Nuggets guard with 22+ points, 10+
assists and 5+ steals in a game since Allen Iverson in 2008.
FACU/MONTE MAGIC
Facundo Campazzo and Monte Morris have both stepped up when the Nuggets have
needed them. They are a big reason why Denver has been able to stay afloat early in
the season while getting hit with a serious injury bug. Campazzo and Morris helped
lead the Nuggets to a 133-115 road victory over the Atlanta Hawks on 12/17. Denver had a season-high 35 assists and had six players score in double figures.

MATINEE AT THE MECCA
The Nuggets seven game road trip rolled along with an afternoon contest against the New York Knicks on 12/4. Denver got their second win of the trip, in blowout fashion,
winning wire-to-wire 113-99. It marked the 13th win in the last 14 meetings against the Knicks. The Nuggets were led by Nikola Jokić who had 32 points, 11 rebounds and five
assists in just 27 minutes, the Joker helped put the game away by having a 15-point third quarter. The bench unit was led by Zeke Nnaji’s career night, who finished with
a career-high 21 points (7-13 FG’s, 5-9 3FG’s), eight rebounds and two steals in a career-high 34 minutes.
Denver made 20 three’s in the game, tying for the fifth most in Nuggets history, with all nine players who attempted one making at least one.
BACK ON TRACK
The Nuggets went through one of their roughest patches in recent years, losing six straight games but quickly put a stop to that streak in South Beach on 11/29. Nikola
Jokić returned to action after missing four games due to right wrist sprain and it made all the difference, leading the Nugget to a 120-111 win. It was a balanced scoring
attack for Denver as seven players scored 10+ points. But the big man led the way, posting 24 points on 9-14 shooting, 15 rebounds and seven assists in 33 minutes.
The Nuggets are now 47-10 all time when the Joker gets 15+ rebounds. Jokić has four games this season with 24+ points, 15+ rebounds and 7+ assists,
while the rest of the NBA have combined for four such games.
THRILLING START
Will Barton has done everything that the Nuggets have asked of him to start the season. Barton has been the
consistent for Denver, where injuries have been a theme and various lineups used. The 10-year vet has been playing
some of the best basketball of his career, averaging career highs in and helping lead the Nuggets night in and night
out.
SUB 100 CLUB
The Nuggets defense has been elite, especially in the Mile High City and it was on full display
during the Nuggets five game homestand. Denver went 5-0 at Ball Arena, capped by a 124-95 victory
over the Portland Trail Blazers on 11/14. Denver held Portland to just 95 points, the 10th time the
Nuggets have held their opponent to under 100 points this season (9-1), the most in the NBA. It also
marked the first time in franchise history they swept a five game homestand and held each
opponent to under 100 points
To start the season, the Nuggets held all eight opponents at home to under 100 points (7-1).
It was the longest such streak at home since March 2005.
BARTON GETTING BUCKETS
Missing three starters due to injury and suspension, the Nuggets needed the next man to step up against the Indiana Pacers and Will Barton did just that. Barton recorded a season-high 30 points (11-19 FG, 6-9 3FG), six rebounds, three assists and two steals in 34 minutes, leading the Nuggets to a third straight win.
It was Barton’s first career game with 30+ points, 6+ rebounds, 3+ assists and 2+ steals and marks the eighth time in his career he has scored 30+ points (6-2). Over his last nine games he has been on fire from long range, going 37-92 (.402) from beyond the arc.
BACK-2-BACK GAME DOMINANCE
The Nuggets overcame a tough back-to-back schedule as they traveled late into the night to Minnesota on 10/29 after defeating the Mavericks at home. Arriving at the hotel at 4am, Denver responded, taking down the Timberwolves 93-91, winning their 12the straight game against Minnesota. Denver has responded well over the last several seasons when it comes to back-to-backs, since 2018-19 the Nuggets hold a 28-11 record on no rest, the best record in the NBA over that span.
Once again, the defense was astounding, holding Minnesota to 91 points, and they now have held and their opponent under 100 in five of six games to
start the season for the second time in franchise history. The Nuggets currently hold the #1 rated defense in the league, allowing 96.8 points per game and
42.7% field goal shooting.
D” IN DENVER
It was a defensive showcase for the Nuggets against the Dallas Mavericks at Ball Arena on 10/29, as Denver defeated Dallas 106-75, moving their record to 3-2. It was one of the best defensive games for the Nuggets in years, allowing only 75 points – the fewest in a game since 1/6/16 (74 vs. Minnesota) and the 26th time in franchise history they held an opponent to 75 points or less.
The Nuggets also held Dallas to 29.5% shooting from the field, the first time an opponent shot under 30% from the field since 2/27/09 vs. LAL (28-
94, .298 FG%). The Mavericks scored just 31 points in the second half, and had only two players score in double figures, the fewest Denver has allowed since 12/22/19 at LAL.