SAN JOSE — The growing number of COVID-19 cases around the NHL — and the subsequent postponement of several more games — has caught the attention of the Sharks, who already had a round of positive cases more than six weeks ago. The NHL on Tuesday announced the postponement of Carolina’s game with the Minnesota…
It only makes sense that Stephen Curry almost certainly will break the NBA record for made 3-pointers in league history at Madison Square Garden, The Mecca of Basketball, but it may serve as a brutal reminder for the New York Knick fans in attendance. Curry, after all, was one draft spot away from potentially landing […]
Brooklyn Nets Aldridge, LaMarcus Out Health and Safety Protocols Bembry, DeAndre’ Out Health and Safety Protocols Carter, Jevon Out Health and Safety Protocols Durant, Kevin Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Soreness Harris, Joe Out Injury/Illness – Left Ankle; Surgery Irving, Kyrie Out Ineligible To Play Johnson, James Out Health and Safety Protocols Millsap, Paul Out Health and Safety Protocols Toronto Raptors Achiuwa, Precious Out Health and Safety Protocols Anunoby, OG Out Injury/Illness – Left Hip; Pointer Banton, Dalano Out Injury/Illness – Illness; Non-COVID Birch, Khem Out Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Swelling Dragic, Goran Out Not With Team Johnson, David Out Injury/Illness – Left Calf; Strain
• The Toronto Raptors (13-14) play the second game of a back-to-back set Tuesday night against the Brooklyn Nets (19-8) at Barclays Center. The Raptors won for the fourth time in five games beating Sacramento 124-101 on Monday night. Toronto led wire-to-wire in the win and finished its homestand with a 4-3 record. • The NBA announced Monday that Thursday’s game (Dec. 16) between the Raptors and Chicago Bulls at Scotiabank Arena has been postponed. Ten Bulls players, along with additional staff members, are currently in the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols. Following Tuesday, Toronto’s next game will now be Saturday night when they host the Golden State Warriors. • Chris Boucher matched his season high with 17 points, Yuta Watanabe had 12 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double, and the Raptors used a 70-point first half to beat Sacramento on Monday. Toronto made a season-best 53 field goals and set a season high with 28 assists, including 19 in the first half. The Raptors also set season highs for bench points (51) and points in the paint (68). • Nine different players scored 10 or more points, including all five starters, in Monday’s victory over the Kings. It’s the first time in franchise history the Raptors had nine players score in double figures in the same game. It’s just the second time this has happened in the NBA this season (Last: Dec. 2, 2021 – Memphis vs. Oklahoma City). • Scottie Barnes tallied 16 points, four rebounds and a season-high five blocks in 32 minutes Monday night against the Kings. Barnes currently ranks second among rookies in scoring (15.1) and rebounds (8.2), leads in minutes (35.8) and is third with a .486 (155-319) field goal percentage. • Pascal Siakam has scored 16+ points in 10 of the last 11 games (Nov. 19 – Dec. 13). Siakam is averaging a team highs of 20.7 points and 8.3 rebounds during this stretch. He is shooting .475 (87-183) from the field and .333 (13-39) from beyond the arc over the last 11. contests. • Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. lead the NBA in deflections with 97 apiece this season. VanVleet has led the league in deflections per game each of the past two seasons. Trent Jr. also ranks third in the NBA in steals per game (2.08) and has recorded multiple steals in 16 games. The Raptors lead the NBA in deflections per game (19.3) and rank third in steals (9.1) this season. • Goran Dragic is currently taking time away from the team for a personal matter. There is no definite time-line, and updates will be provided as appropriate. Dragic is averaging 8.0 points in five games this season. PROBABLE STARTERS F – SCOTTIE BARNES #4
MIN: 35.8 REB: 8.2 AST: 3.2 STL: 1.2 TO: 1.9 BLK: 1.0 PTS: 15.1 • Recorded 16 points, four rebounds and a season-high five blocks in 32 minutes Dec. 13 vs. Sacramento. • Has scored in double figures in 10 straight games (Nov. 21 – Dec. 13), averaging 15.4 points during this stretch. • Ranks second among rookies in scoring (15.1) and rebounds (8.2), and leads in minutes (35.8). F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 33.8 REB: 7.7 AST: 3.8 STL: 0.6 TO: 2.2 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 18.8 • Finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists in 30 minutes Dec. 13 vs. Sacramento. • Tied with Precious Achiuwa and Scottie Barnes for the team lead with four double-doubles this season. • Averaging 20.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists through five games in December. . C – CHRIS BOUCHER #25
MIN: 14.9 REB: 4.3 AST: 0.3 STL: 0.4 TO: 0.7 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 7.2 • Matched his season high with 17 points Dec. 13 vs. Sacramento; added five rebounds in 22 minutes. • Has scored in double digits in each of the last four games (Dec. 5-13), averaging 14.0 points during this span. • In three starts this season, averaging 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 23.9 minutes. G – GARY TRENT JR. #33
MIN: 34.5 REB: 3.2 AST: 1.9 STL: 2.1 TO: 0.9 BLK: 0.3 PTS: 16.7 • Contributed 10 points, four assists and three steals in 31 minutes of action Dec. 13 vs. Sacramento. • Ranks third in the NBA in steals per game (2.08); has recorded multiple steals in five of the last six games. • Has scored 20+ points nine times; something he did 15 times in 58 games last season. G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 37.7 REB: 5.0 AST: 6.4 STL: 1.5 TO: 3.1 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 19.4 • Tallied 12 points, five assists and two steals in 26 minutes Dec. 13 vs. Sacramento. • Leads the NBA in minutes per game (37.7), has logged 40+ minutes in six games. • Has scored in double digits in all 26 of his games played this season, including 20+ points 10 times.
INJURY REPORT Precious Achiuwa (Health & Safety Protocols) – Out OG Anunoby (Left Hip; Pointer) – Out Dalano Banton (Illness; Non-COVID) – Out Khem Birch (Right Knee; Swelling) – Out Goran Dragic (NWT) – Out David Johnson (Left Calf; Strain) – Out
2021-22 RECORDS W-L EAST WEST OVERALL 13-14 10-8 3-6 HOME 6-9 5-6 1-3 AWAY 7-5 5-2 2-3 OVERTIME 0-0 0-0 0-0
PROBABLE STARTERS [ F ] K E V I N D U R A N T
7 • TEXAS (15th Season) • 6-10 • 225
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game 29.4 ppg 7.6 rpg 5.6 apg 36.5 mpg • Was acquired via a sign-and-trade with Golden State on 7/7/19 and signed a multi-year contract extension on 8/8/21. • Is an 11-time All-Star (2010-19, 2021), nine-time All-NBA honoree (six First Team, three Second Team), two-time NBA Champion (2017, 2018), two-time Finals MVP, four-time scoring champion (2009-12, 2013-14) and the MVP in 2014. 51 pts, 7 rebs, 9 asts 41 mins 12/12 at DET
[ F ] D E A N D R E ’ B E M B R Y
95 • SAINT JOSEPH’S (6th Season) • 6-5 • 210
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game 5.6 ppg 3.3 rpg 1.1 apg 19.6 mpg • Is in his first season with the Nets after signing as a free agent on 8/8/21. • Has drawn his first starts of the season in the Nets’ last 10 games, averaging 7.3 ppg (.596 FG), 4.7 rpg and 1.1 apg in 24.9 mpg. 4 pts, 4 rebs, 2 asts 17 mins 12/12 at DET
[C ] L A MA R C U S A L D R I D G E
21 • TEXAS (11th Season) • 6-11 • 265
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game 14.0 ppg 5.7 rpg 0.9 apg 23.6 mpg • Is in his second season with Brooklyn after re-signing on 9/3/21. He originally joined the Nets as a free agent on 3/28/21 and appeared in five games for the team last season. • Is one of two active players to record 20,000 points and 8,000 rebounds, joining LeBron James. 15 pts, 5 rebs, 1 ast 25 mins 12/12 at DET
[G ] P A T T Y MI L L S
8 • SAINT MARY’S (13th Season) • 6-0 • 180
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game 12.7 ppg 1.7 rpg 2.4 apg 29.1 mpg • Is in his first season with Brooklyn after signing with the team as a free agent on 8/10/21. • Ranks fourth in NBA history in 3-pointers made off the bench. Since entering the NBA in 2009-10, he’s first in threes made and third in points and minutes played off the bench. 18 pts, 3 rebs, 5 asts 35 mins 12/12 at DET
[G ] J AM E S H A R D E N
13 • ARIZONA STATE (12th Season) • 6-5 • 220
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game 20.8 ppg 7.9 rpg 9.6 apg 36.2 mpg • Acquired from Houston in a four-team trade on 1/14/21. • Is a six-time All-NBA First Team honoree, nine-time NBA All-Star, the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2018, three-time scoring champion (2018-20) and led the league in assists in 2017. INACTIVE – Rest 12/12 at DET
2021-22 BROOKLYN NETS RECORDS RECORD HOME ROAD OVERTIME OVERALL 19-8 8-5 11-3 — DIVISION 4-0 — 4-0 — WESTERN CONF. 4-3 1-2 3-1 — EASTERN CONF. 15-5 7-3 8-2 –
IF THE NETS WIN ➢ It would be Brooklyn’s third straight win, their 10th win in the last 13 games and 18th win in their last 23 games (since 10/29 vs. Indiana). ▪ The Nets begin a five-game homestand tonight (their second-longest homestand of the season and longest remaining homestand). ➢ It would extend the Nets’ win streak vs. Toronto to three games. The last time the Nets won three straight vs. Toronto came from 11/3/12 – 1/15/13. ▪ The Nets have won two straight against the Raptors for the first time since 2/4/15 and 4/3/15. ➢ It would improve Brooklyn’s record vs. Atlantic Division opponents this season to a perfect 5-0. ▪ Since last season, Brooklyn is 12-4 vs. Atlantic Division teams (6-1 at home). The Nets’ only home loss to an Atlantic Division team since the start of last season came on 2/5/21 vs. Toronto when Kevin Durant played just 19 minutes (health and safety protocols). ➢ It would prevent Brooklyn from losing consecutive home games for just the second time in the last two seasons (the Nets lost their last home game on 12/4 vs. Chicago). The Nets have lost consecutive home games just once across the last two seasons: 1/1/21 vs. Atlanta and 1/3/21 vs. Washington. EARLY SEASON LEAGUE LEADERS ➢ PPG: Kevin Durant leads the league in ppg (29.4) despite ranking seventh in FGA/game (20.1). ➢ APG: James Harden is second in the league in apg (9.6), trailing only Chris Paul (10.2). ➢ TRIPL-DBLS: James Harden is tied for third in triple-doubles with Dejounte Murray (four), trailing Russell Westbrook and Nikola Jokic (five). ➢ DBL-DBLS: James Harden is tied for fifth in the league in double-doubles (17). ➢ FTM-FTA: James Harden is fifth in FTM/game (6.5) and fifth in FTA/game (7.4). KD is sixth in FTM/game (6.3) and sixth in FTA/game (7.2). ➢ 3FGM: Patty Mills is tied for fifth in the league in 3-pointers made (82) and is tied for second in the league in catch-and-shoot 3FGM (63-of-139). ➢ 3FG %: Joe Harris is second in the league in 3FG % (.466). Patty Mills is eighth (.443). ➢ FG %: LaMarcus Aldridge is 12th in the league in FG % (.573). ➢ PLUS/MINUS: Patty Mills is 12th in the league in plus/minus (+173).
➢ ROAD: The Nets lead the league in road wins (11). Brooklyn’s 11-3 road record marks the furthest the Nets have been over .500 on the road at any point in franchise history. ▪ The Nets are 31-19 (.620) on the road since the start of last season. Only Phoenix (33-14, .702) and Utah (31-18, .633) are better in that time. ▪ The only team with a higher win % on the road this season than Brooklyn is Phoenix (9-2, .818). ➢ DISHING: The Nets are 16-2 this season when dishing out 25+ assists in a game. ➢ MIDRANGE: The Nets are shooting a league-best .494 FG % from midrange this season, ranking first in midrange FGM/game (7.7) and second in midrange FGA/game (15.5). Brooklyn finished second in midrange FG % last season (.463), trailing Phoenix (.474). ➢ CLUTCH: The Nets are 10-3 in ‘clutch’ games this season (games within five points in the last five minutes), marking the fourth-best record in the league, trailing only Washington (12-1), Phoenix (11-1) and Memphis (8-2) in such games. ▪ The Nets had the third-best ‘clutch’ record in the league last season (27-13), trailing only Philadelphia (25-9) and Phoenix (25-12). ➢ ON D: Brooklyn is 8-0 this season when holding its opponent under 100 points. The Nets have won a franchise record 25 straight games (last loss: 94-82 on 12/26/19 vs. New York) when holding their opponent under 100 points (11-0 last season). ▪ Brooklyn is also 9-1 when holding its opponent under .400 FG % this season (10-0 in such games last season). ▪ The Nets are also 16-1 this season when holding their opponent to 110 or fewer points (only loss: 106-93 on 10/27 vs. Miami). ➢ ON O: The Nets are 4-0 this season when scoring 120+ points and 7-1 when shooting .500+ FG %. ▪ The Nets have won 24 straight games (dating back to 2/2/21 vs. L.A. Clippers) when scoring 120+ points, which marks the longest active streak in the league. The 24 straight wins when scoring 120+ points is also the longest streak in Nets history. ▪ The Nets are also 13-0 this season when scoring 110+ points in a game. ▪ Brooklyn was 31-3 when scoring 120+ points last season and 25-4 when shooting .500+ FG %. ➢ FTM-FTA-FT%: The Nets are one of two teams in the league to rank in the top-five in FTM/game, FTA/game and FT %, joining Boston. ➢ LOSSES: The Nets are one of two teams this season that have not lost consecutive games, joining Golden State. ▪ This is the deepest the Nets have gone into a season without losing consecutive games in franchise history (previously: the Nets didn’t lose consecutive games in the 2002-03 campaign until the 15th and 16th games of the season
LOS ANGELES — The Clippers had just convincingly taken down the team that not only came into play Monday with the NBA’s best record and having won 20 of its past 21 games — but which also ended their playoff run last season in Western Conference finals. 718 more words
• The Toronto Raptors (12-14) complete a season-long seven-game homestand (Nov. 28 – Dec. 13) Monday night when they host the Sacramento Kings (11-16) at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors are 3-3 on their current homestand. Gary Trent Jr. scored 24 points, Fred VanVleet had 17 points and 11 assists, and the Raptors won for the third time in four games beating New York 90-87 on Friday. Toronto plays the second game of a back-to-back set Tuesday night in Brooklyn. The Raptors have won eight of their last nine meetings against the Kings. • Scottie Barnes tallied 12 points, a season-high 15 rebounds and three assists in a season-high 41 minutes of action in Friday’s victory over the Knicks. Barnes became just the sixth Raptors rookie, and first since Jamario Moon (March 23, 2008 vs. Denver), to post 12/15/3 in a game. Barnes currently ranks second among rookies in scoring (15.1) and rebounds (8.3), leads in minutes (36.0) and is third with a .489 (149-305) field goal percentage. • The Raptors held New York to just 87 points and .358 (29-81) shooting from the field Friday night. Toronto has now held its opponent to fewer than 100 points in four of the last five games (Nov. 30 – Dec. 10). Over the last five contests, opponents are averaging 95.6 points and shooting .397 (165-416) from the floor, including .335 (55-164) from three-point range. The Raptors have already held opponents below the century mark eight times (6-2), something they did in seven games last season. • Gary Trent Jr. has scored 24 points in back-to-back games (Dec. 8-10), leading the Raptors in scoring in both contests. Trent Jr. is shooting .576 (19-33) from the field and 60 percent (9-15) from three-point distance over the last two games. Toronto is 6-3 this season when Trent Jr. scores 20+ points. • The Raptors tied a season-low for the second time in three games with just eight turnovers in Friday’s win over the Knicks. The Raptors rank fourth in the NBA in turnovers per games (12.7). • Fred VanVleet (93) and Gary Trent Jr. (91) currently rank second and third, respectively, in the NBA in total deflections. VanVleet has led the league in deflections per game each of the past two seasons. Trent Jr. is also third in the NBA in steals per game (2.04) and has recorded multiple steals in 15 games. The Raptors lead the NBA in deflections per game (19.3) and rank third in steals (9.1) this season. • Goran Dragic is currently taking time away from the team for a personal matter. There is no definite time-line, and updates will be provided as appropriate. Dragic is averaging 8.0 points in five games this season. PROBABLE STARTERS F – SCOTTIE BARNES #4
MIN: 36.0 REB: 8.3 AST: 3.3 STL: 1.2 TO: 2.0 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 15.1 • Recorded his fourth double-double with 12 points and a season-high 15 rebounds Dec. 10 vs. New York. • Has scored in double figures in nine straight games (Nov. 21 – Dec. 10), averaging 15.3 points during this stretch. • Ranks second among rookies in scoring (15.1) and rebounds (8.3), and leads in minutes (36.0). F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 34.1 REB: 7.7 AST: 3.8 STL: 0.6 TO: 2.3 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 18.9 • Posted second straight double-double with 13 points and a season high-tying 12 rebounds Dec. 10 vs. New York. • Tied with Precious Achiuwa and Scottie Barnes for the team lead with four double-doubles this season. • Averaging 21.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists over the last five games (Nov. 30 – Dec. 10). . C – CHRIS BOUCHER #25
MIN: 14.6 REB: 4.3 AST: 0.3 STL: 0.5 TO: 0.6 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 6.8 • Finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and one block in 28 minutes of action Dec. 10 vs. New York. • Has scored in double digits in each of the last three games (Dec. 5-10), averaging 13.0 points during this span. • In two starts this season, averaging 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 24.7 minutes. G – GARY TRENT JR. #33
MIN: 34.6 REB: 3.3 AST: 1.8 STL: 2.0 TO: 0.9 BLK: 0.3 PTS: 17.0 • Led the team in scoring with 24 points for the second straight game Dec. 10 vs. New York. • Ranks third in the NBA in steals per game (2.04); has recorded multiple steals in four of the last five games. • Has scored 20+ points nine times; something he did 15 times in 58 games last season. G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 38.1 REB: 5.1 AST: 6.4 STL: 1.5 TO: 3.2 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 19.7 • Finished with 17 points and 11 assists for his third double-double Dec. 10 vs. New York; added six rebounds. • Leads the NBA in minutes per game (38.1), has logged 40+ minutes in six games. • Has scored in double digits in all 25 of his games played this season, including 20+ points 10 times. INJURY REPORT Precious Achiuwa (Health & Safety Protocols) – Out OG Anunoby (Left Hip; Pointer) – Out Khem Birch (Right Knee; Swelling) – Out Goran Dragic (NWT) – Out David Johnson (Left Calf; Strain) – Out
2021-22 RECORDS W-L EAST WEST OVERALL 12-14 10-8 2-6 HOME 5-9 5-6 0-3 AWAY 7-5 5-2 2-3 OVERTIME 0-0 0-0 0–0
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (18-8-2 – 38 Points) vs. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (17-5-4 – 38 Points) THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021 1 2 3 FINAL TAMPA BAY 2 2 1 5 TORONTO 2 0 1 3
ON THE SCORESHEET
Ondřej Kaše scored on a Maple Leafs power play opportunity at 1:44 of the first period. Kaše scored his second goal of the game at 9:36 of the third period. Kaše posted his first multi-goal game of the season and is currently on a three-game point streak (3G, 1A).
William Nylander scored on a Toronto power play opportunity at 19:53 of the first period. Nylander recorded his 12th goal of the season.
John Tavares posted the primary assist on Kaše’s first goal of the game. Tavares also registered the secondary assist on Kaše’s second goal of the game. Tavares has recorded 17 assists this season.
Morgan Rielly recorded the secondary assist on Kaše’s first goal of the game. Rielly posted his 20th assist of the season. Rielly has registered nine assists through the last five games.
Auston Matthews registered the primary assist on Nylander’s power play goal. Matthews recorded his 12th assist of the season. Matthews extended his point streak to eight games (10G, 4A).
Jake Muzzin posted the primary assist on Kaše’s second goal of the game. Muzzin recorded his eighth assist of the season. SHOTS ON GOAL (5-on-5 in brackets) 1st 2nd 3rd TOTAL TAMPA BAY 9 (6) 9 (9) 9 (7) 27 (22) TORONTO 12 (10) 15 (15) 11 (7) 38 (32) SHOT ATTEMPTS (5-on-5 in brackets) 1st 2nd 3rd TOTAL TAMPA BAY 16 (13) 17 (17) 15 (10) 48 (40) TORONTO 22 (19) 28 (28) 20 (14) 70 (61) ON HOME ICE
The Maple Leafs are 11-4-1 at home this season.
Toronto’s all-time record is 57-36-2-7 in 102 games against the Tampa Bay Lightning and 30-19-1-3 in 53 games played in Toronto.
Toronto is 10-5-1 against the Eastern Conference this season and 6-2-0 against the Atlantic Division this season. MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS Shots 4 (Muzzin, Kaše, Liljegren, Rielly) Shot Attempts 8 (Kaše) Faceoff Wins 17 (Tavares) Faceoff Win Percentage 100% (Kerfoot, Nylander – 1 won, 0 lost) Hits 7 (Rubīns) Blocked Shots 3 (Holl) Takeaways 2 (Muzzin, Kerfoot, Steeves) TOI 25:10 (Muzzin) Power Play TOI 1:01 (Kaše, Matthews, Rielly, Nylander, Tavares) Shorthanded TOI 3:16 (Muzzin) Shifts 28 (Nylander) 5-on-5 Shot Attempt Percentage 81.25% (Liljegren – 26 for, 6 against) RECORD WHEN…
The Maple Leafs were 2-for-2 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill tonight.
Toronto is 13-2-0 when scoring the first goal of the game.
The Maple Leafs are 6-4-0 when tied after one period and 2-8-0 when trailing after two periods.
Toronto is 12-4-2 when outshooting their opponent.
The Maple Leafs are 2-2-0 in Thursday games. OF NOTE…
Morgan Rielly skated in his 600th career NHL game. Rielly becomes the 21st skater and eighth defenceman to reach the 600-games played mark with the Maple Leafs. Per NHL Stats, only two defensemen had more points than Rielly (62-266—328) through their 600th game with the Maple Leafs franchise (NHL debut or otherwise): Borje Salming (105-400—505) and Tomas Kaberle (61- 288—349). Of note, Ian Turnbull (112-302—414) also had 414 points in 580 career games with Toronto.
For the second consecutive game, Kristiāns Rubīns led the team in hits. He recorded seven hits during tonight’s game and four hits during his debut, Dec. 7 vs. CBJ.
Auston Matthews was on the ice for a team-high 29 Toronto shot attempts-for at 5-on-5.
Timothy Liljegren finished the game with a team-high 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 81.25 percent (26 for, 6 against). UPCOMING GAMES: Dec. 11 Leafs vs. Chicago Scotiabank Arena 7:00 pm ET Dec. 14 Leafs at Edmonton Rogers Place 9:00 pm ET Dec. 16 Leafs at Calgary Scotiabank Saddledome 9:00 pm ET Dec. 18 Leafs at Vancouver Rogers Arena 7:00 pm ET Dec. 19 Leafs at Seattle Climate Pledge Arena 9:00 pm ET Dec. 23 Leafs vs. St. Louis Scotiabank Arena 2:00 pm ET
POSTGAME QUOTES: HEAD COACH SHELDON KEEFE On tonight’s game and turnovers: Sheldon Keefe: “That pretty much sums it up. You can’t make those kind of plays and spot them three goals at 5-on-5. We’ll give them the powerplay goal but the 5-on-5 goals are inexcusable, those are gifts against a team like that. We talked about it before the game starts and then you give that team and goaltender that kind of support and it’s going to be tough to climb out of. I didn’t think we played a terrible game by any means but our guys worked hard, we had our chances but you just can’t give that type of stuff up. So, decision making, execution with the puck was very poor and it cost us.” ONDŘEJ KAŠE On tonight’s game: Ondřej Kaše: “Yeah tough game for us. We made so many turnovers so that’s where I feel we lost the game.” On playing back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions: Ondřej Kaše: “Yeah great team, they’ve won Two Stanley cups last few years so it’s a very good team… but we lost today so we need to make sure we are ready for next game.” JUSTIN HOLL On tonight’s loss and turnovers: Justin Holl: “Yeah I think so, we kept them fast too often and gave them too many rushes for free so it’s something that has been creeping into our game over the last couple of games and it’s something when we’re doing really well when we were on that win streak so we know we’re capable and just going to have to crack that.” On if his pairing with Muzzin: Justin Holl: “Tonight obviously we didn’t love giving up the early goals and everything like that but like I said during that stretch I think we went plus 10 through I don’t know how many games it was but you’ve got to keep a long term approach to it and it’s frustrating to have a game like this but that’s just professional sports.” WILLIAM NYLANDER On tonight’s loss and facing Vasilevskiy: William Nylander: “We weren’t getting in front of their net. I think he was making some pretty easy saves from time-to-time. I think that was probably the difference and we had a few neutral zone turnovers which obviously bit us so I think that was probably the game pretty much.” On his goal tonight: William Nylander: “I just turned around and shot it. I just got lucky, there was nothing or no real thought behind it.” JACK CAMPBELL On tonight’s game: Jack Campbell: “I thought we controlled the game for the most part but I’ve got to make a couple more saves and get a win.” On facing back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions: Jack Campbell: “Yeah they’re obviously a great team and they’ve proved it for so long now but it’s fun to play them but need to make a couple more saves.”
FINAL SCORE: TORONTO RAPTORS 90, NEW YORK KNICKS 87
DATE: DECEMBER 10, 2021 ATTENDANCE: 19,800 (Sellout)
FINAL SCORE
RECORD
HIGH POINTS
HIGH REBOUNDS
HIGH ASSISTS
New York
87
12-14
Barrett/Toppin – 19
Randle – 14
Randle/Burks – 5
Toronto
90
12-14
Trent Jr. – 24
Barnes – 15
VanVleet – 11
KEY RUN
Trailing by one (87-86) with 1:11 remaining in the fourth quarter, Gary Trent Jr. made his season high-tying fifth three-pointer to give the Raptors a two-point lead … Toronto held New York scoreless over the final 1:42 to secure the win as the Knicks missed their last four shot attempts.
KEY STAT
The Raptors defence held the Knicks to an opponent season low .358 (29-for-81) shooting from the field … Toronto is now is 6-2 when holding opponents to fewer than 100 points.
RAPTORS NOTES:
With the win, Toronto improves to 12-14 this season and 5-9 at home … The Raptors have won three of its last four games and are now 3-3 on their current homestand … Toronto completes a season-long seven-game homestand (Nov. 28 – Dec. 13) Monday night against the Sacramento Kings.
The Raptors have won ten straight games at home against the Knicks.
Pascal Siakam finished with 13 points and a season high-tying 12 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double and fourth of the season.
Gary Trent Jr. had a team-high 24 points (9-16 FG, 5-7 3PT) in 39 minutes … Trent Jr. has now led the Raptors in scoring and recorded 20+ point performances in back-to-back games … Over the last two games, he is averaging 24.0 points and shooting .576 (19-for-33) from the field, including .600 (9-for-15) from beyond the arc.
Scottie Barnes tallied 12 points and a season-high 15 rebounds in 41 minutes for his fourth double-double … Barnes has now scored in double figures in nine consecutive games.
Fred VanVleet recorded is third double-double with 17 points, a team-high 11 assists, and six rebounds … VanVleet recorded 10+ assists for the second time this season, after tallying a career-high 17 assists Oct. 25 vs. Chicago … VanVleet has led (or tied) Toronto in assists in three of last four games.
Chris Boucher finished with 14 points (5-11 FG, 1-3 3PT) in 28 minutes … Boucher has now scored in double figures in three consecutive games … He also recorded a season high-tying five offensive rebounds for the second straight game.
KNICKS NOTES:
With the loss, New York falls to 12-14, including 7-6 on the road … The Knicks return home to play the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.
RJ Barrett tallied 19 points and six rebounds in 30 minutes … Barrett has now led (or tied) the Knicks in scoring in all three games on the team’s road trip.
Obi Toppin posted career highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench for his first career double-double … Toppin helped the Knicks bench outscore the Raptors’ reserves 39-10 … New York entered tonight ranked third in NBA bench scoring, averaging 39.8 points per game.
Julius Randle finished with 13 points and a team-high 14 rebounds for his team-leading 12th double-double of the season.
Toronto: B. McMann (4) SH (F. Kràl, M. Abramov) Goaltender: J. Woll (36/41)
Providence: C. Hughes (2) (Z. Senyshyn), O. Steen (7) (N. Wolff, B. Berglund), J. Brazeau (3) PP (J. Studnicka, J. Froden), E. Tralmaks (2) (N. Wolff, J. Koppanen), O. Steen (8) (J. Studnicka) Goaltender:T. Grosenick (28/29)
ON THE SCORESHEET
Bobby McMann put the Marlies on the board at 9:12 of the second period. This was his first career AHL shorthanded goal. McMann has seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) in 13 games this season with the Marlies.
Filip Kràl recorded the primary assist on McMann’s second period goal.
Mikhail Abramov collected the secondary assist on McMann’s second period goal. He has assists (3) in two straight games.
Joseph Woll stopped 36 of 41 shots he faced.
ON THE ROAD
Toronto’s away record is 5-5-0-0 (10 points) this season.
The Marlies have been outscored 32-28. Joey Anderson leads the Marlies in goals (5) and Joseph Duszak leads in assists (9) on the road.
Toronto is 4-5-2 all-time against Providence and 1-3-2 on the road. Toronto’s last win in Providence was on Oct. 14, 2017 (3-2).
OF NOTE
Toronto went 2-for-3 on the penalty kill and 0-for-2 on the power play. Toronto is 4-4-0-1 when not scoring on the power play and 4-4-1-1 when allowing a goal on the penalty kill.
This was Toronto’s fifth shorthanded goal of the season which is tied for first overall in the AHL.
Providence had a 41-29 edge in shots in all situations. Joey Anderson led the Marlies with seven shots on goal. Toronto is 7-5-1-1 when outshot by their opponent.
The Marlies are 2-2-0-0 against Atlantic Division opponents and 0-1-0-0 against the Providence Bruins.
RECORD WHEN Trailing after 1 4-6-0-0 Trailing after 2 1-6-0-0 December 1-3-0-0 Sunday 2-3-1-0
First weekend back for Suomela and I thought as tough as it was to not play a game in seven months to then play three-in-three, he did a really good job getting us some really strong minutes, played really well today. We’ve leaned on a lot of guys to come in and fill in some spot. After the slow start in the first, we found our game, thought we deserved a little bit better outcome in the second and third in terms of finding some goals.
TRANSACTIONS
December 12: Recalled forward Brett Seney from loan by Toronto (NHL). December 12: Recalled defenceman Carl Dahlström from loan by Toronto (NHL). December 12: Returned defenceman Kristiāns Rubīns on loan from Toronto (NHL). December 11: Returned goaltender Joseph Woll on loan from Toronto (NHL). December 9: Forward Kurtis Gabriel recalled from loan by Toronto (NHL). December 9: Defenceman Chad Krys loaned from Toronto (NHL).
UPCOMING GAMES: *All times Eastern Standard Time
December 15 vs. Syracuse – 7:00 p.m. December 18 at Grand Rapids – 7:00 p.m. December 19 at Grand Rapids – 4:00 p.m. December 21 vs. WB/Scranton – 7:00 p.m. December 26 vs. Belleville – 3:00 p.m. (ScotiaBank Arena)
Toronto: J. Duszak (1) (M. Hollowell, M. Abramov), B. Seney (10) (J. Anderson, J. Duszak), C. Douglas (3) (M. Abramov), J. Kopacka (2) (C. Dahlström, J. Duszak) Goaltender: M. Hutchinson (26/31)
Bridgeport: C. Terry (8) (A. Czarnik, A. Andreoff), O. Koivula (4) (G. Hutton, M. Vande Sompel), A. Czarnik (6) PP (C. Terry, M. Vande Sompel), A. Andreoff (5) (C. Adams, C. McCarthy), O. Koivula (5) (A. Durandeau, A. Czarnik) Goaltender:C. Schneider (22/26)
ON THE SCORESHEET
Joseph Duszak opened the scoring at 4:49 of the first period and later added the secondary assists on Seney’s first period goal and Kopacka’s second period goal. This was his first goal of the season. This is his second professional game recording three or more points. Duszak has points (1-3-4) through two consecutive games. He is tied for the overall lead in assists (18).
Brett Seney scored at 9:19 of the first period. He has points (2-1-3) through three consecutive games. Seney has 16 points (10 goals, 6 assists) in 19 games this season.
Curtis Douglas scored at 13:24 of the first period. This was Douglas’ third goal of the season.
Jack Kopacka scored at 13:46 of the second period. He has points (1-1-2) in two straight games. Kopacka has five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in 13 games this season
Mac Hollowell recorded the primary assist on Duszak’s first period goal.
Mikhail Abramov collected the secondary assist on Duszak’s goal and the lone assist on Douglas’ goal, both in the first period. This was his first career multi-assist game. Abramov has six points (1 goal, 5 assists) in 19 games this season.
Joey Anderson picked up the primary assist on Seney’s first period goal. He has points (4-2-6) in four consecutive games.
Carl Dahlström had the primary assist on Kopacka’s second period goal.
Michael Hutchinson stopped 26 of 31 shots he faced.
ON THE ROAD
Toronto’s away record is 5-4-0-0 (10 points) this season.
The Marlies are even with their opponents in goals (27). Joey Anderson leads the Marlies in goals (5) and Joseph Duszak leads in assists (9) on the road.
Toronto is 2-3-3 all-time against Bridgeport and 1-3-1 on the road. Toronto’s last win against Bridgeport was on Mar. 20, 2019 in a 3-2 shootout.
OF NOTE
Toronto went 3-for-4 on the penalty kill and 0-for-3 on the power play. Toronto is 4-3-0-1 when not scoring on the power play and 4-3-1-1 when allowing a goal on the penalty kill.
Bridgeport had a 31-26 edge in shots in all situations. Curtis Douglas led the Marlies with five shots on goal. Toronto is 7-4-1-1 when outshot by their opponent.
The Marlies are 2-1-0-0 against Atlantic Division opponents and 0-1-0-0 against the Bridgeport Islanders.
RECORD WHEN Scoring first 6-1-0-1 Leading after 1 4-1-1-1 Leading after 2 7-1-1-1 December 1-2-0-0 Friday 3-2-0-0
There were definitely swings in momentum. We thought our team came out strong in the first period, really good start. Good response from yesterday’s first period. Second period, some penalty trouble. (Bridgeport) had a good pushback. It was probably at about the five or six minute mark left when we found our game again. I wish we had found it, a first period type game earlier in the second. And then the third period, it was just a wave of back and forth momentum but for the most part, thought we were in this game. The team did a really good job at having responses at the right time. We had a big push at the end. Thought the game could have gone either way.
TRANSACTIONS
December 11: Returned goaltender Joseph Woll on loan from Toronto (NHL). December 9: Forward Kurtis Gabriel recalled from loan by Toronto (NHL). December 9: Defenceman Chad Krys loaned from Toronto (NHL). December 8: Recalled defenceman Brennan Kapcheck from loan to Newfoundland (ECHL). December 8: Recalled defenceman Matteo Pietroniro from loan to Newfoundland (ECHL).
UPCOMING GAMES: *All times Eastern Standard Time
December 12 at Providence – 3:05 p.m. December 15 vs. Syracuse – 7:00 p.m. December 18 at Grand Rapids – 7:00 p.m. December 19 at Grand Rapids – 4:00 p.m. December 21 vs. WB/Scranton – 7:00 p.m.