MAPLE LEAFS AT RANGERS NOTES: Auston Matthews is tied for third in goals (21). He is second in the NHL in even-strength goals (16) and is tied for 12th in the league in even-strength points (16-10-26). He is tied for ninth with 128 shots on goal. He has an on-ice goals-for percentage of 57.6 percent at 5-on-5, which is tied for third among Toronto skaters.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (17-14-4 – 38 Points) vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS (16-13-4 – 36 Points)

DECEMBER 20, 2019 ▪ 7:00 PM EST

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN (NEW YORK, NY) ▪
TV: SPORTSNET ONTARIO ▪ RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN

MAPLE LEAFS HISTORY versus NEW YORK RANGERS

ALL-TIME RECORD:287-222-95-10 (614 Games)
ALL-TIME AT HOME:168-94-39-5 (306 Games)
2018-19:1-1-1
LAST FIVE:3-1-1
LAST 10:5-3-2

MAPLE LEAFS CAREER LEADERS versus NEW YORK RANGERS

GAMES PLAYED:John Tavares (46), Jason Spezza (42), Cody Ceci (18)
GOALS:John Tavares (14), Jason Spezza (13), Zach Hyman (5)
ASSISTS:John Tavares (27), Jason Spezza (22), Tyson Barrie (10)
POINTS:John Tavares (41), Jason Spezza (35), Tyson Barrie (12)
PENALTY MINUTES:John Tavares (44), Jason Spezza (24), Zach Hyman (7)

MAPLE LEAFS – RANGERS TEAM STATS

 TORONTONEW YORK
GOALS FOR (Rank):114 (t-6th)105 (18th)
GOALS AGAINST (Rank):       110 (t-18th)104 (14th)
POWER PLAY [%] (Rank):19/93 [20.4%] (12th)23/116 [19.8%] (t-14th)
PENALTY KILL [%] (Rank):80/105 [76.1%] (26th)93/120 [77.5%] (23rd)
SHOTS (Rank):1169 (5th)967 (30th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPTS FOR (Rank):1784 (4th)1285 (31st)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % (Rank):52.6% (t-5th)44.0% (32nd)
FACEOFF % (Rank):52.4% (t-2nd)46.0% (30th)

MAPLE LEAFS – RANGERS NOTES

FIRST MATCHUP BETWEEN CLUBS:Nov. 20, 1926 vs. New York (New York 5, Toronto 1)
ALL-TIME RECORD:287-222-95-10 (614 Games)
ALL-TIME RECORD AT HOME:168-94-39-5 (306 Games)
ALL-TIME RECORD ON THE ROAD:119-128-56-5 (308 Games)
LAST WIN VS. OPPONENT ON THE ROAD:Feb. 1, 2018 (Toronto 4, New York 0)

MAPLE LEAFS MILESTONES vs. RANGERS

Tyson Barrie300th NHL game (Dec. 31, 2016 vs. NYR)
Frederik Gauthier100th NHL game (March 23, 2019 vs. NYR)
Zach Hyman100th NHL game (Oct. 7, 2017 vs. NYR)
Alex KerfootFirst NHL game (Oct. 5, 2017 (COL) at NYR)
First NHL point (Assist) (Oct. 5, 2017 (COL) at NYR)
Martin Marincin100th game as a Maple Leaf (Dec. 22, 2018 vs. NYR)
Jason Spezza500th NHL assist (Jan. 5, 2016 (DAL) at NYR)
  

MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS

CATEGORYLEADER
GOALS21 (Matthews)
ASSISTS20 (Marner, Rielly)
POINTS36 (Matthews)
POWER PLAY POINTS10 (Matthews)
SHORTHANDED POINTS(Engvall, Kapanen)
PIMs24 (Muzzin)
SHOTS128 (Matthews)
FACEOFF WIN%58.2% (Gauthier)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %55.5% (Matthews)
BLOCKED SHOTS60 (Ceci)
TAKEAWAYS36 (Marner)
HITS79 (Muzzin)
TOI PER GAME24:30 (Rielly)
PP TOI PER GAME2:56 (Marner)
SH TOI PER GAME3:07 (Ceci)

MAPLE LEAFS PLAYER NOTES

Frederik Andersen– Is 9-4-0 on the road this season with a 2.32 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.
– Has made nine career appearances against the Rangers and is 5-2-2 with a 2.78 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.- Leads the NHL in wins (17).- Third in the NHL in saves (804) and second in even-strength saves (677).- Tied for third in the NHL in shootout saves (11).
Tyson Barrie– Averaging 14.2 shot attempts per 60 minutes of ice time, which is the seventh-highest average among NHL defencemen who have appeared in 30 games.
– Has been on the ice for the 10th-most shot attempts for (668) among NHL skaters.
– Has an on-ice shot attempt differential of plus-109, which is tied for 11th among NHL defencemen.
Cody Ceci– Has an on-ice goal differential of plus-six at even-strength, which is tied for the third highest even-strength goal differential among Toronto skaters.- 13th among NHL skaters in shorthanded time on ice (109:04).
Justin Holl– Has started his 44.4 percent of his 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone, which is the lowest mark among Toronto defencemen who have appeared in at least 10 games.- Has an unblocked shot attempt percentage of 53.5 percent at 5-on-5, which is tied for the lead among Toronto defencemen who have appeared in at least 10 games.
Michael Hutchinson– Sixth among NHL goaltenders who have appeared in fewer than 10 games in saves (197).
Zach Hyman– Has a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 53.7 percent, which ranks ninth among Toronto skaters who have played 10 games.
– Has an on-ice goals-for percentage of 57.8 percent, which ranks second among Toronto skaters. 
Kasperi Kapanen– Has seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) in nine games against Metropolitan Division teams.- Seventh among Toronto skaters in even-strength points (6-7-13).- Has played 37.3 percent of the Maple Leafs’ shorthanded ice time, which ranks third among Toronto forwards.
Alex Kerfoot– Tied for fifth among Toronto skaters in even-strength goals (5).- Lone Toronto forward to have recorded at least 20 hits (27) and 20 blocked shots (23) this season.
Mitch Marner– Averaging 0.54 primary assists per game, which ranks eighth among NHLers who have appeared in at least 20 games.- Tied for first among NHLers who have appeared in 25 or fewer games in assists (20).- Tied for third in the NHL in takeaways (36). Averages 4.43 takeaways per 60 minutes of ice time, which ranks second among NHLers who have skated in at least 20 games.- Ninth among NHL forwards in shifts per game (25.6).
Auston Matthews– Tied for third among NHL skaters in goals (21).- Second among NHL skaters in even-strength goals (16).- Tied for 12th among NHL skaters in even-strength points (16-10-26).- Tied for ninth in the NHL with 128 shots on goal.- Has an on-ice goals-for percentage of 57.6 percent at 5-on-5, which is tied for third among Toronto skaters.
Ilya Mikheyev– Averaging 9.4 shots on goal per 60 minutes of shorthanded ice time, which is the second-highest average among NHLers who have played at least 60 shorthanded minutes.- Leads all NHL rookies in shorthanded ice time (70:26).- Ranks second among NHL rookies and is fourth among Maple Leafs in even-strength points (5-13-18).
Jake Muzzin– Has drawn nine penalties this season, which leads Toronto defencemen and is tied for second among Maple Leafs skaters.- Averages 0:47 in ice time per shift, which is tied for the fourth-lowest average shift length among defencemen who average at least 21:00 per game in ice time.
William Nylander– Has recorded nine primary assists, which is tied for second among Toronto skaters.  – Averages 2.12 points per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which ranks fifth among Maple Leafs skaters.- Has recorded six points (2 goals, 4 assists) in nine career games against the New York Rangers.
Morgan Rielly– Tied for 15th among NHL defencemen in points (3-20-23).- Tied for 10th among NHL defencemen in even-strength points
(3-14-17).- Fourth among NHL defencemen in assists recorded at 5-on-5 (13).- Ranks 12th among NHL skaters in TOI per game (24:30).- Tied for eighth among NHL skaters in shifts per game (28.5).
Jason Spezza– Averaging 2.45 points per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 this season, which ranks second Toronto skaters.- Averaging 1.36 primary assists per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time in 2019-20, which is the sixth-highest average among NHLers who have appeared in at least 20 games.
John Tavares– Has 41 points (14 goals, 27 assists) in 46 career games against the Rangers, which ranks ninth among active NHLers in points recorded against New York.- Averaging 16.8 shot attempts per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which is the fifth-highest average among NHL centres who have appeared in 20 games.- Ranks second among Maple Leafs in points (10-8-18; 20 GP) since returning to the lineup from injury on November 5. – Has a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 55.0 percent, which ranks third among Toronto skaters who have appeared in at least 20 games. 

CURRENT POINT STREAKS

Frederik GauthierHas goals (2) and points (2-1-3) in two consecutive games.
Mitch MarnerHas points (2-6-8) in five consecutive games.
Ilya MikheyevHas goals (2) in two consecutive games.
Morgan RiellyHas assists (2) in two consecutive games.
Dmytro TimashovHas points (1-1-2) in two consecutive games.
  

UPCOMING MILESTONES

Alex KerfootFour points from 100 NHL points

RECENT MILESTONES

Frederik Andersen200th NHL win (December 14 at Edmonton)
  

INJURY REPORT

Andreas Johnsson (Leg)On injured reserve.
Trevor Moore (Shoulder)On injured reserve.
 Man Games Lost: 72

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

December 19Recalled forward Adam Brooks and defenceman Martin Marincin from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) on an emergency basis.
December 18Loaned forward Adam Brooks and defencemen Timothy Liljegren and Martin Marincin to the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
December 17Recalled forward Adam Brooks from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) on an emergency basis.
December 16Recalled defencemen Timothy Liljegren and Martin Marincin from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) on an emergency basis.

RANGERS NOTES

INJURIES (67 Man-Games Lost to Injury)
Libor Hajek (knee sprain) – has missed six games

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
None

TONIGHT’S GAME The Rangers play their 34th game of the 2019-20 season and continue a three-game homestand tonight, Dec. 20, against the Toronto Maple Leafs in an Original Six matchup at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG 2, Radio: ESPN 1050 AM). New York has earned at least one point in nine of the last 13 games (7-4-2 record) and has won eight of the last 15 games (8-5-2 record). The Rangers have also earned at least one point in 14 of the last 21 games (11-7-3 record) and in 18 of the last 27 games (14-9-4 record).

RANGERS VS. MAPLE LEAFS
All-Time*: 232-280-95-7 (133-115-56-4 at home; 99-165-39-3 on the road) *Note: The first three games between the two franchises
were when the Maple Leafs franchise was called the Toronto St. Patricks. The franchise changed its name during the 1926-27
season.
2019-20: Tonight’s game is the first of three meetings between the Rangers and Maple Leafs, and the first of two meetings between
the two teams at MSG. Following tonight’s game, the Rangers and Maple Leafs will face each other on the following dates: Dec. 28
(at Toronto), Feb. 5 (at MSG).
2018-19: The Rangers posted a 2-1-0 record (1-0-0 at home; 1-1-0 on the road). Two of the three contests were decided by two or
fewer goals. Alexandar Georgiev posted a 2-1-0 record, along with a 2.01 GAA and a .956 SV% (130 saves on 136 shots) in three
appearances in the season series. Georgiev made a single-game career-high 55 saves in the Rangers’ win against Toronto on Feb.
10, 2019, and the 55 saves were also the most any Rangers goaltender has made in a game the team won in franchise history.
Georgiev also made 44 saves in the Blueshirts’ 2-1 win on Mar. 23, 2019 at Toronto, and he became the first Rangers goaltender
since expansion (1967-68) to post two 40-save wins against one opponent in the same season.
The Rangers have won eight of their last 13 games against Toronto, dating back to Feb. 10, 2015 (8-5-0 record).

RANGERS-MAPLE LEAFS CONNECTIONS
Greg McKegg was selected by Toronto in the third round (62nd overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, played in the Maple Leafs
organization for parts of four seasons (2010-11; 2012-13 – 2014-15), and skated in four NHL games with Toronto over parts of two
seasons (2013-14 and 2014-15).
The Rangers have five Ontario-born players on their roster: Greg McKegg (St. Thomas, ON), Micheal Haley (Guelph, ON), Brendan
Smith (Mimico, ON), Marc Staal (Thunder Bay, ON), and Ryan Strome (Mississauga, ON).
Brendan Shanahan played two seasons with the Rangers (2006-07 and 2007-08).
William Nylander is the son of Michael Nylander, who played two seasons with the Rangers (2005-06 and 2006-07).

Adam Brooks represented the Rangers at the 2015 Traverse City Tournament.
Ryan Strome and John Tavares were teammates with the Islanders for parts of four seasons (2013-14 – 2016-17).
Brendan Smith and John Tavares were teammates with the Toronto Marlboros Bantam AAA Team in 2003-04 and the Toronto
Marlboros Minor Midget AAA Team in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) in 2004-05.

INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. MAPLE LEAFS
Alexandar Georgiev – 3 GP, 2-1-0, 2.01 GAA, .956 SV% – Georgiev has earned a win in each of his last two appearances against
the Maple Leafs, posting a 0.99 GAA and a .980 SV% (99 saves on 101 shots) in those two contests. He made a single-game
career-high 55 saves and earned a win on Feb. 10, 2019 against Toronto at MSG, and he made 44 saves to earn a win on Mar. 23,
2019 at Toronto. Georgiev has stopped 130 of 136 shots he has faced in three career appearances against the Maple Leafs.
Artemi Panarin – 10 GP, 4-8-12 – Panarin has recorded a point in eight of 10 career games against the Maple Leafs.
Chris Kreider – 16 GP, 4-10-14 – Kreider has tallied a point in each of his last four games against Toronto (one goal, five assists).
Ryan Strome – 16 GP, 3-6-9 – Strome has tallied seven points (three goals, four assists) in his last 11 games against Toronto, and
he registered the game-winning goal in overtime in the Rangers’ last game against the Maple Leafs on Mar. 23, 2019.
POINT TAKEN The Rangers have posted a 7-4-2 record in their last 13 games, dating back to Nov. 23 at Montreal. New York’s 16 points over the span are tied for the 11th-most in the NHL. In addition, the Blueshirts have posted a 13-8-3 record in their last 24 games, dating back to Oct. 29 vs. Tampa Bay. The Rangers’ 29 points over the span are tied for the 12th-most in the NHL.

YOUTH SERVED The Rangers are the only NHL team that has had eight players 21 years old or younger appear in at least one game in 2019-20. At least one Ranger who is 21 years old or younger has notched a point on 38 of the team’s last 61 goals.

WINNING WAYS The Rangers have earned 14 wins in regulation this season, which is tied for the ninth-most in the NHL, tied for the fourth-most in the Eastern Conference, and tied for the third-most in the Metropolitan Division.

BREAD AND BUTTER Either Artemi Panarin or Mika Zibanejad has registered nine of the Rangers’ last 10 goals, dating to the second period on Dec. 12 at San Jose, and at least one of the two players has tallied a point on each of the team’s 10 goals over the span. Either Panarin or Zibanejad has recorded 11 of the Blueshirts’ last 13 goals, as well as 12 of the team’s 17 goals over the last five games.

GOALS GALORE The Blueshirts have tallied three or more goals in 15 of the last 21 games and in 20 of 33 games this season. The Rangers rank 10th in the NHL in goals per game this season (3.18).

ON POINT Rangers defensemen have tallied 91 points (26 goals, 65 assists) in 2019-20. The 26 goals and 91 points by Rangers defensemen are both tied for the most in the NHL this season. Blueshirts defensemen have recorded 24.8% of the team’s goals and 31.9% of the team’s points in 2019-20, which are both the highest percentages in the NHL.

SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS The Rangers have outshot their opponent in three of the last four games and have registered 133 shots on goal (33.3 per game) while only allowing 110 shots on goal (27.5 per game) over the span. New York has recorded 30 or more shots on goal in each of the last four games and has held its opponent to fewer than 30 shots on goal in three of the last four contests.

WIZARDS AT RAPTORS NOTES: SIAKAM, GASOL, POWELL OUT INDEFINITELY FOR TORONT0

INJURY REPORTS AT 1:30 P.M. FRIDAY

Toronto Raptors Gasol, Marc Out Injury/Illness – Left Hamstring; Strain Johnson, Stanley Out Injury/Illness – Left Groin; Stress reaction Ponds, Shamorie Out G League – Two-Way Powell, Norman Out Injury/Illness – Left Shoulder; Subluxation Siakam, Pascal Out Injury/Illness – Groin; Stretch Thomas, Matt Out Injury/Illness – Left Finger; Middle; fracture – distal phalanx VanVleet, Fred Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Contusion

Washington Wizards Bryant, Thomas Out Injury/Illness – Right Foot; Right foot stress reaction Hachimura, Rui Out Injury/Illness – Groin; Groin injury McRae, Jordan Out Injury/Illness – Right Ring Finger; Right ring finger surgery Miles, CJ Out Injury/Illness – Left Wrist; Left Wrist Surgery Robinson, Justin Out G League – On Assignment Wagner, Moritz Out Injury/Illness – Left Ankle; Sprained left ankle Wall, John Out Injury/Illness – Left Achilles; Left Achilles rehab

RAPTORS NOTES

• The Toronto Raptors host the Washington Wizards on Friday night at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors swept the season-series (4-0) with Washington in 2018-19 for the third time in the last five seasons. Since 2014-15, Toronto is 15-3 vs. the Wizards during the regular-season. The Raptors have won three in a row over Washington at home. Kyle Lowry averaged 17.3 points, 11.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds in four games against the Wizards last season.

• The Raptors currently ranks second in the NBA averaging 10.0 steals in December (nine games), behind only Chicago (10.4). Norman Powell leads the team with 17 steals this month. Toronto has now finished with more steals than its opponent in each of the last 10 games (Nov. 29 – Dec. 18). It’s the longest streak in the NBA team this season and is the second-longest such stretch in Raptors history. Toronto had more steals than its opponent in 11 consecutive games in 2007–08.

Kyle Lowry recorded his first triple-double of the season, and 13th in a Raptors uniform, with 20 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in 39 minutes Dec. 18 at Detroit. Lowry’s 13 triple-doubles are now one more than all other Raptors combined. The last player to record a triple-double for Toronto other than Lowry was Jose Calderon on Dec. 16, 2012 vs. Houston. The Raptors have won the last 10 regular-season games in which Lowry has tallied at least 20 points and 10 assists in the same game.

• Toronto outscored Detroit 15-10 on the fast-break Wednesday night and currently sit second in the NBA in fast-break points per game (19.3), trailing only Milwaukee (19.5). Pascal Siakam and Norman Powell are both among the NBA leaders in fast-break points this season. TOP-FIVE: Giannis Antetokounmpo (177), Lebron James (142), Siakam (123), Ben Simmons (107) and Powell (106).

Pascal Siakam recorded a team-high 26 points, five rebounds and tied a career high with four blocks Dec. 18 at Detroit. Siakam has now scored 20+ points in a career-long five straight games (Dec. 9-18). He is averaging 27.0 points, while shooting .500 (17-for-34) from three-point range during this stretch.

Serge Ibaka scored a season-high 25 points and led the Raptors with 13 rebounds in 31 minutes off the bench Wednesday night at Detroit. The last time Ibaka had 25+ points and 13+ rebounds in the same game was Nov. 14, 2013 at Golden State when he was a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Patrick McCaw has played at least 20 minutes in three straight games for the first time since March 2018, when he had a streak of five consecutive games with 20 or more minutes with the Golden State Warriors.

• December is Toronto’s busiest month of the season with 16 games and includes three back-to-back sets. The Raptors’ 11 games at Scotiabank Arena tie the franchise record for most home games in a calendar month . Toronto also played 11 games at home in March 2016. For the first time the Raptors will play at home Christmas Day when they host the Boston Celtics.

Pascal Siakam is one of five players in the NBA averaging 24.0+ points, 8.0+ rebounds and 3.0+ assists this season, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic and Karl-Anthony Towns. No Raptor has ever averaged 24.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists throughout an entire season.

POSSIBLE STARTERS

F – OG ANUNOBY #3

MIN: 29.9 REB: 5.7 AST: 1.7 STL: 1.2 TO: 1.2 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 11.3

• Finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes Dec. 18 at Detroit. • Toronto is 13-2 this season when Anunoby scores 10 or more points (Last: 19 – Dec. 18 at Detroit). • Shooting .619 (13-for-21) from the field over the last two games (Dec. 16-18).

F – CHRIS BOUCHER #25

MIN: 11.4 REB: 3.9 AST: 0.5 STL: 0.3 TO: 0.3 BLK: 0.7 PTS: 5.1

• Tallied two points and one rebound in six minutes Dec. 18 at Detroit. • Has scored in double figures off the bench six times this season and posted three double-doubles. • Named NBA G League Most Valuable Player and NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year in 2018-19.

C – SERGE IBAKA #9

MIN: 22.4 REB: 7.4 AST: 1.3 STL: 0.5 TO: 1.9 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 13.1

• Contributed a season-high 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in 31 minutes off the bench Dec. 18 at Detroit. • Has led the reserves in scoring a team-high 13 times, including each of the last three games (Dec. 14-18). • Averaged 16.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 29.5 minutes in 51 starts last season for Toronto.

G – PATRICK McCAW #22

MIN: 21.2 REB: 2.0 AST: 1.7 STL: 0.7 TO: 1.2 BLK: 0.0 PTS: 3.0

• Totaled two points, three rebounds, and two assists in 27 minutes as a reserve Dec. 18 at Detroit. • Missed 17 games (Nov. 6 – Dec. 9) earlier this year following arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. • Averaging 6.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 24.8 minutes in 31 career games as a starter.

G – KYLE LOWRY #7

MIN: 37.4 REB: 5.0 AST: 7.3 STL: 1.3 TO: 2.9 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 19.1

• Recorded a triple-double with 20 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds in 39 minutes Dec. 18 at Detroit. • Passed Antonio Davis (110) for third on the Raptors’ all-time double-doubles list against the Pistons. • Averaging 16.4 points and 8.0 assists in eight games (Dec. 3-18) since returning from a left thumb injury.

INJURY REPORT Marc Gasol (Left hamstring; strain) – Out Stanley Johnson (Left groin; stress reaction) – Out Norman Powell (Left shoulder; subluxation ) – Out Pascal Siakam (Groin; stretch) – Out Matt Thomas (Left middle finger; distal phalanx fracture) – Out Fred VanVleet (right knee contusion) – Que

RAPTORS INJURY UPDATES

The Raptors provided the following injury updates on Thursday:

  • Marc Gasol sustained a strained left hamstring in the first quarter of play Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Detroit. He was reevaluated on Thursday and it was determined he will be out indefinitely.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_9541.jpg
  • With 6:47 to play in the fourth quarter, Pascal Siakam sustained a stretched groin after an awkward landing. He was evaluated Thursday and will be listed as out indefinitely.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_9568.jpg
  • Norman Powell left the same game with 3:17 to play in the fourth quarter after a collision with another player. After testing in Toronto on Thursday, it was determined he had sustained a subluxation of the left shoulder. He will also be out indefinitely.

All three players will be reevaluated over the coming weeks and their conditions updated as necessary.

-RAPTORS-

WIZARDS PROBABLE STARTERS

WIZARDS NOTES

ISAAC BONGA

• Tied a career high with six rebounds on 12/18 vs. CHI • Tied career highs in points, rebounds and steals on 12/16 at DET

• Has improved in every statistical category this season over his rookie campaign.

DAVIS BERTANS

• Became the fifth-fastest player in NBA history to 100 3-pointers (26 games) • Is the fastest Wizard to 100 3-pointers, breaking Gilbert Arenas’ previous record of 31 games

• Ranks second in the NBA with three games of seven or more makes from behind the arc.

IAN MAHINMI

• Has multiple blocked shots in three of his last five games • On 12/14 at MEM, made his first start since 10/30/18

BRADLEY BEAL • On 12/18 vs. CHI, recorded his 50th game of 20/5/5 in the last three seasons • Has 16 games with 20+ points and five-plus assists, the second-highest total in the Eastern Conference • One of four players this season with multiple 35-point, 10-assist games • No. 5 in the NBA with 27.6 ppg .

ISAIAH THOMAS

• Returned to the starting lineup on 12/16 at DET after missing four games with a calf injury; put up 23 points and knocked down five shots from deep • Hit the 3,000th field goal of his career on 12/16 at DET.


STARTERS AVERAGES VS. TORONTO RAPTORS

Bonga: N/A career / N/A (18-19)

Bertans: 8.4 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.0 ast (career) / 10.5 pts, 3.5 reb, 0.5 ast (18-19) Mahinmi: 4.7 pts, 4.0 reb, 0.6 ast (career) / 3.0 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.0 ast (18-19)

Beal: 23.4 pts, 4.7 reb, 4.9 ast (career) / 30.8 pts, 5.0 reb, 9.5 ast (18-19) Thomas: 20.1 pts, 2.3 reb, 5.3 ast (career) / N/A (18-19)

MARLIES: Ian Scott has hip surgery

TORONTO, CANADA – SEPTEMBER 12: Ian Scott of the Toronto Maple Leafs poses for his official headshot for the 2019-2020 season on September 12, 2019 at Ford Performance Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)

IAN SCOTT INJURY UPDATE

The Toronto Marlies announced today that goaltender Ian Scott has undergone successful hip surgery to correct ongoing issues related to impingement. He is expected to miss a minimum of six months but the team anticipates Scott to be ready for training camp in 2020.

Scott, 20, has not appeared in any game action this season due to injury. In 2018-19, the Calgary native went 38-8-1-2 with a 1.83 goals-against average, a .932 save percentage and eight shutouts with the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL). He was named the CHL Goaltender of the Year, captured the Del Wilson Trophy as the WHL’s top goaltender and was named to the WHL (East) First All-Star Team. He went on to post a 16-6-1-0 record in the postseason with a 1.96 goals-against average, .925 save percentage and five shutouts to lead the Raiders to a WHL Championship, earning recognition as the WHL Playoff MVP. Scott also represented Canada at the 2019 World Junior Hockey Championships.

Scott was originally selected by the Maple Leafs in the fourth round (110th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft and signed an entry-level contract on December 14, 2018.

###

Brewers, Eric Sogard agree on one-year, $4.5 million deal — HardballTalk

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported earlier today that the Brewers and infielder Eric Sogard agreed on a one-year, $4.5 million contract that includes a club option for 2021. Sogard, 33, is coming off of a career year in which he hit .290/.353/.457 with 23 doubles, 13 home runs, 40 RBI, 59 runs scored, and eight […]

Brewers, Eric Sogard agree on one-year, $4.5 million deal — HardballTalk.

Jarvis Landry denies telling Cardinals “come get me” — ProFootballTalk

Odell Beckham wasn’t the only Browns wide receiver to spend part of Wednesday discussing reports that he’s been trying to work his way out of Cleveland come the offseason. Beckham said he plans to be with the Browns and wide receiver Jarvis Landry rejected a report from Michael Silver of NFL Media that he told…

Jarvis Landry denies telling Cardinals “come get me” — ProFootballTalk

Doc Rivers hints at Clippers’ championship potential — Press Telegram

LOS ANGELES — The guy running this experiment says he’s noted several positive indicators, but he’s quick to caution that it’s too early to confirm his hypothesis. “I think I do know about this team. I just … have no proof of it,” said coach Doc Rivers, whose Clippers will host the 18-9 Houston Rockets…

Doc Rivers hints at Clippers’ championship potential — Press Telegram

ANDREESCU NAMED 2019 TENNIS CANADA TOP FEMALE PLAYER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BIANCA ANDREESCU NAMED 2019 TENNIS CANADA FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Andreescu also named Singles Player of the Year and Most Improved Player; Gabriela Dabrowski is the Doubles Player of the Year and Leylah Annie Fernandez is named Junior Player of the Year.

Montreal, December 18, 2019 — Tennis Canada announced on Wednesday that Bianca Andreescu is the winner of the 2019 Excellence Awards in the categories of Female Player of the YearSingles Player of the Year and Most Improved Player. In addition, Gabriela Dabrowski has been named once again as the Doubles Player of the Year while Leylah Annie Fernandez is the Junior Player of the Year.

“We would like to offer sincere congratulations to Bianca, Gabriela and Leylah Annie on their impressive accomplishments throughout the year,” stated Michael Downey, President and CEO at Tennis Canada. “2019 has been an exceptional year for tennis in Canada and it is notably thanks to the historic exploits of Bianca that we were able to live extraordinary moments. In addition to her success on the court, she also demonstrated that she is an outstanding ambassador for Canadian tennis. For her part, Gabriela continued to establish herself as one of the best doubles players in the world; while Leylah Annie garnered attention for her results not only in juniors, but also at the professional level. She undoubtedly has a very bright future. We are already impatiently awaiting the start of the 2020 season and we will be closely following their future exploits.”

Andreescu takes home this honour for the second time in three years. She certainly had an exceptional 2019 season which saw her make Canadian tennis history by becoming the first Canadian athlete to capture a singles Grand Slam title when she won the US Open. A few weeks earlier, Andreescu became the first Canadian in 50 years to be crowned champion at the Rogers Cup presented by National Bank, since Faye Urban in 1969. Furthermore, she won her first WTA title in March at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, during what was the beginning of her meteoric rise. The Ontario native, who began the year ranked at no. 152, rose to the no. 4 spot (on October 21). After being named “Newcomer of the Year” by the WTA and becoming the first tennis player to win the prestigious Lou Marsh Trophy, it is no surprise that she also wins the Tennis Canada Excellence Award for Most Improved Female Player.

Dabrowski and Fernandez also honoured
With her doubles ranking of no. 8, Dabrowski is the best doubles player in the country and one of the recognized specialists on the WTA tour. In July, she reached the doubles final at Wimbledon alongside partner Xu Yifan. For a third consecutive year, Dabrowski earned a spot in the year-end WTA Finals which brings together the eight best doubles teams of the year. She also added a WTA title to her collection when she won the Nuremberg Open, bringing her total to nine titles.

For her part, Fernandez, had a lot of success playing on both the junior and professional circuits in 2019. In fact, she reached the final at the Junior Australian Open and became the first Canadian player to win the title at the Junior French Open. Her success at the junior level allowed her to rise to the no. 3 spot in the ITF rankings. At the professional level, the 17-year-old won her first title at the Gatineau National Bank Challenger and followed that up with a run to the final in Granby.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

YearMale Player of the YearFemale Player of the Year
1982Réjean GenoisMarjorie Blackwood
1983Glenn MichibataCarling Bassett
1984Martin WostenholmeCarling Bassett
1985Glenn MichibataCarling Bassett
1986Andrew SznajderHelen Kelesi
1987Grant ConnellHelen Kelesi
1988Andrew SznajderJill Hetherington
1989Andrew SznajderHelen Kelesi
1990Grant ConnellHelen Kelesi
1991Grant ConnellPatricia Hy
1992Grant ConnellPatricia Hy
1993Greg RusedskiPatricia Hy
1994Sébastien LareauJana Nejedly
1995Grant ConnellPatricia Hy-Boulais
1996Sébastien LareauPatricia Hy-Boulais
1997Daniel NestorPatricia Hy-Boulais
1998No record of awardNo record of award
1999No record of awardNo record of award
2000Daniel Nestor and Sébastien LareauSonya Jeyaseelan
2001Daniel NestorJana Nejedly
2002Frédéric NiemeyerMaureen Drake
2003Daniel NestorMaureen Drake
2004Daniel NestorAleksandra Wozniak
2005Daniel NestorStéphanie Dubois
2006Frank DancevicAleksandra Wozniak
2007Daniel NestorStéphanie Dubois
2008Daniel NestorAleksandra Wozniak
2009Daniel NestorAleksandra Wozniak
2010Daniel NestorRebecca Marino
2011Milos RaonicRebecca Marino
2012Milos RaonicAleksandra Wozniak
2013Milos RaonicEugenie Bouchard
2014Milos RaonicEugenie Bouchard
2015Milos RaonicEugenie Bouchard
2016Milos RaonicEugenie Bouchard
2017Denis ShapovalovBianca Andreescu
2018Milos RaonicEugenie Bouchard
2019Will be announced December 19Bianca Andreescu

About Tennis Canada
Founded in 1890, Tennis Canada is a non-profit, national sport association with a mission to lead the growth of tennis in Canada and a vision to become a world-leading tennis nation. We value teamwork, passion, integrity, innovation and excellence. Tennis Canada owns and operates the premier Rogers Cup presented by National Bank WTA and ATP Tour events, five professional ATP and ITF sanctioned events and financially supports four other professional tournaments in Canada. Tennis Canada operates junior national training centres/programs in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary. Tennis Canada is a proud member of the International Tennis Federation, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and serves to administer, sponsor and select the teams for Davis Cup, Fed Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and all wheelchair, junior and senior national teams. Tennis Canada invests its surplus into tennis development. For more information on Tennis Canada please visit our Web site at: www.tenniscanada.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 
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Media contacts

Valérie Tétreault, Director, Communications
vtetreault@tenniscanada.com or 514-273-1515, ext. 6259

Victoria Jaklin, Coordinator, Communications and Media Relations
vjaklin@tenniscanada.com or 514-273-1515, ext. 6291

Oliver Wheeler, Coordinator, Communications
owheeler@tenniscanada.com or 416-665-9777, ext. 4545

POUR DIFFUSION IMMÉDIATE

BIANCA ANDREESCU NOMMÉE JOUEUSE DE L’ANNÉE 2019 DE TENNIS CANADA
Andreescu reçoit également les prix de Joueuse de simple de l’année et de Joueuse la plus améliorée; Gabriela Dabrowski est la Joueuse de double de l’annéeet Leylah Annie Fernandez la Joueuse junior de lannée.

Montréal, le 18 décembre 2019 — Tennis Canada a annoncé mercredi que Bianca Andreescu était la lauréate des Prix d’excellence de 2019 dans les catégories Joueuse de l’annéeJoueuse de simple de l’année et Joueuse la plus améliorée. De plus, Gabriela Dabrowski a été choisie une fois de plus Joueuse de doublede l’année, tandis que Leylah Annie Fernandez est la Joueuse junior de l’année.

« Nous offrons toutes nos félicitations à Bianca, à Gabriela et à Leylah Annie pour leurs réalisations tout au long de cette saison », a déclaré Michael Downey, président et chef de la direction de Tennis Canada. « 2019 aura été une année exceptionnelle pour le tennis canadien et c’est notamment grâce aux exploits de Bianca qui nous a fait vivre de grandes émotions. Outre ses succès sur le terrain, elle a démontré qu’elle est une ambassadrice hors pair pour le tennis canadien. Gabriela a continué de s’affirmer comme l’une des meilleures joueuses de double du monde ; tandis que Leylah Annie a su retenir l’attention grâce à ses résultats, non seulement chez les juniors, mais aussi chez les professionnelles. Elle est vouée à un très bel avenir. Nous attendons déjà avec impatience le début de la saison 2020 et nous suivrons de près leurs futurs exploits. »

Andreescu remporte cet honneur pour une deuxième fois en trois ans. Elle a effectivement connu une saison 2019 exceptionnelle au cours de laquelle elle a marqué à jamais l’histoire du tennis canadien en devenant, aux Internationaux des États-Unis, la première athlète canadienne à récolter un titre du Grand Chelem en simple. Quelques semaines auparavant, Andreescu était devenue la première Canadienne en 50 ans à être couronnée championne de la Coupe Rogers présentée par Banque Nationale, soit depuis Faye Urban en 1969. De plus, elle a remporté son premier titre de la WTA en mars dans le cadre du tournoi d’Indian Wells amorçant ainsi une ascension fulgurante. L’Ontarienne, qui a amorcé l’année au 152e rang mondial, s’est hissée au 4e échelon (en date du 21 octobre). Après avoir été nommée « Nouvelle venue de l’année » par la WTA et être devenue la première joueuse de tennis à être la lauréate du prestigieux trophée Lou-Marsh, c’est sans surprise qu’elle a également remporté le Prix d’excellence de Tennis Canada pour la Joueuse la plus améliorée.   

Dabrowski et Fernandez aussi honorées 
En vertu de son 8e rang mondial, Dabrowski est la meilleure joueuse de double du pays et l’une des vedettes de cette spécialité sur le circuit de la WTA. En juillet, elle a atteint la finale de Wimbledon aux côtés de sa partenaire Xu Yifan. Pour une troisième année consécutive, Dabrowski a obtenu son billet pour les Finales de la WTA réservées aux huit meilleures équipes de l’année. Elle a également ajouté un titre de la WTA à son tableau de chasse, soit celui de Nuremberg, pour ainsi porter son total à neuf.

Fernandez, pour sa part, a connu du succès sur les scènes junior et professionnelle en 2019. En effet, en plus d’atteindre la finale de l’épreuve junior des Internationaux d’Australie, elle est devenue la première Canadienne à conquérir les grands honneurs de l’épreuve junior de Roland-Garros. Ses succès chez les juniors lui ont permis de grimper jusqu’au 3e rang mondial au classement de l’ITF. Chez les professionnelles, l’athlète de 17 ans a remporté son premier titre lors du tournoi présenté à Gatineau, puis a enchaîné avec une présence en finale du Challenger Banque Nationale de Granby. 


JOUEURS PAR EXCELLENCE

AnnéeJoueur de l’annéeJoueuse de l’année
1982Réjean GenoisMarjorie Blackwood
1983Glenn MichibataCarling Bassett
1984Martin WostenholmeCarling Bassett
1985Glenn MichibataCarling Bassett
1986Andrew SznajderHelen Kelesi
1987Grant ConnellHelen Kelesi
1988Andrew SznajderJill Hetherington
1989Andrew SznajderHelen Kelesi
1990Grant ConnellHelen Kelesi
1991Grant ConnellPatricia Hy
1992Grant ConnellPatricia Hy
1993Greg RusedskiPatricia Hy
1994Sébastien LareauJana Nejedly
1995Grant ConnellPatricia Hy-Boulais
1996Sébastien LareauPatricia Hy-Boulais
1997Daniel NestorPatricia Hy-Boulais
1998Pas de prix décernéPas de prix décerné
1999Pas de prix décernéPas de prix décerné
2000Daniel Nestor et Sébastien LareauSonya Jeyaseelan
2001Daniel NestorJana Nejedly
2002Frédéric NiemeyerMaureen Drake
2003Daniel NestorMaureen Drake
2004Daniel NestorAleksandra Wozniak
2005Daniel NestorStéphanie Dubois
2006Frank DancevicAleksandra Wozniak
2007Daniel NestorStéphanie Dubois
2008Daniel NestorAleksandra Wozniak
2009Daniel NestorAleksandra Wozniak
2010Daniel NestorRebecca Marino
2011Milos RaonicRebecca Marino
2012Milos RaonicAleksandra Wozniak
2013Milos RaonicEugenie Bouchard
2014Milos RaonicEugenie Bouchard
2015Milos RaonicEugenie Bouchard
2016Milos RaonicEugenie Bouchard
2017Denis ShapovalovBianca Andreescu
2018Milos RaonicEugenie Bouchard
2019Sera dévoilé le 19 décembreBianca Andreescu

À propos de Tennis Canada
Tennis Canada, dont les origines remontent à 1890, est une organisation sportive nationale sans but lucratif dont la mission est d’assurer la croissance du tennis au Canada et dont la vision est de devenir un chef de file mondial au tennis. Nous valorisons le travail d’équipe, la passion, l’intégrité, l’innovation et l’excellence. Tennis Canada possède et administre deux prestigieux tournois de l’ATP Tour et de la WTA ; les volets masculin et féminin de la Coupe Rogers présentée par Banque Nationale, ainsi que cinq tournois professionnels de l’ATP et de l’ITF. De plus, il possède et soutient financièrement quatre autres tournois professionnels au Canada. Tennis Canada administre également des centres nationaux/programmes d’entraînement à Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver et Calgary. Tennis Canada est membre de la Fédération internationale de tennis, du Comité olympique canadien et du Comité paralympique canadien. De plus, Tennis Canada administre, commandite et choisit des équipes pour la Coupe Davis, la Fed Cup, les Jeux olympiques et paralympiques et forme des équipes nationales pour les juniors, les vétérans et les joueurs de tennis en fauteuil roulant. Tennis Canada investit ses excédents budgétaires dans le développement du tennis. Pour obtenir plus amples renseignements sur Tennis Canada, visitez notre site Web au www.tenniscanada.com et suivez-nous sur Facebook et Twitter.

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RAPTORS AT PISTONS PREGAME NOTES: The Pistons rank second in the NBA in bench scoring in 2019-20. Detroit’s bench is currently averaging the most bench points in a single season in franchise history with 46.5 points per game.

INJURY REPORT AT 1:30 P.M. WEDNESDAY

Detroit Pistons Bone, Jordan Out G League – Two-Way Doumbouya, Sekou Out G League – On Assignment Drummond, Andre Questionable Injury/Illness – Left Eye; Inflammation Griffin, Blake Questionable Injury/Illness – Left Knee; Soreness Jackson, Reggie Out Injury/Illness – Left Lumbar Spine; Stress Reaction King, Louis Out G League – Two-Way Thomas, Khyri Out Injury/Illness – Right Foot; Surgery

Toronto Raptors Brissett, Oshae Out G League – Two-Way Hernandez, Dewan Out G League – On Assignment Johnson, Stanley Out Injury/Illness – Left Groin; Stress reaction Ponds, Shamorie Out G League – Two-Way Thomas, Matt Out Injury/Illness – Left Finger; Middle; fracture – distal phalanx VanVleet, Fred Doubtful Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Contusion

TORONTO RAPTORS (18-8) AT DETROIT PISTONS (11-16) REGULAR SEASON GAME #28 / HOME GAME #15 LITTLE CAESARS ARENA WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019 AT 7:00 P.M. ET TV: FSD RADIO: 97.1 FM


PISTONS LAST GAME STARTERS

F 17 Tony Snell Ht: 6-7 Wt: 213 New Mexico

Averages: 8.3 Pts 1.8 Rebs 1.4 Asts 0.4 Stls 25.9 Min

LAST GAME: 10 points (two triples) and three assists in 26 minutes vs. WAS (12/16)…Ninth double-digit scoring game on year. THIS SEASON: Ranks 10th in NBA in 3FG% (.452, 47-104 3FG)…Missed four games – left hip strain (11/20-11/25)…Ranks third on team with 47 3FG…Six-straight games with two+ threes (11/2-11/12), fourstraight with three+ 3-pointers (11/4-11/11); marked career-long streaks…Five-straight games scoring 10+ pts (11/2-11/11); tied career-long streak…Season-high 24 points (9-9 FG, 6-6 3FG) vs. NYK (11/6)…Became 1st Piston, 9th NBA player to make six threes, shoot 1.000 from the field.

F 8 Markieff Morris Ht: 6-10 Wt: 245 Kansas

Averages: 11.0 Pts 4.0 Rebs 1.6 Asts 0.7 Stls 22.5 Min

LAST GAME: Season-high-tying 22 points (8-13 FG, 1-2 3FG), five rebounds, three assists, one steal in 33 minutes vs. WAS (12/16)…Third-straight double-digit scoring game. THIS SEASON: Ranks tied for 21st in NBA in 3FG% (.416, 42-of-101 3FG)…Ranks fourth on team in total rebounds (105)…Made multiple threes in 13 games… Has scored in double figures in 15 games…Recorded 1,000th career assist vs. MIN (11/11)…Has two 20-plus scoring games…Season-high four 3-pointers vs. NYK (11/6)…Scored in double-digits in four-straight games (11/6-11/12) and three-straight games (10/30-11/2).

C 7 Thon Maker Ht: 7-1 Wt: 221 South Sudan

Averages: 3.2 Pts 1.9 Rebs 0.5 Asts 0.6 Blks 11.0 Min

LAST GAME: Four points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal in 20 minutes vs. WAS (12/16)…Second start of season. THIS SEASON: Ranks third on team in blocks (16)…Five games with multiple blocks…One game with double-digit scoring (seasonhigh 12 points at MIA, 11/12)…Shooting 26-of-49 (.531) from field, 7-of-14 (.500) from 3-point range…Has played in 25 games.

G 5 Luke Kennard Ht: 6-5 Wt: 206 Duke

Averages: 16.1 Pts 3.5 Rebs 4.2 Asts 0.5 Stls 33.0 Min

LAST GAME: 14 points (6-11 FG, 2-7 3FG), six rebounds and six assists in 37 minutes vs. WAS (12/16)…19th game with multiple 3-pointers.

THIS SEASON: 67-of-170 (.394) from distance; first in 3FG on team, first in 3FGA…Has led team in scoring six times, in assists four times…Ranks T-6th in NBA in FT% (.904)…Made at least three triples in 13 games, at least four 3-pointers in seven games…Tallied double-digit scoring in 20 games, 20+ in 10 games…Three-straight games leading team in pts, minutes (11/811/12)…Career-long streak with three-straight 20-plus pt games (11/8-11/12)…Careerhigh 30 pts, career-best six 3FG at IND (10/23).

G 6 Bruce Brown Ht: 6-5 Wt: 202 Miami

Averages: 8.1 Pts 4.5 Rebs 3.7 Asts 1.1 Stls 26.4 Min

LAST GAME: 20 points (5-10 FG, 2-4 3FG, 8-8 FT), six rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks in 27 minutes vs. WAS (12/16)…Set career high for FTM (eight) and tied career high for FTA (eight)…Second career 20-plus point game. THIS SEASON: First double-double of career (16 points, career-high-tying 10 rebounds) and career-high four steals at HOU (12/14)…Ranks second on team in steals (29)…Eight games with multiple steals…Has led Pistons in passing in seven games, including threestraight (11/12-11/20)…Nine games with double-digit scoring…Career-high 11 assists at MIA (11/12)…First time in career collecting consecutive games scoring in double figures (11/2-11/4)…Career highs in points (22), FG (8), FGA (20), minutes (40) vs. BKN (11/2).

PISTONS NOTES

PISTONS POURING IT IN: Detroit has shot .385 from 3-point range this season, which ranks second in the NBA. Detroit is shooting the third-highest percentage from beyond the arc in franchise history (franchise record – .404, 1995-96).

SECOND-UNIT SUCCESS: The Pistons have had a tremendous amount of offensive production from their bench, ranking second in the NBA in bench scoring in 2019-20. Detroit’s bench is currently averaging the most bench points in a single season in franchise history.

PISTONS SINGLE-SEASON BENCH SCORING RECORD

SEASON BENCH PPG

2019-20 46.5

2010-11 39.0

1976-77 37.5

1985-86 37.5

HEADING SOUTH ACROSS THE BORDER: Detroit’s game versus Dallas on Dec. 12 marked the 10th NBA regular-season game ever played in Mexico City and the first regular-season game for the Pistons in Mexico City. Detroit had played one preseason game in Mexico City, previously squaring off with the Washington Bullets on Oct. 30, 1995 leading to a 110-99 victory at Palacio de los Deportes. The matchup with on Dec. 12 with Dallas was Detroit’s second regular-season international game (Jan. 17, 2013 vs. New York Knicks in London – the Pistons fell to the Knicks, 87-102).

COMBINED BENCH HISTORY: Detroit’s bench combined to score at least 60 points in back-to-back games (12/1-12/3), marking just the second time in franchise history the Pistons have had consecutive games with 60 or more points from their reserves. The Pistons had 75 bench points vs. SAS on Dec. 1 and 67 points on Dec. 3 at CLE. The only other time since 1970-71 (first year starters were listed) that Detroit has done so was from Dec. 26-28, 2012.

STRONG SHOWING VS. THE SPURS: The Pistons tallied a season-best 132 points vs. San Antonio on Dec. 1. Below are some highlights from the Pistons: – The Pistons led wire-to-wire for the first time this season. – Detroit’s 132 points marked a season high, while the Pistons’ 37 points in the third quarter was the most the team has scored in a third frame this season. – The 34-point win marked the largest margin of victory for Detroit this season and the franchise’s largest ever in a win over the Spurs (previous high was 32 points vs. SAS – 143-111 on Nov. 27, 1987). – The Pistons’ reserves scored 75 points, marking the highest total for bench scoring for Detroit since Dec. 26, 2012. – Detroit grabbed a season-high 50 rebounds and totaled a season-high 70 points in the paint.
OFFENSIVE OUTBURST: The Pistons erupted for 128 points vs. Atlanta on Nov. 22. Below are some details of Detroit’s offensive prowess against the Hawks: – Detroit went on a 20-0 run in the first quarter vs. Atlanta (went from down 7-17 to up 27-17), marking the longest run by the Pistons since going on a 24-0 run at Portland on Nov. 8, 2015. – Detroit scored 76 points in the first half. It is the most points in a first half by Detroit since scoring 77 points on Dec. 2, 1983 also against Atlanta. The last time Detroit scored 76-plus points in either half was Feb. 7, 1995 vs. Washington (76 in second half). – The Pistons scored 43 points in the second quarter, marking their highest-scoring quarter on the year. – The Pistons finished 49-of-82 (.598) from the floor, marking their best shooting percentage in 2019-20. – Detroit finished 17-of-34 (.500) from 3-point range. The 17 triples set a season best for the Pistons.
REVERED RESERVES:
Detroit has had three players score at least 30 points in a game off the bench this season (Kennard, Rose, Galloway), marking just the second time in franchise history that a Pistons team has had three reserves score 30-plus points in any game in a season (2010-11 – Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Richard Hamilton). Kennard, Rose and Galloway join a group of now 15 Pistons players who have ever tallied at least 30 points as a reserve.

BENCH DOUBLE-DOUBLES: Both Derrick Rose (10 points/10 rebounds) and Christian Wood (28 points/10 rebounds) tallied double-double vs. San Antonio on Dec. 1, becoming the first duo to have double-doubles in the same game off the bench for Detroit since Dec. 28, 2012 (Andre Drummond and Will Bynum). Rose also totaled 16 points and 10 assists off the bench at Toronto on Oct. 30, while Wood (19 points, 12 rebounds vs. IND, 10/28) became the first Pistons reserve to record a double-double with such numbers since Boban Marjanovic on Apr. 7, 2017.

DISHING IT AROUND: Detroit dished out a season-high 37 assists versus the New York Knicks on Nov. 6, marking the team’s most assists since recording 37 dimes in a 108-85 win over Minnesota on Feb. 16, 2010. Detroit has five games with 30 or more assists this season (most recent – 33 at CLE, 12/3).

OPENING NIGHT MADNESS: The Detroit Pistons had several historic individual achievements in the season opener at Indiana on Oct. 23. Below are some of those accomplishments: – Luke Kennard and Andre Drummond became the first Pistons duo to both score 30-plus points in a season opener. – Drummond became the first Piston to ever have 30-plus points/20-plus rebounds in a season opener. o Drummond is the first since Dennis Rodman (Jan. 2, 1991) to have any game with at least 30 points/20 rebounds. – Drummond became the first player in NBA history since at least 1973-74 with minimums of 32 points, 23 rebounds, three steals and four blocks in a season opener. o He is just the fourth NBA player to have any game with such minimums (H. Olajuwon, J.B. Carroll, D. Robinson) – (stls and blks introduced 1973-74

RAPTORS 133, CAVALIERS 113 POST GAME NOTES: The Raptors scored a season-high 133 points … Toronto shot .584 (52-for-89) from the field and 50 per cent (16-for-32) from three-point range … The Raptors shot .632 (24-for-38) from the floor in the second half.

FINAL SCORE: TORONTO RAPTORS 133, CLEVELAND CAVALIERS 113

DATE: DECEMBER 16, 2019 ATTENDANCE: 19,800 (Sellout)

FINAL SCORE RECORD HIGH POINTS HIGH REBOUNDS HIGH ASSISTS Cleveland 113 6-21 Sexton – 25 Thompson – 8 Garland/Henson – 5

Toronto 133 18-8 Siakam – 33 Anunoby – 9 Lowry – 11

KEY RUN Leading 66-59 early in the second half, the Raptors went on a 16-6 run to extend their lead to 17 points with 7:59 left in the third … Toronto led but double digits the rest of the way.

KEY STAT The Raptors scored a season-high 133 points … Toronto shot .584 (52-for-89) from the field and 50 per cent (16-for-32) from three-point range … The Raptors shot .632 (24-for-38) from the floor in the second half. RAPTORS NOTES: • With the win, Toronto improves to 18-8 this season and 11-3 at home … The Raptors have won two in a row (Dec. 14-16) and are now 4-4 in the month of December … Six of Toronto’s eight games this month have been against teams currently with a +.500 record. • The Raptors have won four of their last five meetings vs. Cleveland, including four in a row at home.

• Toronto outscored the Cavaliers 29-4 on the fast-break … The Raptors entered the night ranked second in the NBA averaging 19.1 fast-break points – behind only Milwaukee (19.2).

• The Raptors committed a season-low seven turnovers, including just two in the first half. • Toronto’s bench combined for 34 points and shot .632 (12-for-19) from the floor.

Pascal Siakam scored a game-high 33 points (13-24 FG, 5-8 3PT, 2-2 FT) in 36 minutes – his five threes tied a career high … Siakam posted his second consecutive 30-point performance (Dec. 14-16) and 10th of the season … The Raptors improved to 9-1 when Siakam scores 30 or more.

Norman Powell finished with 26 points, six rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes … Powell scored 20+ points for the third straight game (Dec. 11-16); he’s averaging 24.3 points during this stretch.

Kyle Lowry recorded his second double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 assists in 37 minutes … Lowry tied Antonio Davis (110) for third on the Raptors’ all-time double-doubles list.

• The Raptors had five players score double figures – Siakam (33), Powell (26), Lowry (20), Serge Ibaka (14) and OG Anunoby (12) … Ibaka has led the bench in scoring a team-high 12 times.

CAVALIERS NOTES: • With the loss, Cleveland falls to 6-21 on the season and 3-11 on the road … The Cavaliers have dropped 10 of their last 11 games (Nov. 25 – Dec. 16) and finish their three-game road trip (Dec. 12-16) with a 1-2 record … Cleveland returns home to host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.

Collin Sexton led Cleveland with 25 points … He added five rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes … Sexton has scored 20+ points in seven games, including two of the last three contests.

• The Cavaliers had five players score in double digits – Sexton (25), Darius Garland (20), Tristan Thompson (18) and Cedi Osman (12).

Celtics Using Break In Schedule To Help Recharge After Rough Patch — NESN.com

It’s been a rough go for the Celtics of late. Boston lost back-to-back games for the first time this season earlier this week, dropping games to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday and the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. So some much-needed rest was in order ahead of this Wednesday’s contest against the Mavericks in Dallas, and…

Celtics Using Break In Schedule To Help Recharge After Rough Patch — NESN.com

CAVALIERS AT RAPTORS PREGAME NOTES: Saturday’s victory over Brooklyn was the 10th time this season the Raptors have held their opponent to under 40 per cent shooting from the field, posting an 8-2 record in those contests. Toronto currently ranks second in the NBA in opponent field goal percentage (.415), trailing only Milwaukee (.412).

INJURY REPORTS AT 8:30 P.M. SUNDAY

07:30 (ET) CLE@TOR

Cleveland Cavaliers Cook, Tyler Out G League – Two-Way – Wade, Dean Out G League – Two-Way – Windler, Dylan Out Injury/Illness – Left Lower Leg; Stress Reaction.

Toronto Raptors Brissett, Oshae Out G League – Two-Way – Hernandez, Dewan Out G League – On Assignment – Johnson, Stanley Out Injury/Illness – Left Groin; Stress reaction – Ponds, Shamorie Out G League – Two-Way – Thomas, Matt Out Injury/Illness – Left Finger; Middle; fracture – distal phalanx – VanVleet, Fred Doubtful Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Contusion

RAPTORS NOTES

• The Toronto Raptors conclude their three-game homestand (Dec. 11-16) Monday night when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto won the season-series against the Cavaliers in 201819, taking three of the four games. It was the Raptors first season-series win vs. Cleveland since 2015-2016. Toronto has won three in a row against the Cavaliers at home. Kyle Lowry averaged 20.5 points and 7.0 assists in two games vs. Cleveland last year. • The Raptors converted nine of their 14 three-point attempts in the first quarter of Saturday night’s tilt against the Nets – one short of the franchise record for a quarter set Jan. 19, 2019 vs. Memphis. Toronto finished the game shooting 35 per cent (14-for-40) from beyond the arc. The Raptors made 15 3-pointers the previous two games combined. Toronto’s starters made all 14 three-pointers vs. Brooklyn.

Norman Powell scored 25 points Saturday night vs. Brooklyn – his second consecutive 20-point effort and sixth of the season. He had four 20-point performances in 60 games last season. Through seven games (four starts) in December, Powell is averaging 17.7 points, while shooting .536 (45-for-84) from the field and .405 (15-for-37) from three-point distance.

• Marc Gasol set season highs with 17 points and 15 rebounds Dec. 14 vs. Brooklyn – his third double-double of the season. Gasol’s 15 rebounds were his most since joining the Raptors via trade from Memphis on Feb. 7, 2019. Serge Ibaka finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds off the bench against the Nets – his second double-double in the last three games. Saturday night marked the first time Gasol and Ibaka both recorded a double-double in the same game as teammates.

• The Raptors have tallied 10 or more steals in five-of-seven games this month, after recording 10 or more steals three times in 13 games in November. Toronto leads the NBA averaging 10.6 steals in December. Norman Powell and OG Anunoby pace the Raptors totaling 13 and 12 steals, respectively, this month.

• Saturday’s victory over Brooklyn was the 10th time this season the Raptors have held their opponent to under 40 per cent shooting from the field, posting an 8-2 record in those contests. Toronto currently ranks second in the NBA in opponent field goal percentage (.415), trailing only Milwaukee (.412).

Pascal Siakam is one of five players in the NBA averaging 24.0+ points, 8.0+ rebounds and 3.0+ assists this season, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic and Karl-Anthony Towns. No Raptor has ever averaged 24.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists throughout an entire season. • Toronto scored 29 of their 110 points off of turnovers Saturday against Brooklyn and currently sit second in the NBA averaging 20.4 points off of turnovers. Chicago currently leads the league averaging 21.4 points. Pascal Siakam ranks sixth in the NBA averaging 4.4 points off of turnovers this season. • December is Toronto’s busiest month of the season with 16 games and includes three back-to-back sets. The Raptors’ 11 games at Scotiabank Arena tie the franchise record for most home games in a calendar month – Toronto also played 11 games at home in March 2016. For the first time the Raptors will play at home Christmas Day when they host the Boston Celtics.


PROBABLE STARTERS

F – OG ANUNOBY #3

MIN: 29.7 REB: 5.5 AST: 1.7 STL: 1.29 TO: 1.2 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 11.3

• Finished with five points, one rebound and one assist in 21 minutes Dec. 14 vs. Brooklyn. • Toronto is 11-2 when Anunoby scores 10 or more points (Last: 13 – Dec. 11 vs. LA Clippers). • Scored in double figures in three games (Dec. 8-11); averaged 14.0 points during that span.

F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43

MIN: 29.7 REB: 5.5 AST: 1.7 STL: 1.29 TO: 1.2 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 11.3

• Recorded his ninth double-double with a game-high 30 points and 10 rebounds Dec. 14 vs. Brooklyn. • Ranks 15th in the NBA in scoring (24.5) and third in minutes per game (36.8). • Has scored 30+ points nine times; had five 30-point performances in 80 games played last season.

C – MARC GASOL #33

MIN: 29.1 REB: 6.9 AST: 3.6 STL: 0.8 TO: 1.3 BLK: 1.2 PTS: 6.8

• Posted his third double-double with season highs of 17 points and 15 rebounds Dec. 14 vs. Brooklyn. • Has collected 10+ rebounds five times this season, including each of the last two games (Dec. 11-14). • Reached 12,000 career points in the NBA Nov. 16 at Dallas.

G – NORMAN POWELL #24

MIN: 28.4 REB: 3.8 AST: 1.5 STL: 1.0 TO: 1.6 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 14.1

• Contributed 25 points, four rebounds and two blocks in 33 minutes Dec. 14 vs. Brooklyn. • Averaging 17.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 31.2 minutes in 14 games as a starter. • Ranks second on the team in scoring (17.7 points) in December; shooting .536 (45-84) from the field.

G – KYLE LOWRY #7

MIN: 37.3 REB: 4.7 AST: 6.8 STL: 1.3 TO: 3.0 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 18.9

• Collected 17 points, six assists and three steals in 39 minutes of action Dec. 14 vs. Brooklyn. • Needs one double-double to tie Antonio Davis (110) for third on the Raptors’ all-time list (see page 3 for top-five). • Averaging 15.2 points and 7.2 assists in six games (Dec. 3-14) since returning from a left thumb injury.



INJURY REPORT Stanley Johnson (Left groin; stress reaction) – Out Matt Thomas (Left middle finger; distal phalanx fracture) – Out Fred VanVleet (right knee contusion) – TBD
Follow @Raptors_PR for practice information, injury updates and other team news.

CAVS QUICK FACTS • The Cleveland Cavaliers will complete their three-game road trip tonight when they square off against the Toronto Raptors. This is the first meeting between the two teams this season. The Cavaliers will visit Toronto again on New Year’s Eve (December 31) and wrap up their regular season series at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse next month (January 30).
• The last time Cleveland and Toronto faced off (3/11/19), the Cavs picked up a 126-101 win at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. In the victory, Cleveland dished out 27 assists on 44 made field goals and outscored the Raptors by 21 points (67-46) in the second half. The Wine & Gold also connected on 18 three-pointers (18-41, .439), shot a then 2018-19 season-high .952 (20-21) from the free throw line and had six players score in double figures (COLLIN SEXTON – 28, CEDI OSMAN – 19, ANTE ZIZIC – 17, KEVIN LOVE – 16, JORDAN CLARKSON – 14, BRANDON KNIGHT – 12). Defensively, Cleveland forced 20 turnovers, scoring 17 points off of Toronto’s miscues.
UPCOMING MILESTONES: JORDAN CLARKSON (5,992 PTS) is 8 points away from 6,000 for his career. TRISTAN THOMPSON (1,991 OREB) needs 9 offensive rebounds to join Zydrunas Ilgauskas (2,336 OREB) as the only players in Cavaliers history to accumulate 2,000+ offensive rebounds. COLLIN SEXTON (693 FGM) is 7 field goals shy of 700 for his career.
• At Milwaukee on Saturday, the Cavs dished out 27 assists and knocked down 15-of-35 (.429) shots from beyond the arc. Over the last three games, Cleveland is averaging 111.7 points, 14.3 three-pointers made (43-112, .384 3FG%) and 26.0 assists.
• In December (seven games), KEVIN PORTER JR. is shooting .500 (31-62) from the field, including .464 (13-28) from three, while averaging 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.43 steals in 23.1 minutes per game. He led the Cavs in scoring on Saturday night in Milwaukee (15 PTS).
• KEVIN LOVE enters tonight’s contest with three straight double-doubles, averaging 19.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and a .429 clip from three-point range in 32.0 minutes per game over that stretch. On the season, he has 11 double-doubles which is tied for the 18th-most in the NBA. TRISTAN THOMPSON is a few spots ahead of him with 13 double-doubles (t-12th in NBA). Love also recorded a double-double in his most recent appearance against Toronto (16 PTS and 18 REB in March 11th victory).
• TRISTAN THOMPSON had a near double-double against the Bucks on Saturday (12 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK). He also pulled down seven offensive rebounds, increasing his average to a career-best 4.1 offensive rebounds per game (3rd-most in NBA).
• JORDAN CLARKSON is shooting .509 (29-57) from the field over the last four games, while averaging 18.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 25.8 minutes per contest over that stretch. He tallied his 21st double-digit scoring outing of the season on Saturday (13 PTS) and trails only Montrezl Harrell (24) for the most 10+ point performances off the bench in the NBA this season.
• COLLIN SEXTON, who posted a game-high 28 points (10-18 FG, 4-7 3FG, 4-4 FT), four rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes the last time the Cavs played the Raptors (March 11), has scored in double figures in 24 of 26 games this season. He is also averaging a team-best 17.4 points per night.
• DARIUS GARLAND dished out five assists for the second game in a row, while adding 10 points and four rebounds in 30 minutes at Milwaukee.

LAST GAME’S STARTERS

POS NO. PLAYER HT. WT. G GS PPG RPG APG FG% MPG

F 16 CEDI OSMAN 6-7 230 19-20: 26 26 9.2 3.3 2.2 .411 28.9

F 0 KEVIN LOVE 6-8 247 19-20: 22 22 16.2 10.8 2.6 .438 30.5

C 13 TRISTAN THOMPSON 6-9 254 19-20: 25 25 13.1 9.8 2.3 .515 30.9

G 2 COLLIN SEXTON 6-1 192 19-20: 26 26 17.4 3.0 2.3 .438 30.4

G 10 DARIUS GARLAND 6-1 192 19-20: 26 26 10.7 1.9 2.9 .379 27.9