The New York Knicks fired embattled head coach David Fizdale, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Friday. Wojnarowski reported that assistant coach Keith Smart was fired as well, according to a league source. Fizdale labeled the Knicks’ performance as “sickening” in Thursday’s 129-92 setback to the Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden. The loss was the […]
Report: Knicks fire coach Fizdale — National Post
Marcus Smart is ready to put his body on the line again. The Boston Celtics listed the guard as questionable Thursday on their injury report, leaving plenty of doubt over whether he’d miss a second consecutive game. Smart is recovering from an oblique injury he suffered last Sunday during Boston’s win over the New York…
Marcus Smart Injury: Here’s Guard’s Status For Nugget Vs. Celtics Game — NESN.com
MAPLE LEAFS FORWARD ANDREAS JOHNSSON INJURY UPDATE
The Maple Leafs announced today that forward Andreas Johnsson underwent a CT scan yesterday after sustaining a leg injury in Wednesday night’s game against Colorado. Johnsson will be placed on long term injury reserve and will be reassessed after the Christmas break by the Maple Leafs medical staff.
The following players have been recalled from the Toronto Marlies (AHL): forwards Nic Petan, Pontus Aberg and defenceman Martin Marincin.
Johnsson, 25, has registered 16 points (6 goals, 10 assists) in 30 games with the Maple Leafs this season. In 2018-19, the Galve, Sweden native recorded 43 points (20 goals, 23 assists) in 73 regular season games and four points (1 goal, 3 assists) in seven playoff games.
The Maple Leafs return to action tomorrow on the road against the St. Louis Blues at 7:00 p.m.
INJURY REPORTS AT 1:30 P.M. THURSDAY
Houston Rockets Frazier, Michael Out G League – Two-Way – Gordon, Eric Out Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Arthroscopy – Green, Gerald Out Injury/Illness – Left Cuneiform; Fracture – Hilario, Nene Out Injury/Illness – Left Adductor; Strain – House Jr., Danuel Questionable Injury/Illness – Illness; Illness – Toronto Raptors Johnson, Stanley Out Injury/Illness – Left Groin; Stress reaction – McCaw, Patrick Out Injury/Illness – Left Knee; Surgery – Thomas, Matt Out Injury/Illness – Left Finger; Middle; fracture – distal phalanx –
GAME #21 – TORONTO RAPTORS (15-5) vs. HOUSTON ROCKETS (13-7) THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2019 – 7:30 P.M. (ET) – SCOTIABANK ARENA TV: TSN – RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
RAPTORS NOTES
• The Toronto Raptors conclude their three-game homestand (Nov. 1-5) Thursday night when they host the Houston Rockets at Scotiabank Arena. The Rockets swept the season series (2-0) with the Raptors in 2018-2019. It was the sixth time in franchise history Toronto was swept by Houston. Pascal Siakam averaged 19.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in the two losses last year.
• Norman Powell recorded a game-high 23 points and a season-high tying eight rebounds as a reserve in Tuesday night’s loss to the Heat. It was his fourth 20-point game of the season and first coming off the bench. Over his last nine games, Powell is averaging 18.4 points (eight game starts).
• The Raptors scored 17 fast break points Tuesday night against Miami. Toronto is averaging 19.6 fast break points this season – most in the NBA. Kyle Lowry is tied with Giannis Antetokounmpo to the lead the league with 6.7 fast break points per game, while Pascal Siakam ranks sixth 4.3 fast break points.
• Fred VanVleet has scored 20 or more points in five of the last seven games (Nov. 20 – Dec. 3). VanVleet is averaging 21.4 points, while shooting .445 (49-110) from the floor and .396 (21-53) from three-point distance during this stretch. VanVleet has reached the 20-point mark nine times this season; something he did seven times in his first three seasons combined (2016-19).
• Toronto’s bench accounted for 40 per cent (44 points) of the team’s scoring Tuesday night against Miami. The Raptors’ reserves are averaging 37.0 points over the last 10 games, compared to 31.9 points in the first 10 games. This season, Toronto’s bench is shooting 49.4 per cent from the field which ranks second— behind only Detroit (50.6 per cent) and fourth in three-point field goal percentage (39.1).
• The Raptors will play 11 of 16 games at home in the month of December after playing eight of 13 on the road in November. December is Toronto’s busiest month of the season and includes three back-to-back sets. The Raptors’ 11 games at Scotiabank Arena tie the franchise record for most home games in a calendar month – Toronto also played 11 games at home in March 2016.
• Toronto ranks second in the NBA in three-point percentage (.393) trailing only Detroit (.399) and fourth in three-pointers made per game (14.3) behind Houston (15.7), New Orleans (14.8) and Dallas (14.8). Toronto has made 287 three pointers this season – fifth-most in the NBA.
• The NBA announced Monday that head coach 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
. • Giants of Africa and Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri will host a youth summit in honour of Nelson Mandela on the anniversary of his passing, Thursday Dec. 5. The youth event marks the sixth consecutive year that Giants of Africa, the not-for-profit founded by Ujiri, will pay homage to the late South African president and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
PROBABLE STARTERS
F – OG ANUNOBY #3
MIN: 29.6 REB: 5.5 AST: 1.7 STL: 1.2 TO: 1.2 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 10.9
• Finished with six points, three rebounds and one block in 21 minutes Dec. 3 vs. Miami. • Ranks ninth in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage (.456); has made three or more threes six times. • Toronto is a perfect 10-0 this season when Anunoby scores 10 or more points (Last: 10 – Dec. 1 vs. Utah).
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 36.9 REB: 8.6 AST: 3.9 STL: 0.9 TO: 2.9 BLK: 078 PTS: 25.1
• Recorded eighth double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds in 39 minutes of play Dec. 3 vs. Miami. • Ranks 11th in the NBA in scoring (25.1) and third in minutes per game (36.9). • Has scored 30+ points eight times; had five 30-point performances in 80 games played last season
. C – MARC GASOL #33
MIN: 28.7 REB: 6.4 AST: 3.4 STL: 0.5 TO: 1.3 BLK: 1.0 PTS: 6.5
• Scored a season-high 14 points Dec. 3 vs. Miami; added three rebounds in 33 minutes. • Reached 12,000 career points in the NBA Nov. 16 at Dallas. • Has collected 10+ rebounds three times this season, including a season-high 12 rebounds Nov. 2 at Milwaukee.
G – KYLE LOWRY #7
MIN: 36.7 REB: 4.4 AST: 7.0 STL: 1.1 TO: 3.1 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 20.7
• Recorded his first double-double of the year with 12 points and a season-high 11 assists Dec. 3 vs. Miami. • Missed 11 games (Nov. 10 – Dec. 1) with a left thumb; distal phalanx fracture. • Needs one double-double to tie Antonio Davis (110) for third on the Raptors’ all-time list (see page 3 for top-five).
G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 37.8 REB: 3.8 AST: 7.4 STL: 2.0 TO: 2.5 BLK: 0.1 PTS: 18.7
• Finished with 19 points, six assists and three steals in a game-high 43 minutes of play Dec. 3 vs. Miami. • Leads the NBA in minutes per game (37.8) and ranks 10th in assists per game (7.4). • Toronto is 8-1 this season when VanVleet scores 20 or more points (Last: 21 – Dec. 1 vs. Utah).
INJURY REPORT Stanley Johnson (Left groin; stress react) – Out Patrick McCaw (Left knee; surgery) – Out Matt Thomas (Left middle finger; distal phalanx fracture) – Out
NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: Houston Rockets Date: Thursday, December 5 Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: TSN Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN
SERIES RECAP VS. HOUSTON
OVERALL HOME ROAD 2018-19
0-2 0-1 0-1
ALL-TIME 20-27 15-8 5-19
STREAKS Lost 2 Lost 1 Lost 1
LAST WIN: March 9, 2018 (108-105)
LAST HOME WIN: March 9, 2018 (108-105)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +21, January 2, 2009
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -30, November 20, 1997
LAST TIME VS. HOUSTON
GAME 65 – MARCH 5, 2019 HOUSTON 107, TORONTO 95
TORONTO — James Harden scored 19 of his 35 points in the final quarter, Gerald Green had 11 of his 18 in the fourth and the Rockets beat the Toronto Raptors 107-95 … Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers each scored 13 points as the Rockets won their sixth straight … Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points and Serge Ibaka had 10 points and 15 rebounds for Toronto … Pascal Siakam had 17 points, and Danny Green 14 as the Raptors had their seven-game home winning streak snapped … Harden, made 12 of 30 shots, including three of nine from long range … The Raptors overcame a 22-point second quarter deficit to reclaim the lead in the third, but couldn’t hold on in the fourth … The Rockets turned it on, connecting on seven of their first eight shot from 3-point range … Houston made 15 of 34 attempts from beyond the arc … The Rockets outscored the Raptors 23-7 on fast break points and turned 13 Toronto turnovers into 26 points … Houston opened the second with a 19-4 run to take a 42-23 lead at 7:28 … Green and Rivers each scored seven in the quarter and Houston led 55-37 at halftime … Toronto roared back as Houston missed 11 of its first 12 attempts to begin the second half … Siakam’s basket at 4:44 of the third put the Raptors up 60-59 … Siakam scored 15 in the quarter as Toronto took a 71-69 lead into the fourth.
1 2 3 4 TOT HOUSTON 23 32 14 38 107
TORONTO 19 18 34 24 95
NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: Philadelphia 76ers Date: Sunday, December 8 Tip-Off: 6 p.m. (ET) Venue: Wells Fargo Center Television: TSN Radio: TSN 1050 Toronto
SERIES RECAP VS. PHILADELPHIA
OVERALL HOME ROAD 2019-20
1-0 1-0 0-0
ALL-TIME 55-38 30-16 25-22
STREAKS Won 2 Won 14 Won 1
LAST WIN: November 25, 2019 (101-96)
LAST ROAD WIN: February 5, 2019 (119-107)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +34, October 21, 2017
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -35, January 7, 2012
LAST TIME VS. PHILADELPHIA
GAME 16 – NOVEMBER 25, 2019
TORONTO 101, PHILADELPHIA 96
TORONTO — Pascal Siakam scored 25 points, Fred VanVleet added 24 and the Raptors held Joel Embiid scoreless for the first time in his career in a 101-96 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night … Embiid shot 0-for-11, missing all four of his shots from 3-point range and going 0for-3 at the free throw line … Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who posted their 14th consecutive home victory over the 76ers … Josh Richardson scored 25 points, Tobias Harris had 18 and Mike Scott 12 for the 76ers, who have not won a regularseason game in Toronto in more than seven years … The 76ers used a 70 run to build a 94-88 lead with 5:16 left to play … Norman Powell and VanVleet hit 3-pointers that cut the gap to two, 96-94, but Toronto missed three straight chances to tie it … Siakam ended Toronto’s drought with a three-point play, giving the Raptors a one-point edge, 97-96, with 1:01 left … VanVleet was fouled and made two shots, giving the Raptors a threepoint cushion … Harris and Ben Simmons missed 3-pointers before Siakam finished it with a thunderous dunk.
1 2 3 4 TOT
PHILADELPHIA 34 15 31 16 96
TORONTO 28 23 30 20 101
HOUSTON ROCKETS
GAME 20 – DECEMBER 3, 2019
REGULAR SEASON GAME #21
AWAY GAME #11 HOUSTON ROCKETS (13-7) vs. TORONTO RAPTORS (15-5) Thursday, December 5, 2019 • Scotiabank Arena• 6:30 p.m. CT AT&T SportsNet • NBA TV • KBME 790 / KTRH 740 • SPANISH: KEYH 850 AM / KNTE 101.7 FM
Record Overall Home Road Overtime Streaks Overall Home Road Overall
13-7 8-2 5-5 0-1 Current Lost 1 Won 2 Lost 3
Eastern 5-3 3-1 2-2 0-0
Longest (Winning) 8 (11/4-11/18) 6 (10/26-11/18) 4 (11/4-11/16)
Western 8-4 5-1 3-3 0-1 Longest (Losing) 3 (11/20-11/24) 1 (2 times) 3 (11/20-12/3)
PROBABLE STARTERS
Forward Danuel House Jr. MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FG% 3PT% FT%
#4 6-6 / 215 29.7 12.4 4.6 1.1 1.29 0.71 0.9 .474 .444 .794
Last Game RESULT MIN FG/FGA 3FG/3FGA FT/FTA OR DR TR A PF ST TO BS +/- PTS 12/3 at SA L133-135 (2ot) DNP – ILLNESS
Notes/Career Highlights Has missed six of the past 10 games due to injury/illness including two straight… averaged 19.5 points on 52.2% shooting over his past two games played… has played 30+ minutes nine times in 14 games played this season after doing so 9 times in 39 GP in 2018-19.
Forward P.J. Tucker MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FG% 3PT% FT%
#17 6-5 / 245 35.5 9.8 6.4 1.5 1.50 0.55 1.0 .534 .458 .833
Last Game RESULT MIN FG/FGA 3FG/3FGA FT/FTA OR DR TR A PF ST TO BS +/- PTS 12/3 at SA L133-135 (2ot) 51:33 4-8 2-5 0-0 2 7 9 2 5 3 1 2 11 10
Notes/Career Highlights Played a career-high 52 minutes at San Antonio on 12/3 and is averaging 38.2 mpg over the past five games… has scored 10+ points in three of the past four games after doing so three times the 13 games prior… shooting 53.4% from the floor (39.3% past 2 seasons).
Center Clint Capela MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FG% 3PT% FT%
#15 6-10 / 240 32.7 15.1 15.1 1.1 0.88 2.00 1.5 .657 — .469
Last Game RESULT MIN FG/FGA 3FG/3FGA FT/FTA OR DR TR A PF ST TO BS +/- PTS 12/3 at SA L133-135 (2ot) 45:25 9-9 0-0 4-6 8 13 21 2 4 1 1 2 16 22
Notes/Career Highlights Has grabbed 19+ rebounds in each of his past eight games played; according to Elias, that’s the longest streak going back to 1969… has grabbed 20+ rebounds seven times in 16 game played this season after doing so seven times in 295 games his first five seasons.
Guard Russell Westbrook MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FG% 3PT% FT% #0 6-3 / 200 34.1 21.9 7.8 7.1 1.50 0.33 4.3 .410 .229 .732
Last Game RESULT MIN FG/FGA 3FG/3FGA FT/FTA OR DR TR A PF ST TO BS +/- PTS 12/3 at SA L133-135 (2ot) 48:25 7-30 1-6 4-4 2 8 10 10 6 2 5 1 -8 19
Notes/Career Highlights Shooting 44.0% from the floor while averaging 18.8 FGA in wins this season compared to 36.7% with 21.0 FGA per game in losses… recorded his fourth triple-double of the season at San Antonio on 12/3… past 11 GP, shooting 79.7% from the line (62.8% first 7 GP).
Guard James Harden MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FG% 3PT% FT%
#13 6-5 / 220 37.4 39.5 6.1 7.8 1.80 0.50 5.2 .433 .344 .876
Last Game RESULT MIN FG/FGA 3FG/3FGA FT/FTA OR DR TR A PF ST TO BS +/- PTS
12/3 at SA L133-135 (2ot) 48:31 11-38 4-20 24-24 3 6 9 6 4 4 4 0 -3 50
Notes/Career Highlights Had 50 points at San Antonio on 12/3 after scoring 60 vs. Atlanta on 11/30, marking 4th time scoring 50+ in consecutive games in his career (2nd-most all-time)… Devin Booker is only other player to have scored 50+ points in consecutive games dating back to 2007-08.
6th Man Austin Rivers MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FG% 3PT% FT%
#25 6-3 / 200 24.7 8.4 2.7 1.4 0.50 0.15 0.7 .421 .325 .714
Last Game RESULT MIN FG/FGA 3FG/3FGA FT/FTA OR DR TR A PF ST TO BS +/- PTS
12/3 at SA L133-135 (2ot) 39:47 6-8 5-6 2-2 1 3 4 1 3 1 3 1 -13 19
Notes/Career Highlights Has 33 points over the past two games, marking his highest two-game total this season… has 7 3FGM on 58.3% shooting over the past two games after having 5 3FGM on 13.9% shooting the eight games prior… over the past 13 games, averaging 28.2 mpg.
INJURY/STATUS REPORT Michael Frazier (G League – Two Way); Eric Gordon (Not With Team – Right Knee Arthroscopy); Gerald Green (Not With Team – Left Cuneiform Fracture); Danuel House Jr. (Missed Past 2 Games – Illness); Nenê (Not With Team – Left Adductor Strain).
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
6/12: Claimed Deyonta Davis off waivers from Atlanta… 7/3: Signed Chris Clemons, William McDowell-White and Shamorie Ponds… 7/16: Traded Chris Paul along with two future first round picks and other draft considerations to Oklahoma City in exchange for Russell Westbrook… 7/17: Re-signed Danuel House Jr. and Austin Rivers… 7/18: Signed Tyson Chandler… 7/22: Re-signed Gerald Green… 7/23: Signed free agent Ben McLemore… 7/25: Signed Anthony Bennett… 7/30: Waived Chris Chiozza and Deyonta Davis… 9/4: Extended Eric Gordon’s contract… 9/6: Re-signed Nenê… 9/23: Signed Jaron Blossomgame… 9/27: Waived McDowell-White… Signed Ryan Anderson and Jaron Blossomgame… 10/10: Waived Bennett… 10/11: Claimed Ray Spalding off waivers… 10/17: Waived Blossomgame and Frazier; signed Matur Maker… 10/19: Waived Maker, Ponds, and Spalding… 10/20: Signed Frazier as a Two-Way player… 10/21: Signed and waived Ronshad Shabazz; converted Clemons to Two-Way contract… 11/18: Waived Anderson.
TONIGHT: Here are some notes about tonight’s game and other matters that just didn’t fit in anywhere else:
• Since winning eight in a row from 11/4-11/18, the Rockets have lost four of their past six games… Houston is 13-7 overall this season… the Rockets were 11-14 at one point last season before going 42-15 over the final 57 games. • Following tonight’s game, the Rockets will play four of six at home from 12/7-12/16… after that , Houston will play five of six on the road from 12/1912/29. • Houston is 8-2 at home this season, including six straight wins from 10/26-11/18… the Rockets went 31-10 at home last season and have won 30+ home games in five of the past six seasons after doing so five times the 22 seasons prior. • The Rockets have lost three straight on the road after winning four in a row prior… Houston is 5-5 on the road this overall season… the Rockets won 13 of its final 19 road games in 2018-19 after starting 9-13 on the road. • Houston has led by double-digits in 17 of the 20 games this season (13-4 mark)… the Rockets were 45-13 when leading by 10+ points in 2018-19. • The Rockets have trailed by double-digits eight times this season (3-5 mark)… Houston was 10-24 in games in which it trailed by 10+ last season… the Rockets never led at Miami on 11/3 or vs. Dallas on 11/24. • The Rockets are 11-3 when leading after three quarters of play this season (42-6 in 2018-19) and 2-4 when tied or trailing (11-23 in 2018-19). • Houston is 3-2 in games decided by five or fewer points this season, including 2-2 by three or fewer… the Rockets were 13-12 in games decided by five or fewer points last season, including 5-7 in games decided by three or fewer. • The Rockets are outscoring opponents by 5.4 points per game this season (fifth in NBA w/+4.7 in 2018-19)… Houston has won five games by 10+ points this season (29 in 2018-19), including four by 20+ (12 in 2018-19). • The Rockets have lost by double-digits three times this season, including 20+ once (29 at Miami on 11/3)… Houston lost 12 games by double-digits last season, including four by 20+ with the worst loss coming by 28 points at Philadelphia on 1/21/19. • Houston has lost four straight games against teams from the Western Conference after winning the its first eight (32-20 in 2018-19)… the Rockets are 5-3 against the East this season, including 1-2 on the road, after going 21-9 in 2018-19 (8-7 on the road). • The Rockets lost in double-overtime at San Antonio on 12/3, marking their first OT game of the season… since winning their first five overtime games under head coach Mike D’Antoni, Houston has gone 2-5 (all coming since the start of 2018-19). • The Rockets are 2-0 in the second game of back-to-backs this season after going 8-4 in 2018-19… Houston has nine back-to-backs remaining this season with the next coming at Orlando on 12/13 and vs. Detroit on 12/14. • Both James Harden and Russell Westbrook are averaging 20+ points this season… the last time Houston had two players average 20+ points in a single season was 2007-08 (Yao Ming: 22.0 ppg; Tracy McGrady: 21.6 ppg).
NBA 2K HARDEN: James Harden had 50 points at San Antonio on 12/3 after scoring 60 vs. Atlanta on 11/30. It is the fourth time he has scored 50+ points in consecutive games in his career. Dating back to 2007-08, Devin Booker is the only other player to have scored 50+ in consecutive games. In NBA history, the only players besides Harden with multiple streaks of scoring 50+ are Elgin Baylor (twice) and Wilt Chamberlain (a lot). Harden has scored 50+ points three times this season. and 21 times in his career (4th most all-time; 3rd is Kobe Bryant with 25 in 561 more games played).
WE CAN ALL SLEEP BETTER NOW: The NBA added stats to the Rockets game vs. Miami on 11/27. James Harden now has an extra field goal attempt and the Heat have an extra block with Houston getting a team rebound. Because of the added missed shot, Houston no longer outshot Miami for the game. In other news, Harden’s dunk at San Antonio on 12/3 that was but wasn’t still isn’t.
THE SWISS WORM: Clint Capela has grabbed at least 19 rebounds in each of his past nine games played. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that is the longest streak by any player going back to 1969. Capela is second in the NBA with 15.1 rpg this season. He increased his rebounding by close to 2 boards a game in each of his first five seasons (+3.4 from Season #1-2, +1.7 from #2-3, +2.7 from #3-4, +1.9 from #4-5) and is averaging +2.4 more this season than he did in 2018-19. Capela has recorded 20+ rebounds seven times in 16 games played this season after doing so seven times in 295 games played over his first five seasons.
ZERO TO SIXTY IN THREE QUARTERS: James Harden scored 60 points vs. Atlanta on 11/30 without playing in the fourth quarter. Here are some notes from that performance: • It marked the fourth 60-point performance of Harden’s career, tying him with Michael Jordan for the third-most in NBA history; only Kobe Bryant (6) and Wilt Chamberlain (32!!!) have more… it was also Harden’s 20th time scoring 50+ points (fourth-most all-time; third is Kobe with 25). • Harden scored all 60 of his points without playing in the fourth quarter… with 5:44 left in the third, Atlanta had 60 points and Harden had 51… according to ESPN Stats & Info, Harden became the third player over the past 25 seasons to have scored 60+ through three quarters of play. • Harden scored his 60 points in 31 minutes of play… that marked the second-fewest minutes played in a 60-point game (Klay Thompson w/29). • Harden scored his 60 points in 24 field goal attempts… that marked the fewest FGA in a 60-point game in NBA history. • Harden had a plus/minus rating +50 in his 31 minutes of play… dating back to 2000-01, he became the seventh player to recorded a plus/minus rating of 50 or better.
YIKES: James Harden has scored 789 points in 748 minutes of play this season and is averaging a league-high 39.5 ppg.. That is the highest total by a player through the first 20 games of a season since Wilt Chamberlain had 1,045 (!!!) in 1962-63. Harden led the NBA in scoring in each of the past two seasons (30.4 ppg in 2017-18; 36.1 ppg in 2018-19). His 36.1 ppg in 2018-19 was the highest scoring average by a player since Michael Jordan’s 37.1 ppg in 1986-87. Harden finished with 2,818 points in 2,867 minutes played last season.
BARNS WERE BURNED: The Rockets defeated the Wizards 159-158 on 10/30. Here are some notes from that defensive struggle: • The Rockets 159 points broke the franchise single-game scoring mark of 156 points set at Denver on 1/10/91. • Houston had 159 points while Washington had 158… it marked the 15th game in NBA history that both teams scored 150+ points and the sixth in a non-overtime game… the last time both teams scored 150+ points in a non-overtime game was San Antonio vs. Denver on 11/7/90. • According to ESPN, the 317 combined points by the Rockets and Wizards was the highest in game decided by a single point in NBA history. • The Rockets and Wizards combined for 317 points… that marked the ninth-highest scoring game in NBA history and the third-highest in a nonovertime game: (Golden State and Denver with 320 points on 11/2/90; Denver and San Antonio with 318 points on 1/11/84). • Houston hit 23 3-pointers while Washington hit 20… it marked the third time in NBA history that both teams hit 20+ 3FGM and just the second time in a non-overtime game. • James Harden scored 38 of his 59 points in the second half, marking the second-highest scoring half by a Rocket in franchise history (Harden w/39 in 2nd half vs. Brooklyn on 1/16/19)… the 59 points broke Harden’s own mark for the most by a Washington opponent in a single game.
CALIFORNIA LOVE: The Rockets have four players who were born in California, including three who went to high schools located south of Los Angeles. Tyson Chandler was born in Hanford near Fresno and attended Dominguez High School in Compton in L.A. county. James Harden was born in Bellflower in L.A. county and attended Artesia High School in Lakewood of that same area. Russell Westbrook was born in Long Beach which is south of L.A. and attended Leuzinger High School in Lawndale in L.A. County. Austin Rivers was born in Santa Monica in L.A. county while his father, Doc, was playing for the Clippers, but went to high school near Orlando.
20K CLUB: Russell Westbrook needs 747 points to reach 20,000 for his career while James Harden is 584 shy of 20,000. Westbrook topped 7,000 assists for his career. LeBron James, Gary Payton, and Oscar Robertson are the only players in NBA history with at least 20,000+ points and 7,000+ assists in their careers. Westbrook is 100 rebounds shy of 6,000 for his career. LeBron and Oscar are the only players with career totals of at least 20,000 points, 7,000 assists, and 6,000 rebounds.
BIG OH: Russell Westbrook recorded his first triple-double as a Rocket, and the 139th of his career, with 28 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds vs. New Orleans on 10/26. That moved him past Magic Johnson for the second-most triple-doubles in NBA history. Westbrook now has 142 career tripledoubles, trailing only Oscar Robertson’s 181. James Harden has the ninth-most triple-doubles (42), needing two to surpass Fat Lever for eighth place.
CREEPING UP: James Harden needs 1,329 points to surpass Calvin Murphy (17,949) for the second-most in franchise history. Harden has scored at least 2,191 points in each of he past five seasons, including 2,300+ four times, and a career-best 2,818 points in 2018-19.
GET OFF THEIR LAWN: Tyson Chandler is in 19th NBA season while Nenê is in his 18th. Nenê turned 37 on 9/13 while Chandler turned 37 on 10/2. The only players currently on NBA rosters who were older heading into the season were Vince Carter (42), Udonis Haslem (39), Pau Gasol (39), and Kyle Korver (38). The only player currently on an NBA roster with more experience than Chandler is Carter (21); Gasol is also in his 19th season. Nenê has the fourth-most experience.
THE BEARD AND BRODIE: On 7/16, the Rockets acquired eight-time All-Star Russell Westbrook from Oklahoma City. James Harden was teammates with Westbrook in Oklahoma City during Harden’s first three NBA seasons from 2009-10 through 2011-12. Their last game together with the Thunder was in the 2012 NBA Finals. Here are some notes from this historic pairing:
• Harden (2017-18) and Westbrook (2016-17) have won two of the past three MVP awards… this marks the fourth time a duo has played together after both players won an MVP award within the previous three seasons: Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant for Golden State (2016-17), Julius Erving and Moses Malone with Philadelphia (1983-84), Bob Cousy and Bill Russell with Boston (1958-59 and 1959-60). • Westbrook and Harden both finished top-10 in MVP voting in each of the past five seasons, with both placing in the top-five in the same season three times over that span. • Harden and Westbrook entered 2019-20 joining LeBron James as the only players to have averaged at least 25.0 points, 8.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds over the past five seasons (2014-15 through 2018-19). • Westbrook and Harden are two of the five players in NBA history to have led the league in scoring and in assists at least once during their careers, joining Tiny Archibald, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson. • Harden and Westbrook won two of the past five scoring titles… this marks the fourth time teammates have played together after both already led the league in scoring multiple times (Paul Arizin and Neil Johnston for the Philadelphia Warriors in 1957-58 and 1958-59 (Johnston’s final two seasons), Arizin and Wilt Chamberlain with the Warriors in 1961-62 (Arizin’s final season), and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bob McAdoo with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1981-82 through 1984-85 (both won all of their scoring titles prior to 1976-77).
SCHEDULE NOTES: Here are some noteworthy items from the Rockets 2019-20 regular season schedule:
• From 11/13-12/16, Houston will play 10 of 17 at home… following that stretch, the Rockets will play eight of 12 on the road, including a Christmas Day game at Golden State. • The Rockets have a season-high four-game homestand from 1/15-1/22… Houston then plays four straight on the road before hosting five of seven at Toyota Center heading into All-Star break. • Post All-Star break, Houston will play 12 of its first 20 games on the road, including a season-long five-game road trip from 3/23-3/31… the Rockets close out the regular season by playing six of their final eight games at home. • Houston has 11 back-to-backs this season, eight of which come prior to All-Star break… the final two back-to-backs occur in April when the Rockets close out the season by playing seven games in 11 days. • The Rockets will face every NBA team at least once at home and once on the road, including Western conference opponents twice both home and away, except for the following: L.A. Lakers (1 home, 2 road), Okla. City (2 home, 1 road), Sacramento (2 home, 1 road), and Utah (1 home, 2 road).
James Harden is one of the most dominant offensive forces the NBA has ever seen, and his isolation style has completely changed how opposing (…)
Fred VanVleet praises James Harden’s isolation ability, calls him an ‘alien’ — The Sports Daily
Ben Simmons will play for Australia at the next Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020. The former Junior from Knox Raiders and Whitefriars College in Melbourne’s leafy Eastern Suburbs was last year’s Rookie of the Year (2018). As is often the case, awards bring greater scrutiny . The scribes are now questioning his ability to […]
Ben Simmons – Melbourne Boy Under Scrutiny — Sports Floors by Nellakir – Latest News
Mike Soroka wins Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Tip O’Neill Award
St. Marys, Ont. – Calgary native Mike Soroka has been named the winner of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s 2019 Tip O’Neill Award.
Canada’s baseball shrine presents this honour annually to the Canadian player judged to have excelled in individual achievement and team contribution while adhering to baseball’s highest ideals.
Soroka, who finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting and sixth in the Cy Young Award voting, is a first-time winner of the award. He staved off strong competition from last year’s winner James Paxton (Ladner, B.C.) to secure the honour.
“Mike Soroka put together one of the best rookie seasons by a Canadian pitcher in major league history,” said Scott Crawford, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s director of operations. “He not only had an outstanding regular season with the Atlanta Braves, but he was also dominant in his first post-season start. He’s definitely a worthy recipient of the award.”
In his first full major league season, Soroka posted a 13-4 record and a 2.68 ERA, while striking out 142 batters in 174-2/3 innings in 29 starts for the Braves. His ERA ranked third in the National League, while his road ERA (1.35) was the best in the circuit and the fifth lowest in major leagues since 1913 (minimum 15 games started).
Among National League rookie hurlers, Soroka had the best ERA, was third in wins and fourth in games started, innings pitched and strikeouts. For his efforts, he was named to the National League All-Star team and a starting pitcher on Baseball America’s MLB All-Rookie team.
The Canuck right-hander was also masterful in his first post-season start, limiting the St. Louis Cardinals to one run on two hits, while striking out seven, in seven innings in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.
Selected in the first round of the 2015 MLB draft, the PBF Redbirds and Junior National Team alum made his big league debut on May 1, 2018. In five starts for the Braves last season, he registered a 2-1 record and a 3.51 ERA.
On top of his strong on-the-field performance in 2019 , Soroka has also been active in charitable and community endeavors. He worked with a number of charities that the Braves Foundation supports, including the Dave Krache Foundation and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. He also worked with CHOA’s epilepsy unit during the season to host a number of children and their parents at a game. Back in his home province, he serves as an ambassador for KidSport Calgary.
“When I had been told I would be the recipient of the 2019 Tip O’Neill Award, it really did put me back in a sense of awe,” said Soroka. “Having had the opportunity to grow up through the Canadian Baseball Program (Junior National Team), I have always felt a sense of pride when there are Canadians excelling in this game. I am always sure to mention to anyone watching other games in the clubhouse when a Canadian is at the plate or on the mound. I am beyond humbled to have the honour of sharing this award with some of the greats of not just Canadian baseball, but Major League Baseball period. This sense of pride has stemmed from others who represented Canadian baseball so well before me, and is something I hope to carry on as well.
“I am extremely thankful to have been considered for the Tip O’Neill, as it will be something I carry with great pride.”
Details about the presentation of the 2019 Tip O’Neill Award will be announced in the coming months.
The Hall’s Tip O’Neill Award is named after Woodstock, Ont., native James “Tip” O’Neill, who was one of Major League Baseball’s first legitimate stars. With the American Association’s St. Louis Browns in 1887, O’Neill set big league records in hits, doubles, slugging percentage and total bases, while compiling a major league record .492 batting average. Walks were counted as hits in 1887, but if O’Neill’s average was calculated by today’s standards, it would be .435, the second-highest in big league history to Hugh Duffy who hit .440 in 1894.
To determine the winner of the Tip O’Neill Award, the Hall takes into account a number of criteria, including each candidate’s on-the-field performance, contributions to their team, community and charitable endeavors and support in fan voting. Starting on November 15, the Hall had encouraged fans to vote for their top three candidates and they responded by casting their votes via e-mail and on the Hall’s website.
Past winners of the James “Tip” O’Neill Award:
1984 – Terry Puhl
1985 – Dave Shipanoff
1986 – Rob Ducey
1987 – Larry Walker
1988 – Kevin Reimer
1989 – Steve Wilson
1990 – Larry Walker
1991 – Daniel Brabant
1992 – Larry Walker
1993 – Rob Butler
1994 – Larry Walker
1995 – Larry Walker
1996 – Jason Dickson
1997 – Larry Walker
1998 – Larry Walker
1999 – Jeff Zimmerman
2000 – Ryan Dempster
2001 – Corey Koskie
2001 – Larry Walker
2002 – Eric Gagné
2002 – Larry Walker
2003 – Eric Gagné
2004 – Jason Bay
2005 – Jason Bay
2006 – Justin Morneau
2007 – Russell Martin
2008 – Justin Morneau
2009 – Jason Bay
2010 – Joey Votto
2011 – Joey Votto
2011 – John Axford
2012 – Joey Votto
2013 – Joey Votto
2014 – Justin Morneau
2015 – Joey Votto
2016 – Joey Votto
2017 – Joey Votto
2018 – James Paxton
2019 – Mike Soroka
← HALL OF FAMER LARRY WALKERSearch for:
Copyright 2019 Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, All Rights Reserved.
TORONTO MARLIES (15-4-2-1 – 33 Points) vs. ROCHESTER AMERICANS (14-3-2-2 – 32 Points)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | FINAL | |
| TORONTO | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 |
| ROCHESTER | 2 | 1 | 1 | – | 4 |
GAME SUMMARY | GAME SHEET | PHOTOS | SCRUMS
SCORING SUMMARY
Toronto: No goals
Goaltender: J. Woll (27/31)
Rochester: Z. Redmond (3) PP (L. Pilut, A. Hammond), P. Aquin (1) (C. Fitzgerald, J. Gilmour), C. Lazar (5) (J. Dea), C. Fitzgerald (2) (B. Vail, C. Lazar)
Goaltender: A. Hammond (20/20)
ON THE SCORESHEET
OF NOTE…
REGULAR SEASON LEADERS
RECORD WHEN…
CURRENT POINT STREAKS
MARLIES UPDATES.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
POSTGAME QUOTES
ASSISTANT COACH A.J. MacLEAN
On whether there was a point in the game Toronto had the game they wanted to:
I don’t really think so. By the time we got the game we wanted to, it was already over. They came out extremely hard. That first period they gave it to us pretty good. It just didn’t seem like we were ready to go. By the time we got our competitiveness up, the game was already half over and that’s way too late to get started then.
On what the difference was between the two teams:
I think it was just competitiveness. I think Rochester came out, they worked really hard, our feet weren’t moving as much as we wanted them to and it really showed in that first period.
On what he saw out of Rochester:
They’re extremely motivated especially when they’re playing us, they bring their game every time. It’s up to us to match and exceed that.
On Mason Marchment’s return to the line with Adam Brooks and Jeremy Bracco:
It’s been awhile since he got himself into a game and he’s had some success with those guys so we wanted to get him with some familiar line mates and get him feeling good. I think as the game wore on, they were like everyone else, they got a bit better and more into it so hoping this weekend, everyone brings everything right from the get go.
NEXT GAME:
December 7 vs San Antonio – 4:00 p.m. ET
December 8 vs San Antonio – 4:00 p.m. ET
December 11 at Utica – 7:00 p.m. ET
December 14 vs Belleville – 4:00 p.m. ET
December 15 vs Rockford – 4:00
COLORADO AVALANCHE (17-8-2 – 36 Points) vs.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (13-13-4 – 30 Points)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | FINAL | |
| COLORADO | 0 | 1 | 2 | – | 3 |
| TORONTO | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 1 |
GAME SUMMARY | EVENT SUMMARY | FACEOFF SUMMARY
ON THE SCORESHEET
SHOTS ON GOAL (5-on-5 in brackets)
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | OT | TOTAL | |
| COLORADO | 10 (10) | 13 (12) | 8 (2) | – | 31 (24) |
| TORONTO | 12 (12) | 11 (11) | 16 (10) | – | 39 (33) |
SHOT ATTEMPTS (5-on-5 in brackets)
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | OT | TOTAL | |
| COLORADO | 17 (17) | 30 (29) | 12 (4) | – | 59 (50) |
| TORONTO | 19 (19) | 18 (18) | 23 (15) | – | 60 (52) |
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
| Record at Home | 7-4-4 (15 Games) |
| All-Time Record vs. Colorado | 32-40-9-3 (84 Games) |
| All-Time Record vs. Colorado at Home: | 18-22-4-1 (45 Games) |
| Record vs. Western Conference | 6-4-0 (10 Games) |
| Record vs. Central Division | 2-3-0 (5 Games) |
| Attendance | 19,351 |
MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS
| Shots | 6 (Tavares) |
| Shot Attempts | 9 (Rielly, Tavares) |
| Faceoff Wins | 11 (Tavares) |
| Faceoff Win Percentage | 100% (Hyman, Mikheyev) |
| Hits | 4 (Kapanen) |
| Blocked Shots | 4 (Barrie) |
| Takeaways | 3 (Marner) |
| TOI | 25:41 (Rielly) |
| Power Play TOI | 1:12 (Marner, Tavares) |
| Shorthanded TOI | 2:42 (Hyman) |
| Shifts | 28 (Marner) |
| 5-on-5 Shot Attempt Percentage | 64.0% (Mikheyev – 16 for, 9 against) |
RECORD WHEN…
| Opponent scores first | 7-11-3 |
| Tied after 1 | 5-4-2 |
| Tied after 2 | 4-5-1 |
| Do not score a power play goal | 5-9-2 |
| Allow 1 power play goal | 4-6-3 |
| Outshoot opponent | 7-3-1 |
| Wednesday | 2-3-0 |
OF NOTE…
UPCOMING GAMES:
2019 Toronto BBWAA Award Winners
The Toronto Chapter of the BBWAA have announced their annual award winners highlighted by the selection of OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who earned both the Neil MacCarl Award as player of the year and the Most Improved Player Award. Also recognized were RHP Ken Giles, who earned the Pitcher of the Year, SS Bo Bichette as the Rookie of the Year, and 1B Justin Smoak as the John Cerutti Award recipient for displaying goodwill, cooperation and character.
Bichette, 21, began his Major League career with an 11-game hitting streak, the longest in team history to start a career and the third longest in MLB history by a player 21 years old or younger. During that stretch, he also became the first player ever to hit a double in nine consecutive games. The shortstop went on to record 15 extra-base hits in his first 15 career games, which were the most by any player in MLB history. Bichette recorded 39 hits in the month of August, the most all-time by a Toronto rookie in any month. He finished the season with 61 hits and 11 home runs in 46 games played, both the most by any Blue Jays batter to begin a career.
Giles, 29, ranked first among American League relievers in strikeout rate (39.9%), third in ERA (1.87) and tied for eighth in saves (23) last season. The 6-3, 210 lb. right-hander led the Majors with a 95.8 save percentage, and finished the season with a 2-3 record, a 1.00 WHIP, 17 walks and 83 strikeouts. His 98.0 save percentage over the last two seasons (49-for-50) is tied with Canadian Eric Gagne (2003-2004) for the highest over any two-year span since saves became official in 1969.
Gurriel Jr., 26, slashed .277/.327/.541 in his 84 games for the Blue Jays in 2019 while reaching the 20-home run mark for the first time in his career. The 6-3, 215 lb. right-handed hitter also spent time with Triple-A Buffalo and twice landed on the injured list. Over the course of the campaign, he led all Major League left fielders with nine assists – doing so in just 63 games – and became the first player in MLB history to lead his team in home runs at the All-Star break (16) after hitting zero homers in the club’s first 50 contests.
Smoak, 32, hit 22 home runs and drove in 61 runs in 121 games last season. The 6-4, 220 lb. switch-hitter drew a team-leading 79 walks, which ranked 8th among American League batters, and was nominated for a Gold Glove Award after posting a .995 fielding percentage. In five seasons with the Blue Jays, Smoak has recorded 117 home runs, 321 RBI, and 304 walks, leading to a .796 OPS and an All-Star appearance in 2017. His 117 homers are the second most by a switch-hitter in team history, trailing only Jose Cruz Jr. (122). Over the course of his 10-year Major League career, the first baseman has combined for 191 home runs and 555 RBI in 1,250 games.
COLORADO AVALANCHE (16-8-2 – 34 Points) vs.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (13-12-4 – 30 Points)
DECEMBER 4, 2019 ▪ 7:00 PM EST
SCOTIABANK ARENA (TORONTO, ON) ▪
TV: SPORTSNET ▪ RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
MAPLE LEAFS HISTORY versus COLORADO
| ALL-TIME RECORD: | 32-39-9-3 (83 Games) |
| ALL-TIME ON THE ROAD: | 18-21-4-1 (44 Games) |
| 2019-20: | 1-0-0 |
| LAST FIVE: | 2-2-1 |
| LAST 10: | 5-3-2 |
MAPLE LEAFS CAREER LEADERS versus COLORADO
| GAMES PLAYED: | Jason Spezza (32), Jake Muzzin (22), John Tavares (17) |
| GOALS: | Jason Spezza (6), Kasperi Kapanen (4), Auston Matthews (4) |
| ASSISTS: | Jason Spezza (11), Jake Muzzin (7), John Tavares (6) |
| POINTS: | Jason Spezza (17), Auston Matthews (9), John Tavares (9), Jake Muzzin (9) |
| PENALTY MINUTES: | Jake Muzzin (12), Martin Marincin (8), Three players tied (6) |
MAPLE LEAFS – AVALANCHE TEAM STATS
| TORONTO | COLORADO | |
| GOALS FOR (Rank): | 93 (t-5th) | 97 (3rd) |
| GOALS AGAINST (Rank): | 96 (t-27th) | 75 (7th) |
| POWER PLAY [%] (Rank): | 16/83 [19.3%] (t-13th) | 20/103 [19.4%] (12th) |
| PENALTY KILL [%] (Rank): | 69/91 [75.8%] (26th) | 69/88 [78.4%] (20th) |
| SHOTS (Rank): | 978 (3rd) | 838 (t-23rd) |
| 5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPTS FOR (Rank): | 1492 (1st) | 1119 (27th) |
| 5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % (Rank): | 53.4% (4th) | 49.3% (19th) |
| FACEOFF % (Rank): | 52.4% (2nd) | 47.7% (28th) |
MAPLE LEAFS – AVALANCHE NOTES
| FIRST MATCHUP BETWEEN CLUBS: | Nov. 18, 1979 at Quebec (Quebec 4, Toronto 2) |
| ALL-TIME RECORD: | 32-39-9-3 (83 Games) |
| ALL-TIME RECORD AT HOME: | 18-21-4-1 (44 Games) |
| ALL-TIME RECORD ON THE ROAD: | 14-18-5-2 (39 Games) |
| LAST WIN VS. OPPONENT AT HOME: | Nov. 17, 2015 (Toronto 5, Colorado 1) |
MAPLE LEAFS MILESTONES vs. AVALANCHE
| Frederik Andersen | First Maple Leaf shutout (Dec. 22, 2016 at COL) |
| Tyson Barrie | Selected by Colorado in the third round (64th overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft. Franchise leader among defencemen in points (307), assists (232) and goals (75). |
| Cody Ceci | 300th NHL game (Nov. 11, 2017 (OTT) vs. COL) |
| Frederik Gauthier | First NHL goal (Dec. 22, 2016 at COL) |
| Kasperi Kapanen | 100th NHL game (Jan. 14, 2019 vs. COL) |
| Alexander Kerfoot | Played 157 games with Colorado (2017-19) |
| Martin Marincin | First NHL game (Dec. 5, 2013 (EDM) vs. COL) First NHL goal (March 25, 2014 (EDM) vs. COL) |
| John Tavares | 100th game as a Maple Leaf (Nov. 23, 2019 at COL) |
MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS
| CATEGORY | LEADER |
| GOALS | 16 (Matthews) |
| ASSISTS | 17 (Rielly) |
| POINTS | 31 (Matthews) |
| POWER PLAY POINTS | 9 (Matthews) |
| SHORTHANDED POINTS | 2 (Kapanen) |
| PIMs | 18 (Kerfoot, Muzzin, Rielly) |
| SHOTS | 107 (Matthews) |
| FACEOFF WIN% | 57.3% (Matthews) |
| 5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % | 60.2% (Petan) |
| BLOCKED SHOTS | 53 (Ceci) |
| TAKEAWAYS | 24 (Marner) |
| HITS | 62 (Muzzin) |
| TOI PER GAME | 24:46 (Rielly) |
| PP TOI PER GAME | 3:14 (Marner) |
| SH TOI PER GAME | 3:16 (Ceci) |
MAPLE LEAFS PLAYER NOTES
| Frederik Andersen | – Is 7-3-3 at home this season with a 2.68 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage. – Has an 4-3-0 record with a .928 save percentage and a 2.30 goals-against average in seven career games against Colorado.- Tied for third in the NHL in wins (13).- Third in the NHL in saves (630) and third in even-strength saves (516). |
| Tyson Barrie | – Seventh among NHL defencemen in shots on goal (78). – Skated in 484 games for the Avalanche from 2011-19 and is the franchise leader among defencemen in points (307), assists (232) andgoals (75). |
| Cody Ceci | – Sixth among NHL skaters in shorthanded time on ice (94:58).- Has started 188 shifts in the defensive zone, which is the fifth-most defensive zone starts among all NHL skaters. |
| Frederik Gauthier | – Has won 57.0 percent (85 won, 64 lost) of his defensive zone faceoffs. |
| Justin Holl | – Has an unblocked shot attempt percentage of 54.9 percent at 5-on-5, which leads all Maple Leafs defencemen. |
| Michael Hutchinson | – Ranks ninth 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 53.9 percent, which ranks ninth among Toronto skaters who have played 10 games. – Averaging 17:40 per game in ice time through nine games since returning from injury, which ranks fifth among Toronto forwards. |
| Kasperi Kapanen | – Has four goals in three career games against the Avalanche. |
| Alex Kerfoot | – Had 85 points (34 goals, 51 assists) over 157 games with Colorado from 2017-19 after signing a two-year entry-level contract on August 23, 2017. |
| Auston Matthews | – Eighth among NHL skaters in goals (16).- Tied for fourth among NHL skaters in even-strength goals (12).- Tied for 13th among NHL skaters in points (16-15-31).- One of 12 NHL skaters with at least 100 shots on goal to this point of the season, ranking fifth overall in the League with 107 shots.- Has nine points (4 goals, 5 assists) in seven career games against the Avalanche. |
| Ilya Mikheyev | – Second among NHL skaters in shorthanded shots on goal (10).- Tied for the lead among NHL rookies in shots on goal (69).- Leads NHL rookies and is tied for second on the Maple Leafs in even-strength points (4-13-17). |
| Jake Muzzin | – Tied for 12th among NHL defencemen in even-strength assists (9).- One of eight NHL defencemen and 21 NHL skaters to have registered at least 55 hits (61) and at least 50 shots on goal (58). |
| William Nylander | – Has notched seven primary assists, which is tied for fourth among Toronto skaters. – Has registered at least one point in 18 of Toronto’s 29 games. – Has four points (3 goals, 1 assist) in four games against Central Division opponents. |
| Morgan Rielly | – Tied for 11th among NHL defencemen in points (3-17-20).- Tied for seventh among NHL defencemen in even-strength points (3-12-15).- Tied for fourth among NHL defencemen in even-strength assists (12).- 11th among NHL skaters in TOI per game (24:46).- Tied for seventh among NHL skaters in shifts per game (28.8).- Has four assists in four games against Central Division teams. |
| Jason Spezza | – Averaging 3.2 points per 60 minutes of ice time this season, which ranks second among Toronto skaters. |
| John Tavares | – Tied for sixth in points in the NHL over the last seven days (4-2-6; 4 GP).- Averaging 20:01 per game in ice time against Central Division opposition.- Leads the Maple Leafs in faceoff wins (202). He is one of 36 NHLers to have won at least 200 faceoffs in 2019-20.- Leads the Maple Leafs in power play faceoffs won (53.2% – 42 won, 37 lost). |
CURRENT POINT STREAKS
| None | |
UPCOMING MILESTONES
| Frederik Andersen | Three wins from 200 career NHL wins. |
| Morgan Rielly | One game from 500 career NHL games. |
RECENT MILESTONES
| John Tavares | 400th NHL assist (November 30 vs Buffalo) |
INJURY REPORT
| Mitch Marner (Ankle) | On injured reserve. |
| Trevor Moore (Shoulder) | On injured reserve. |
| Man Games Lost: 61 |
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
| December 3 | Recalled defenceman Martin Marincin from the Toronto Marlies (AHL). |
| November 29 | Loaned defenceman Martin Marincin to the Toronto Marlies (AHL). |
15-5) MIAMI HEAT, 121 VS. (15-5) TORONTO RAPTORS, 110 (OT) SCOTIABANK ARENA TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2019
TORONTO RAPTORS QUOTES
NICK NURSE (HEAD COACH)
On not stringing together a bunch of defensive stops in a row… First of all, I thought they played with great energy. I thought they were really flying around at both ends, much, much more than we were. So that was kind of the first thing and then I thought they made really great reads. There is a bunch of pieces to that, they hit the right guy and that right guy made a lot of shots as well, or they took it to the basket and made some good finishes on them. They had some stretches there, like (Justise) Winslow I thought had a good stretch that was really keeping them taking over, and like you said, we couldn’t really string up the consecutive stops.
On Kyle Lowry… It was a tricky one for me tonight. We tried to bring him back, and then he is kind of part of the come back there at the end. Then he made some plays and he was trying everything that he could and he made some good plays. Then you get to overtime, you kind of roll with what you have. Obviously that is not a very good shooting night for him or for Fred (VanVleet), and I would think that if those guys are seven-for-34 we are probably in trouble. Too good of shooters for those kind of numbers.
On Bam Adebayo’s defence on Pascal Siakam… Give Bam some credit, he did a good job. I thought he was physical with him, I thought he moved his feet and kept him in front. Pascal couldn’t get around him, couldn’t get over the top of him very well either, and I thought as well as a team defence, there was a few times I looked when Pascal was in the paint and he had four guys on him. He made a couple of good reads – a kick out to Marc (Gasol) here and there – and he made some shots. They sent a lot of attention to him, but it started with Bam.
On the defence on Jimmy Butler… We were trying to kind of get in and out of stuff with Butler and they probably made us get out of it more than we’d hoped because again, Bam on the offensive end. They were firing it to him and he was throwing fastballs out to the shooters and they were making them. It was tough on us, because again, like I said they were making really good reads. We were maybe a half step slow as well, and we didn’t quite get out to the shooters. It is a couple pass scenario, that we have to protect the rim and then be able to get out to the shooters. Again, we just didn’t have the greatest energy I didn’t think, especially in the first half. I thought they were trying pretty hard in the second half and it was just one of those games where it wasn’t quite bouncing our way.
PASCAL SIAKAM (15 points, 12 rebounds)
What was different tonight on the defensive end of the floor? I don’t know. I think a lot of miscommunications and they shot a lot of open threes and they made them. We weren’t as crisp defensively as we usually are. So, move on.
How much of it are new lineups with guys coming back? I don’t know how that that has an effect. I just know we really shot our rotations and things that we did, extra efforts, we didn’t have.
NORMAN POWELL (23 points, eight rebounds) On Miami and what you saw tonight… They are a high energy team, lead by Jimmy Butler. They’ve got a lot of shooters around him, they play fast, and they play hard offensively and defensively. They are able to get out on transition and create a lot of three-point looks for their shooters.
Is there a transition period when guys return from injury? I think so. When guys go out you have guys step up, guys get more minutes and guys get more opportunity. We were able to find a rhythm with the rotations that were going on when Serge (Ibaka) and Kyle (Lowry) were out. Now that they are back, it’s a little readjustment and for them guys to get adjusted and to the way we were playing and just get their fill and rhythm back to the game of basketball. It’s good, it’s early in the season, so hopefully those guys are able to get adjusted quickly and we will be able to get back into that flow that we had early on with all of us.
KYLE LOWRY (12 points, 11 assists)
When did you decide to play? Right before the game. I shot at like 4:30 and felt okay, felt good. We don’t have many practices, we don’t have time to go out there, so why not go test it against a hard-playing team, and it responded pretty well and it was cool.
On 2-18 shooting … That was terrible. That’s rhythm, I missed shots. I mean honestly I didn’t force anything, I don’t think. I think everything I shot came within the offence and honestly a lot of those threes went in and out. Layups, it’s just rhythm and a little bit of timing, I haven’t really done a basketball-type playing since New Orleans, so that takes a game, but I’m sure I’ll be better next game and there is nothing to be concerned or worried about.
On Miami being a physical team to play … Of course, they are a very physical team and they are a very tough team, well coached and the organization is built a certain way and they came out and showed some grit tonight. We still had a chance to win the game and you can’t get mad at that
(15-5) MIAMI HEAT, 121 VS. (15-5) TORONTO RAPTORS, 110 (OT) SCOTIABANK ARENA TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2019
MIAMI HEAT QUOTES
ERIK SPOELSTRA (HEAD COACH)
On how you feel the way your team finished the game … It showed a great deal of mental toughness, obviously, from the guys in there. It reminded me a little bit of that Milwaukee game, we were up, once we got up eight we just have to execute, get some stops and see if we can come out of there in regulation with a win. We weren’t able to do it, you have credit them. They got to the free throw line and jammed us up on a couple of possessions. And then just to put that all behind us and focus on the overtime, and then we really defended during that stretch. Obviously, Jimmy (Butler) was pretty darn good. At that point, he didn’t have a ton of energy he had already played 40 minutes but it was like, all right, I’m just going to make sure we seal this and that this doesn’t get to a second overtime or even worse, a loss.
When Jimmy is so impactful on the game, how much does it make it easier for the other guys? Where it really helps you are games like this, against a really quality opponent on their home court. You face a little bit of stress and adversity, you know you can just get the ball to somebody and you’re going to get something coherent, somebody that likes those moments and he has an ability to draw fouls, score off the dribble, at the rim, pull-ups. So he can manufacture his own shot at the end of the clock against virtually anybody, and he can also set up other guys. He’s very unselfish and that’s what he’s been doing all year for us, he’s basically been our point guard and getting other guys involved, and then when its closing time he just makes whatever play is needed.
JIMMY BUTLER (22 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists) On overtime mindset … Keep playing the way I’ve been playing, shoot the ball, pass it, and defend. I think that was the thing we talked about in the huddle. We were going to win it on the defensive end.
Is this game a milestone one for you? I don’t think so. I think that in this locker room, in this organization, this is one that we’re supposed to win. I think we have an opportunity to win any game – home or away. I’m not going to say this was (more) special than any other one. It was just two good teams going at it. We were fortunate enough to do our job.
On Bam Adebayo … Just him being aggressive. He rebounds the ball well. He gets everybody involved and whenever he’s being aggressive trying to score the ball he’s definitely making everybody’s job easier. Like I’ve said over and over again, he’s the heart and soul of this thing, and now that we got Justise (Winslow) back, he’s right up there with him. They’ve been doing this together for so long. They know what it takes to win, and they damn sure know what it takes to win in a Heat uniform.
JUSTISE WINSLOW (17 points, nine rebounds, four assists)
On tonight’s game … This is a constant mentality, that next man up mentality, for us … we did a great job of staying composed and really fighting, staying in the game early. It was just a gritty win. It wasn’t pretty. Our shots weren’t falling throughout the whole game, but we found a way to win and that’s all you can ask for, especially on the road.
On Jimmy Butler … Just his competitiveness. You can feel it defensively and offensively he’s just such a smart player. He finds the advantage and really just takes advantage of it. He makes others better. I mean, the triple-double tonight speaks for itself, but he was doing even more stuff that you won’t see on the box score. Encouraging guys, talking, and being in gaps defensively, so he was fantastic for us.
KELLY OLYNYK (16 points, six rebounds)
On Jimmy Butler… He’s a special player … there’s nothing Jimmy can’t do. He’s a super-unselfish player, but when the moment is there and the time is there, he steps to the plate and knocks sh-t out of the park.
On the first two wins of this road trip … It’s huge. Anytime you go into a trip, especially on the road, (when) you’re playing playoff basketball…you’re going into somebody else’s house, that’s not easy. They hadn’t lost at home this year and to be able to come in here and get this game gives us a boost of confidence … But you can’t feel good about yourself. We’ve got one more job to do on this road trip and it’s going to be tough going back-to-back in another tough environment, but we’re ready for it.
The view from left field 