Kawhi Leonard was welcomed back to Toronto with a special tribute video and his Championship ring. Kawhi Leonard received his NBA Championship hardware on Wednesday night in his first return to Toronto since joining the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason. The Raptors welcomed the NBA Finals MVP in a pregame ceremony, which included a tribute […]
New on SI: Kawhi Leonard Receives Ring and Warm Welcome in Toronto Return — Focus News Agency
(19-7) LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS, 112 VS. (16-8) TORONTO RAPTORS, 92 SCOTIABANK ARENA WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2019
TORONTO RAPTORS QUOTES
NICK NURSE (HEAD COACH)
On the team’s shooting … I thought we came out pretty revved up and executing really well. I thought we were really flying around out there and I thought it looked like it was going to be a hell of a ball game and then we went through a really dry spell offensively and deflated us I think, all the way through the second quarter and into the half. Again we came out and started, I think we were scoring it okay there. Got off to a good start in the third and started getting a few a stops and I thought played some really solid man-to-man defence, got back in the game and then dried up a little bit again at the offensive end. I think we got it down to five and felt like we were in a really good position there to be in the game then they went on a like an 11-0 run or something, maybe 12-0 run to end the quarter and it got a little tough again.
On Kyle Lowry forcing shots… Well, I don’t know, Kyle has seven threes there and I am just trying to think if any of them were really bad ones and I can’t recall if they were forced, not open. I think they were decent shots, he is just in one of those grooves that he is not making some right now. We will get to work on that and look at it. He goes through some shooting woes every now and then for a few games and snaps out of it. He is too good of a shooter to do that.
On being happy that you can finally move on from last year … Well, we keep saying that we are going to move on from it, but then Danny Green will roll into town here pretty soon and we will do it all over again. I think again, we are in a period where were not playing very well here for about a week. It’s strange because, last Monday against Utah we may have played the best half of basketball we have ever seen in this building. So, things can change quickly, it is a fine line between things and we just have to get back to a little bit of who we are, which is very good defensively, ball movement and a good shooting team and we will do that.
On Kawhi Leonard tonight … I think that everybody knew he was going to get a warm reception tonight and deservedly so. I thought we were doing a pretty good job on him. We decided to go straight up in the second half and he shook free a little bit more, but I still thought we, he was eight of 14, not a big deal, 23 points I think you are going to live with as well. We held (Paul) George down pretty well, but Lou Williams I thought was a guy that during the stretch when they pulled away was incredible, especially to end the half and he can do that too. But Kawhi played good, he was efficient tonight, I thought he passed the ball well, he was strong in there, we were hitting him a lot and he was battling through some double teams early in the game and he played well.
PASCAL SIAKAM (24 points, four rebounds)
Where did things go wrong after the first quarter? They got stops and we weren’t making shots. They got stops and they were scoring on the other side. We couldn’t respond for a good period of time. Given the lead, down by – what, 18 at the half? – it’s always tough when you are down that much. We made a run in the second half and got it down to six or something, just couldn’t hold on.
Is the team confident shots will start falling? We hope so. We are going to continue to shoot them and just continue to play our offence and making sure that we make plays for each other and take the shots that are there. We can’t shy away from it because they aren’t going in. Continue to move the ball, play as a team and shoot open shots.
KYLE LOWRY (six points, four rebounds, six assists)
What went wrong after the first quarter? They made shots, played more aggressive than us and we just did not make enough shots offensively.
Are you happy with the looks the team is getting on offence? I think the shots are coming. I think we put ourselves in predicaments where we are getting some good shots, but we have to create better shots, drive, kick, swing a little bit more. Help our defence with our offence making some shots.
Thoughts on pregame ceremony for Kawhi… It was great. It’s well deserved, he helped this franchise do amazing things and he got his ring. I think he was pretty happy with it.
Is it a relief to have this game over with? It was a game we lost, we didn’t play well and it’s over with now. It was a great moment and it’s well deserved and with Danny (Green) coming in, it will be another great moment, but other than that, we are just moving on throughout the season.
(19-7) LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS, 112 VS. (16-8) TORONTO RAPTORS, 92 SCOTIABANK ARENA WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2019
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS QUOTES
DOC RIVERS (HEAD COACH)
What’s the greatest areas of growth you have seen in the team in the last couple of games? The defence tonight was phenomenal, and then our patience. We anticipated the traps and I thought our guys did a great job, like PG (Paul George), Kawhi (Leonard) and Lou (Williams), we talked about it in shootaround, just let them come, move the ball and find the open guy. I thought our passing in the first half probably was the best we’ve had all year. But we did it because of the traps and our guys were patient. A lot of times guys want to force it. Early in the year we would have forced it. When we played them earlier in the year we didn’t handle them very well and tonight I thought our guys were phenomenal. Other than the first quarter, I thought our defence was absolutely wonderful.
On the defence in the second quarter… We kept telling our guys, the way we’re playing offensively we’re going to keep scoring but if they keep scoring it’s going to be a close game. At some point, one of the two teams is going to play defence and it was us in the second quarter. They made a run in the third quarter and Rex (Kalamian) went to what we call a zone. I’m not sure what that defence is yet but it was effective. We just have so many long guys where we can do so much switching, we can be really good defensively.
Could you sense what the moment meant to Kawhi Leonard? It meant a lot. Again, some players just don’t let you in but I can tell you that ovation to him was very heartfelt, there’s no doubt about that. It meant a lot to him. I thought what the Raptors did overall, the video, the players coming out, all of them who played with him, that’s the best that I have seen since I’ve been in the league. That’s a really classy move by the organization and then by the fans as well.
PATRICK PATTERSON (11 points, seven rebounds, two assists)
On the Raptors championship series … I watched every game. Once we exited the playoffs, the Raptors were pretty much the only thing that I watched just because of Pascal (Siakam), Fred (VanVleet), Kyle (Lowry), (and) Serge (Ibaka). You know, guys that I’ve known from playing here and also guys that I’ve known for some time. Just rooting for them (and) cheering for them, so I’ve watched every single game throughout the playoffs.
On how Clippers defence is a key part of the team chasing a championship this year… It feels good to be able to take that as an opportunity to compete for a championship. It’s all about finding identity, finding roles, buying into the system, seeing how superstars with key role players accept their jobs and play those jobs to the best of their ability, and that’s what we have here. We’re still growing. We’re still getting better … There’s still so much room for improvement. There’s still so much we need to get better at, but this game here today, in Toronto, was a step in the right direction.
KAWHI LEONARD (23 points, six assists, five rebounds, two steals)
On the Raptors tribute video and crowd ovation… It was great. It was a great moment. They did a great job putting it together. Having all the players out there that won it with me, standing there and presenting the ring – it was great.
How was that moment with Kyle Lowry before the game? We just laughed at it. I knew he was going to present me the ring before the game. Just a lot of memories ran through our head. We just laughed.
Did you get a chance to take a look at the ring? Yes, I got it after the game. Sat at my locker with it for a little bit. I just admired it and remembered all of the memories and the hard work that went into it.
Does this feel like this chapter is officially over for you now? As far as winning a championship it pretty much comes full circle now. Being able to get the room and see the result of the hard work, it’s more than that. It’s just a journey. For me, as far as playing, for the city, the chapter was closed once I came over to play with the Clippers. Still love the city. Those guys on the team, the players, the coaching staff, still have love for them. I wish them the best.
Has it sunk in how much this city loved you and what you meant to them? Yes, they did a great job last year of embracing me, embracing the team and helping us get to the finals, just cheering us on the whole way, throughout the whole journey. It wasn’t even about tonight. They did a great job last year.
Are you getting any similar feelings with the Clippers in terms of what the potential of this team is? It’s still early. Obviously that’s my goal every year is to compete my heart out and have fun on the court, set that high standard so we can push each other every day. I think we’re still doing it right now. Last year, I didn’t know where we were at. We were playing great, but I never said we were going to win. We always just put that mindset in of having that confidence that we could win, just pushed every day to get better.
What have you seen of Pascal Siakam this year? He is their go-to guy now and with me leaving I knew that it would make him better carrying that load. He did last year in some of the games I was out. He’s able to grow now and become the player he wants to be without me being there. He’s going a great job. He’s more aggressive, shooting the three with more confidence and he’s approaching every game with the same mindset.
On the growth of OG Anunoby? I’m happy for him. He’s out there being aggressive, doing his job, shooting the ball great. It’s about your mindset. Not being scared of the moment. That’s when you’re going to get better in a game. He’s shooting shots at practice that you don’t shoot in a game it’s never going to translate. I see him doing that. He worked on his shot and his form is looking a lot better.
Were you conscious of not letting the emotion of the ceremony carryover into the game? It’s my ninth year. I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs of emotions as far as going through playoffs and having bad and good games. It’s kind of like that, kind of controlling it. Coming out in that first four minutes that was in the game plan they were bringing of putting two on the ball when me and Paul were in position, double teaming my post-ups. When that happens I’m going to take my time and just wait for my open shot to come. That’s what I tried to do.
INJURY REPORTS AT 5:30 TUESDAY
LAC@TOR LA Clippers Coffey, Amir Out G League – Two-Way – Green, JaMychal Doubtful Injury/Illness – Tailbone; Tailbone Contusion – McGruder, Rodney Out Injury/Illness – Right Hamstring; Right Hamstring Strain – Shamet, Landry Out Injury/Illness – Left Ankle; High Left Ankle Sprain – Toronto Raptors Brissett, Oshae Out G League – Two-Way – Hernandez, Dewan Out G League – On Assignment – Johnson, Stanley Out Injury/Illness – Left Groin; Stress reaction – McCaw, Patrick Out Injury/Illness – Left Knee; Surgery – Ponds, Shamorie Out G League – Two-Way – Thomas, Matt Out Injury/Illness – Left Finger; Middle; fracture – distal phalanx – VanVleet, Fred Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Contusion –
GAME #24 – TORONTO RAPTORS (16-7) vs. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (18-17) WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2019 – 7 P.M. (ET) – SCOTIABANK ARENA TV: TSN / ESPN – RADIO: TSN 1050 TORONTO
RAPTOR NOTES
• The Toronto Raptors begin a three-game homestand (Dec. 11-16) Wednesday night when they host the Los Angeles Clippers at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors lost the first meeting against the Clippers this season, 98-88, on Nov. 11 in Los Angeles. Pascal Siakam finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds, and the Raptors held the Clippers to 37 per cent shooting from the field in the loss
. • Former Raptor Kawhi Leonard returns to Toronto for the first time since signing as a free agent with the LA Clippers in the summer. Leonard helped the Raptors win the 2019 NBA Championship. He averaged career highs of 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 34.0 minutes in 60 games (all starts) last season. Leonard was named to the All-NBA Second Team and NBA All-Defensive Second Team. In the postseason, he posted averages of 30.5 points and 9.1 rebounds in 24 contests, and earned his second Finals MVP.
• Toronto is currently 6-3 vs. the Western Conference, including 3-1 at home. The Raptors are the only Eastern Conference team to finish with a +.500 record against the West each of the past five seasons (201419). Since the start of the 2014-15 campaign, Toronto is 97-62 (.610) vs. the West Conference
. • Chicago shot just .393 (35-for-89) from the field, including .261 (12-for-46) from 3-point range, on Monday night. It marked the ninth time this season the Raptors have held their opponent below 40 percent shooting from the floor (7-2); something they did five times during the regular season last year. Toronto currently ranks second in the NBA in opponent field goal percentage (.414), and seventh in both opponent 3-point field goal percentage (.339) and points allowed per game (105.3).
• Kyle Lowry has played 509 games in a Raptors uniform, tied with Chris Bosh for fourth most in franchise history, behind only DeMar DeRozan (675), Morris Peterson (542) and Jose Calderon (525). Lowry is the longest-serving member of the Raptors – currently in his eighth season with the club. He ranks first in franchise history in steals (759) and three-point field goals (1,260), second in assists (3,589) and fourth in points (8,865). His five All-Star Game appearances (2015-19), including two as a starter (2015-16), are tied with Vince Carter and Chris Bosh for the most in team history.
• December is Toronto’s busiest month of the season with 16 games and includes three back-to-back sets. The Raptors’ 11 games at Scotiabank Arena tie the franchise record for most home games in a calendar month – Toronto also played 11 games at home in March 2016.
• Serge Ibaka recorded his first double-double of the season with a bench-high 11 points and a season-high 14 rebounds in 19 minutes Dec. 9 at Chicago. Ibaka has now led the reserves in scoring a team-high 10 times this season despite missing 10 games (Nov. 10-29) with a right ankle sprain. Ibaka has come off the bench in 13 games this season after starting 51 times in 74 appearances in 2018-19
. • Toronto snapped a three-game winless streak (Dec. 3-8) with a 93-92 victory Monday night at Chicago. The Raptors have not lost four straight games since the 2017 NBA playoffs and they have not lost four consecutive regular-season games since January 2017 (five). Toronto, Milwaukee and Philadelphia are the only NBA teams that have not had a four-game losing streak in either of the last two regular seasons.
PROBABLE STARTERS
F – OG ANUNOBY #3
MIN: 29.9 REB: 5.6 AST: 1.8 STL: 1.3 TO: 1.1 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 11.2
• Recorded 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals in 37 minutes Dec. 9 at Chicago. • Toronto is 11-1 when Anunoby scores 10 or more points (last: 10 – Dec. 9 at Chicago). • Has scored in double figures each of the last two games (Dec. 8-9); averaging 14.5 points during this span.
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 36.9 REB: 8.4 AST: 3.6 STL: 0.9 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.7 PTS: 24.5
• Finished with a game-high 22 points and six rebounds in 39 minutes Dec. 9 at Chicago. • Ranks 14th in the NBA in scoring (24.5) and fifth 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: 28.8 REB: 6.3 AST: 3.5 STL: 0.7 TO: 1.3 BLK: 1.2 PTS: 6.3
• Totaled nine points, nine rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and two steals in 29 minutes Dec. 9 at Chicago. • 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 – NORMAN POWELL #24
MIN: 28.0 REB: 3.9 AST: 1.6 STL: 1.1 TO: 1.5 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 13.3
• Finished with 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists in 29 minutes Dec. 9 at Chicago. • Averaging 15.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 30.8 minutes in 12 games as a starter. • Has scored in double figures in 13 of the last 16 games (Nov. 8 – Dec. 9); averaging 15.9 points during this span.
G – KYLE LOWRY #7
MIN: 37.3 REB: 4.8 AST: 6.9 STL: 1.2 TO: 3.2 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 20.
• Recorded 11 points, seven rebounds and a team-high seven assists in 39 minutes Dec. 9 at Chicago. • 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.
INJURY REPORT
Stanley Johnson (Left groin; stress reaction) – Out Patrick McCaw (Left knee; surgery) – Out Matt Thomas (Left middle finger; distal phalanx fracture) – Out Fred VanVleet (right knee contusion) – Questionable
2019-20 RECORDS
W-L
OVERALL EAST WEST
16-7 10-4 6-3
HOME 9-2 6-1 3-1
AWAY 7-5 4-3 3-2
OVERTIME 1-1 0-1 1-0
SERIES RECAP VS. LA CLIPPERS
OVERALL HOME ROAD
2019-20
0-1 0-0 0-1
ALL-TIME
27-20 16-7 11-13
STREAKS Lost 1 Won 1 Lost 1
LAST WIN: February 3, 2019 (121-103)
LAST HOME WIN: February 3, 2019 (121-103)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +25, February 1, 2013
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -32, March 13, 1998
LAST TIME VS. LA CLIPPERS
GAME 10 – NOVEMBER 11, 2019 LA CLIPPERS 98, TORONTO 88
LOS ANGELES — Kawhi Leonard struggled on 2-for-11 shooting and had nine turnovers, but Lou Williams led a big effort from the bench with 21 points and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Toronto Raptors 98-88 … Leonard finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists … The Clippers shot just 37% but dominated the boards 66-38, led by 12 each from Patrick Beverley and JaMychal Green … Los Angeles’ bench outscored Toronto’s reserves 56-35 … Leonard missed his first six field goal attempts and finally scored on a coast-to-coast layup midway through the third quarter to put the Clippers up 62-55 … From there, the Raptors outscored Los Angles 23-11 the rest of the period … Pascal Siakam had seven points and Fred VanVleet added five in the spurt as neither team led by more than two until Matt Thomas’ 3-pointer and basket sent the Raptors into the fourth leading 78-73 … Siakam had 16 points and 10 rebounds, Norman Powell added 15 points and VanVleet had 14 points for the injury-depleted Raptors, who had their three-game winning streak snapped … Toronto was 4 of 24 from the floor in a fourth quarter … The Raptors tied the game for the last time at 82 on Chris Boucher’s 3-pointer … They managed just three field goals the rest of the way.
1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 23 23 32 10 88
LA CLIPPERS 15 36 22 25 98
Position: Guard Height: 6-0 Weight: 195 College: Wichita State Birthday: 2/25/1994 NBA EXP: 3
2019-20 SEASON:
• Sat out Dec. 9 at Chicago due to right knee contusion; sustained the injury early in the second quarter Dec. 8 at Philadelphia.
• Became the first player in Raptors history to make at least one 3-point field goal in each of the team’s first 21 games of a season (Oct. 22 – Dec 8), breaking Danny Green’s franchise record of 20 straight games to begin last season. • Scored 21 points and tied a season high with 11 assists Dec. 1 vs. Utah. • Recorded a career-best seven steals Nov. 29 at Orlando.
• Scored 20+ points in three straight games (Nov. 20-25); averaging 24.3 points. • Finished with 25 points and nine assists Nov. 23 at Atlanta; set career highs in both free throws made and attempted (9-for-9).
• Scored 30 points Nov. 13 at Portland. • Logged a career-high 45 minutes Nov. 11 at LA Clippers.
• Recorded second consecutive double-double (Nov. 8-10) with 23 points, 10 assists and a career high-tying seven rebounds Nov. 10 at LA Lakers.
• Totaled 12 points and matched a season high with 11 assists Nov. 8 at New Orleans. • Recorded 13 points and a season-high 11 assists Oct. 30 vs. Detroit.
• Made first career opening night start Oct. 22 vs. New Orleans; scored a career-best 34 points (12-18 FG, 5-7 3PT, 5-6 FT) in 44 minutes. • DNP once.
LAST FIVE GAMES
Date Opp. MIN FG-A 3FG-A FT-A REB AST ST BS PTS
Dec. 1 UTA 32:27 6-10 5-7 4-4 5 11 1 0 21
Dec. 3 MIA 43:24 5-16 3-9 6-7 1 6 3 0 19
Dec. 5 HOU 38:29 7-13 3-7 3-4 6 5 3 1 20
Dec. 8 @PHI 12:07 0-1 0-1 2-2 1 2 1 0 2
Dec. 9 @CHI DNP – Right knee; contusion.
Position: Forward-Centre Height: 6-10 Weight: 235 Country: Republic of Congo Birthday: 9/18/1989 NBA EXP: 10
2019-20 SEASON:
• Tallied 11 points and a season-best 14 rebounds Dec. 9 at Chicago.
• Missed 10 games (Nov. 10-29) due to a right ankle sprain; sustained the injury late in the first half Nov. 8 at New Orleans.
• Led the bench in scoring the first seven games of the season; averaged 14.9 points and scored in double figures six times during this span.
• Scored a season-high 21 points and grabbed six rebounds Nov. 6 vs. Sacramento.
• Blocked a season-best four shots Nov. 2 at Milwaukee.
• Recorded nine points and a then season-high 10 rebounds Oct. 28 vs. Orlando. • Inactive 10 times.
LAST FIVE GAMES
Date Opp. MIN FG-A 3FG-A FT-A REB AST ST BS PTS
Dec. 1 UTA 20:52 5-14 2-5 1-1 4 3 1 0 13
Dec.3 MIA 22:00 4-8 2-3 3-4 9 0 0 1 13
Dec. 5 HOU 17:22 4-10 0-2 2-2 5 2 0 0 10
Dec. 8 @PHI 27:46 5-15 2-5 0-1 7 3 0 0 12
Dec. 9 @CHI 18:32 3-11 1-1 4-4 14 1 0 0 11
Position: Guard Height: 6-4 Weight: 205 College: Mississippi Birthday: 5/16/1997 NBA EXP: R
2019-20 SEASON:
• Scored in double digits in four-of-five games (Nov. 18-27); averaging 13.4 points.
• Finished with 15 points and a team-high five assists Nov. 27 vs. New York; led the team in assists for the first time.
• Set career highs with 19 points (7-10 FG, 3-5 3PT, 2-2 FT) and eight rebounds in 27 minutes Nov. 20 vs. Orlando.
• Recorded 16 points and a career-best seven assists Nov. 18 vs. Charlotte; scored all 16 points in the fourth quarter.
• Totaled five points (2-6 FG, 1-3 3PT) and five rebounds in 15 minutes in NBA debut Oct. 22 vs. New Orleans.
LAST FIVE GAMES
Date Opp. MIN FG-A 3FG-A FT-A REB AST ST BS PTS
Dec. 1 UTA 23:02 5-7 2-3 1-2 4 3 0 1 13
Dec. 3 MIA 14:47 0-3 0-2 2-2 3 1 0 0 2
Dec. 5 HOU 14:14 2-6 2-5 0-0 3 0 1 1 6
Dec. 8 @PHI 16:57 3-5 0-0 0-0 3 3 1 0 6
Dec. 9 @CHI 12:04 1-2 0-1 0-0 1 0 0 0 2
Position: Forward Height: 6-7 Weight: 217 College: Arizona Birthday: 1/3/1995 NBA EXP: 4
2019-20 SEASON:
• Tied a season high with 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds Nov. 25 vs. Philadelphia.
• Finished with 15 points and eight rebounds Nov. 18 vs. Charlotte.
• Posted first double-double as a Raptor with season highs of 16 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes Nov. 13 at Portland.
• Scored 10 points Nov. 10 at LA Lakers.
• DNP (left groin soreness) Nov. 8 at New Orleans.
• Played four minutes in Raptors debut Oct. 26 at Chicago.
• Inactive for the first two games of the season (Oct. 22-25) with left groin soreness.
• Inactive three times. DNP four times
. LAST FIVE GAMES
Date Opp. MIN FG-A 3FG-A FT-A REB AST ST BS PTS
Dec. 1 UTA 23:30 4-7 0-0 2-2 6 2 1 2 10
Dec. 3 MIA 16:45 3-4 0-0 0-2 3 1 0 0 6
Dec. 5 HOU 11:27 1-6 0-0 0-0 5 0 0 0 2
Dec. 8 @PHI 16:02 4-6 1-2 3-3 2 1 1 1 12
Dec. 9 @CHI 16:58 3-7 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 6
2019-20 TORONTO RAPTORS ROSTER
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT BIRTHDATE PRIOR TO NBA/HOME COUNTRY NBA EXP.
3OG Anunoby F 6-8 232 7/17/1997 Indiana / England 2
25 Chris Boucher F 6-10 200 1/11/1993 Oregon / Canada 2
12 Oshae Brissett* F 6-8 210 6/20/1998 Syracuse / Canada R
0 Terence Davis ll G 6-4 205 5/16/1997 Mississippi / USA R
33 Marc Gasol C 7-1 255 1/29/1985 Akasvayu Girona / Spain 11
20 Dewan Hernandez C 6-11 235 12/9/1996 Miami / USA R
4 Rondae Hollis-Jefferson F 6-7 217 1/3/1995 Arizona / USA 4
9 Serge Ibaka F-C 6-10 235 9/18/1989 Ricoh Manresa (Spain) / Republic of Congo 10
5 Stanley Johnson F 6-7 245 5/29/1996 Arizona / USA 4
7 Kyle Lowry G 6-1 196 3/25/1986 Villanova / USA 13
22 Patrick McCaw G 6-7 185 10/25/1995 UNLV / USA 3
13 Malcolm Miller G-F 6-7 210 3/6/1993 Holy Cross / USA 2
11 Shamorie Ponds* G 6-1 180 6/29/1998 St. John’s / USA R
24 Norman Powell G 6-4 215 5/25/1993 UCLA / USA 4
43 Pascal Siakam F 6-9 230 4/2/1994 New Mexico State / Cameroon 3
21 Matt Thomas G 6-4 190 8/4/1994 Iowa State / USA R
23 Fred VanVleet G 6-0 195 2/25/1994 Wichita State / USA 3
* Two-way player
L.A. Clippers (18-7) at Toronto Raptors (16-7) Regular Season Game 26; Away Game 12 Scotiabank Arena; Toronto, ON Wednesday, December 11, 2019 – 4:00 p.m. (PST) TV: Prime Ticket / ESPN; Radio: AM 570 L.A. Sports
CLIP BOARD • 12/9 at Indiana, Paul George became the first Clipper in franchise history to make 7+ three-pointers and have 7+ rebounds in a game. • 12/3 vs. Portland, the Clippers won their ninth straight home game and improved to an NBA best 13-1 home record. • 12/1 vs. Washington, the Clippers scored 82 first-half points, the most by any team in the NBA this season They finished with 150 points for the second time this season. • 11/27 at Memphis, Lou Williams collected a career-high 13 assists in the contest.
INJURY REPORT
OUT: Landry Shamet (High Ankle Sprain) OUT: Rodney McGruder (Right Hamstring Strain)
L.A. CLIPPERS 2019-20 RECORD BREAKDOWN
OVERALL: EASTERN: WESTERN: DIVISION:
W-L 18-7 7-2 11-5 2-1
HOME 13-1 5-1 8-0 1-0
ROAD 5-6 2-1 3-5 1-1
OT 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0
LAST GAME’S STARTERS
2019-20 Regular Season Stats
MIN PTS REB AST STL BLK FG% 3PT% FT%
23.2 5.7 3.5 1.1 1.0 0.8 .483 .366 .500
LAST GAME: Tallied 8 points (3-8 FG, 0-2 3PT, 2-4 FT), 14 rebounds and 1 block in 34:47 minutes.
PLAYER NOTES • Currently ranks fourth on the Clippers in steals (1.0) and in FG% (48.3). • 12/9 at Indiana, appeared in his 500th NBA game setting a first-half career high with nine rebounds. • 11/13 at Houston, made his first start of the season scoring 9 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist in 24:05 minutes.
2019-20 Regular Season Stats
MIN PTS REB AST STL BLK FG% 3PT% FT%
14.0 5.0 2.7 0.8 0.2 0.1 .387 .411 .667
LAST GAME: Tallied 5 points (1-5 FG, 1-4 3PT, 2-2 FT) and 1 steal in 14:52 minutes.
PLAYER NOTES • Ranks second on the Clippers in 3 PT FG% (.411) and ninth in rebounds (2.7). • 10/24 at Golden State, set a career high with six 3PM. • Appeared in 63 games for Oklahoma City last season, averaged 3.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in 13.7 minutes.
2019-20 Regular Season Stats
MIN PTS REB AST STL BLK FG% 3PT% FT%
16.8 8.4 6.6 0.9 0.2 1.1 .588 .000 .836
LAST GAME: Tallied 13 points (5-7 FG, 3-3 FT), 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block in 20:51 minutes.
PLAYER NOTES • Currently second on the Clippers in blocks (1.1) and ranks tied for third in rebounds (6.6). • 11/7 vs. Portland, became the first Clipper to have 15+ points and 13+ rebounds in under 20 minutes of action. • 10/28 vs. Charlotte, tallied a career-high five blocks in the contest.
2019-20 Regular Season Stats
MIN PTS REB AST STL BLK FG% 3PT% FT%
29.7 23.9 6.4 3.6 1.4 0.4 .446 .419 .912
LAST GAME: Tallied 36 points (10-26 FG, 7-16 3PT, 9-11 FT), 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals in 35:45 minutes.
PLAYER NOTES • 12/9 at IND, became the first Clipper in franchise history to make 7+ three-pointers and have 7+ rebounds in a game. • 12/8 at WAS, 2nd player in NBA history to have 25+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists and 4+ steals in under 26 minutes. • 11/16 vs. ATL, scored the most points in a Clippers home debut and was the 1st Clipper to hit 30+ in his first 2 games.
2019-20 Regular Season Stats
MIN PTS REB AST STL BLK FG% 3PT% FT%
29.9 7.6 6.4 3.3 1.5 0.5 .396 .316 .609
LAST GAME: Tallied 11 points (5-7 FG, 1-2 3PT), 5 assists, 12 rebounds and 3 steals in 39:20 minutes.
PLAYER NOTES • 12/3 vs. Portland, appeared in his 400th career game tallying 11 points with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. • 11/20 vs. Boston, became the third guard in NBA history to have 16+ rebounds, 7+ assists, 3+ steals and 2+ blocks. • 11/6 vs. Milwaukee, scored a season-high 20 points in route to collecting his 3,500th point of his career.
2 KAWHI LEONARD FORWARD • 6-7 • 230 • SAN DIEGO ST. • 9
2019-20
• 12/8 at Washington, Leonard became the first Clipper since Blake Griffin on 4/6/11 at OKC to have 30+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists while shooting at least 65% from the floor. • 11/7 vs Portland, recorded a season-high 13 rebounds.
• 10/31 vs San Antonio, became the first Clipper since Blake Griffin on 11/25/15 vs. Utah to have 38+ points and 12+ rebounds. Recorded a double-double with 7:47 remaining in the third quarter. According to Elias, it is the third fastest double-double in his career. Recorded a season high 38 points and 15 FGM.
• 10/22 vs Lakers, made his Clippers debut recording 30 points and 6 rebounds in 31 minutes. • Missed three game due to Load Management Knee (10/30, 11/6, 11/14). Missed three game due to left knee contusion (11/14-18). Missed two games due to Injury Management: Left Knee Soreness (11/27, 12/9).
2018-19
• In 60 games (all starts), averaged career highs of 26.6 points and 7.3 rebounds, along with 3.3 assists, 1.8 steals in 34.0 minutes
• Tied for sixth in the NBA in scoring, ranked seventh in steals per game and tied for 19th in minutes per game
• Inactive 18 times, was a DNP in three games and DND once
• Sat out 15 games for injury (rest – load management)
• Shot .495 (560-1129) from the floor, .371 (112-302) from three-point distance and a team-high .854 (364-426) at the free throw line • Scored in double digits in all 60 games, 20 or more in 51 contests and 30+ 22 times
• Led the team in scoring in 47 games – the most by a player in first season with Toronto
• Voted by the fans, media and players as a starter for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte – his third career All-Star selection (all starts); totaled 19 points and five rebounds in 19 minutes • Named Eastern Conference player of the Week twice
• Reached 8,000 career points Mar. 14 vs. LA Lakers
• Scored 15 of his game-high 38 points in the fourth quarter Mar.1 vs. Portland; made the game-winning jumper with three seconds remaining
• Recorded 30 points and a career-high eight assists Feb. 11 vs. Brooklyn; converted the go-ahead jumper with 4.4 seconds left
• Scored a team-high 24 points Feb. 5 at Philadelphia; made a career-high 16 free throws and tied a career high with 17 attempts
• Led all Eastern Conference players averaging 30.2 points in January – the highest scoring month of his career; joined Vince Carter (30.7, December 2000) as the only players in team history to average 30.0 points in a calendar month
• Scored 20+ points in a career-long 22 straight games (Nov. 29 – Jan. 27)
• Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Jan. 7-13; averaged team highs of 30.7 points and 8.7 rebounds in three wins
• Scored a career-high 45 points (16-22 FG, 13-17 FT) Jan. 1 vs. Utah; also set career highs in made field goals (16) and free throws attempted (17)
• Sat out two games with a bruised right hip (Dec. 11- 12)
• Posted a double-double in a career-long three straight games (Nov. 23-27)
• Had 31 points and a season-high 15 rebounds, including a career-high 14 defensive rebounds, Nov. 16 at Boston; became the third player in franchise history to record 30+ points and 15+ rebounds in the same game, along with Vince Carter and Chris Bosh
• Missed two games (Nov. 4-5) due to left ankle soreness
• Contributed 24 points and a team high-tying 12 rebounds in 37 minutes in Raptors debut Oct. 17 vs. Cleveland.
• PLAYOFFS: Averaged 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists during 24 playoff games while shooting 29% from the field.
• Won the NBA Championship and captured the Finals MVP honor
• In 24 games he recorded two games with 40+ points, 12 games with 30+ points and eight games with 20+ points.
• Recorded nine double-doubles
DATE OPP. W/L MIN FG FGA 3FG 3FGA FT FTA OR- DR- TOT A ST BS TO PF PTS
9-Dec at IND W Inactive – Injury Management: Left Knee Soreness
8-Dec at WAS W 31:36 12 18 3 6 7 8 0 11 11 5 1 0 4 2 34
6-Dec at MIL L 29:30 5 14 1 2 6 6 1 4 5 4 2 2 5 0 17
3-Dec vs POR W 28:08 3 15 2 5 3 4 1 8 9 5 2 0 1 0 11
1-Dec vs WAS W 26:28 14 21 2 5 4 4 2 4 6 3 1 0 1 3 34
23 LOU WILLIAMS GUARD • 6-1 • 175 • SOUTH GWINNETT HS (GA) • 15
2019-20:
• 11/27 at Memphis, recorded a career-high 13 assists.
• 11/6 vs Milwaukee, recorded a season high in points (34), rebounds (6), assists (11), FGM (9) and 3PM (4).
2018-19:
• 4/15 at Golden State, logged playoff career-highs in points (36) and assists (11) in Game 2. His 29-point second half is a franchise postseason record for any half and his 17 point third quarter tie the Clippers franchise postseason record for points in a quarter. He became the the second player since 1985 to log 30+ points and 10+ assists off the bench in a playoff game
. • 4/13 at Golden State, Montrezl Harrell (26) and Williams (25) became the first pair of reserve teammates on record to each score 25+ points in a postseason game (bench stats first recorded in 1970-71). LA’s reserves tallied 65 points, the ninth-most of any team in a postseason game since 1985.
• 4/7 at Golden State, started in his first game of the season and 20th as a Clipper.
• 3/26 at Minnesota, recorded his 182nd career game with 20+ points off the bench, tying Ricky Pierce for 2nd-most-all-time.
• 3/17 vs Brooklyn, recorded his first career game-winning walkoff buzzer beater.
• 3/11 vs Boston, passed Dell Curry to became the NBA’s all-time leading bench scorer. He finished the night with 34 points and a season-high 14 FGM. He also became the 4th player in 35 years to score 34+ points off the bench in consecutive games and the fourth to score 34+ points in 23 minutes or fewer.
• 3/8 vs Oklahoma City, recorded his second 40+ point game off the bench, moving past Jamal Crawford for No. 2 most bench points on record. He also recorded his 13,000 career point and a season-high four steals. This game is Williams’ 28th career game with 30+ points off the bench passing Ricky Pierce for most on record.
• 2/22 at Memphis, tied Terry Dehere (262) for No. 11 on the Clippers all-time three-pointers made leader board.
• 2/13 vs Phoenix, became the only player in NBA history to record 30 points and 10 assists in fewer than 23 minutes played. He also tied Ricky Pierce for most 30+point games off the bench (27).
• 2/11 at Minnesota, recorded a season-high 45 points and tied his career-high of 16 made free-throws. His 45 points are the most by any • player off the bench since 2009, and mark his NBA record fourth career game with 40+ points off the bench. Only eight reserves have • reached 45 points in a single game over the last 35 seasons.
• 1/25 at Chicago, recorded the first triple double of his career while matching his career-high of 10 rebounds. He is the second player in NBA history (Detlef Schrempf) to record a 30+ point triple double off the bench. At 904 career games, only one player in league history • (Zach Randolph) has notched their first career • triple-double later in their career. • 1/14 vs New Orleans, marked his 900th career game, making him one of only three players since 1985-86 to appear • in over 900 games, but start in fewer than 125 (Steve Kerr, Dell Curry) • 11/8 at Portland, notched his 12,00th career point in the 1st Q.
• 10/30 at Oklahoma City, became the third player since 1970-71 to score over 10,000 career points off the bench • (Dell Curry and Jamal Crawford). • Missed one game (3/28) due to load management. Missed four games (12/11 – 12/17) due to a sore left • hamstring. Left 12/10 at Phoenix early due to injury. Missed two games (1/18-1/20) due to a sore right hamstring.
DATE OPPONENT W/L MIN FG FGA 3FG 3FGA FT FTA OR- DR- TOT A ST BS TO PF PTS
9-Dec at IND W 32:32 2 19 0 5 2 2 0 1 1 6 0 1 1 2 6
8-Dec at WAS W 29:49 7 17 2 5 2 2 0 1 1 6 0 0 1 1 18
6-Dec at MIL L 23:13 5 13 1 4 0 0 0 1 1 3 0 0 5 2 11
3-Dec vs POR W 25:15 4 14 0 4 1 1 0 4 4 7 1 0 3 2 9
1-Dec vs WAS W 23:17 6 10 2 3 8 9 0 1 1 8 0 0 4 1 22
5 MONTREZL HARRELL FORWARD/CENTER • 6-8 • 240 • LOUISVILLE • 4
2019-20
• 12/1 vs Washington, recorded a career-high 15 rebounds. This was the first time that he recorded a double-double in the first half (12 points/10 rebounds). He also became the first player in Clippers history to have 20+ points and 15+ rebounds off the bench.
• 11/24 vs New Orleans, matched his career-high of 34 points and became the fourth player in NBA History to have 34+ points, 12+ rebounds, and 2+ blocks off the bench.
• 11/18 vs Oklahoma City, became the seventh Clipper in team history to finish with 28 points, 12 rebounds (including a career-best eight on the offensive glass) and five assists.
• 11/6 vs Milwaukee, recorded a career-high 34 points as well as season-highs in assists (5) and FGM (13). He also became the first Clipper since Blake Griffin to record 30+ points, 12+ total rebounds and 6+ offensive rebounds.
2018-19
• 4/15 at Golden State recorded a franchise record for most makes without a miss in a playoff game and recorded a career playoff-high of 10 rebounds.
• 4/13 at Golden State, tallied a playoff career-high 26 points, in addition to five rebounds, two blocks and two steals in Game 1. He’s the second player since 1985 to log 25+ points, 5+ rebounds, 2+ blocks and 2+ steals off the bench in a postseason game (Blair Rasumussen, 4/22/86) and the only player to do so in 30 or fewer minutes played. Lou Williams (25) and Harrell (26) became the first pair of reserve teammates on record to each score 25+ points in a postseason game (bench stats first recorded in 1970-71). LA’s reserves tallied 65 points, the ninth-most of any team in a postseason game since 1985
•3/19 vs Indiana, recorded his 17th double-double of the season and 20th of his career. •2/27 at Utah, recorded his 1,000 career rebound. • 1/20 at San Antonio, made first start of the season and scored 18 points, his most in 19 career starts. • 1/8 vs Charlotte, became the only player to log 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists and 2+ steals off the bench this season.
• 12/23 at Golden State, reached 2,000 career points in 3,551 minutes, becoming one of nine active players to reach 2,000 points in as few minutes behind Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Kyrie Irving, Karl-Anthony Towns, Joel Embiid and Donovan Mitchell.
• 12/22 vs Denver, recorded his 10th 20-point game and eighth double-double of the season, finishing the night with 20 points and 10 rebounds. He also became one of five players since 1984-85 and the first player in Clippers history (1984-present) with 20+ points and 10 rebounds in under 20 minutes
. • 12/2 at Dallas, marked his third time in his career with consecutive 20+ point games (3/6/18-3/9/18, 11/10-11/12). • 11/20 at Washington, scored 14 points in the 4th Q, which marks the highest scoring 4th Q of his career.
• 11/19 at Atlanta, recorded career-highs of five steals and 15 made free-throws. Became only player in NBA history with 25+ points, 11+ rebounds, 5+ steals & 2+ blocks as a sub.
DATE OPPONENT W/L MIN FG FGA 3FG 3FGA FT FTA OR- DR- TOT A ST BS TO PF
PTS 9-Dec at IND W 29:44 12 22 0 0 2 5 3 5 8 1 0 1 1 3 26
8-Dec at WAS W 25:11 8 12 0 1 4 7 2 3 5 0 0 1 1 3 20
6-Dec at MIL L 23:34 3 7 0 0 5 7 2 5 7 2 0 1 0 3 11
3-Dec vs POR W 29:50 11 13 0 0 4 12 4 5 9 1 1 0 0 3 26
1-Dec vs WAS W 27:18 9 15 0 2 5 9 3 12 15 1 1 1 2 0 23
CONNECTIONS:
• Clippers guard Lou Williams played the 2014-15 season with the Raptors, winning the NBA’s Kia Sixth Man of the Year Award.
• Raptors guard Norman Powell played collegiately for four seasons at UCLA.
• Clippers assistant Rex Kalamian coached Raptors forward Serge Ibaka in the same capacity in Oklahoma City for six seasons (2009-15).
• Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard spent last season with the Toronto Raptors, winning the 2019 NBA Championship.
• Clippers forward Patrick Patterson spent parts of four seasons as a member of the Toronto Raptors (2014-17).
• Clippers forward JaMychal Green and Raptors center Marc Gasol were teammates on the Memphis Grizzlies for parts of five seasons (2015-19).
CLIPPERS 2019-20 ROSTER
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT BIRTHDATE PRIOR TO NBA/HOME COUNTRY YRS
21 Patrick Beverley G 6’1″ 180 7/12/1988 Arkansas / USA 7
7 Amir Coffey (2W) G 6’7″ 210 6/17/1997 Minnesota / USA R
13 Paul George F 6’8″ 220 5/2/1990 Fresno State / USA 9
4 JaMychal Green F 6’8″ 220 6/21/1990 Alabama / USA 5
8 Maurice Harkless F 6’7″ 208 5/11/1993 St.Johns / USA 7
5 Montrezl Harrell F/C 6’7″ 253 1/26/1994 Louisville / USA 4
25 Mfiondu Kabengele F 6’9″ 250 8/14/1997 Florida State / Canada R
2 Kawhi Leonard F 6’7″ 225 6/29/1991 San Diego State / USA 8
14 Terance Mann G 6’5″ 215 10/15/1996 Florida State/ USA R
19 Rodney McGruder G 6’4″ 205 7/29/1991 Kansas State/ USA 3
15 Johnathan Motley (2W) F 6’8″ 230 5/4/1995 Baylor / USA 2
54 Patrick Patterson F 6’8″ 235 3/14/1989 Kentucky/ USA 9
1 Jerome Robinson G 6’4″ 190 2/22/1997 Boston College / USA 1
20 Landry Shamet G 6’5″ 190 3/13/1997 Wichita State/ USA 1
10 Derrick Walton Jr. G 6’0″ 185 4/3/1995 Michigan/USA 1
23 Lou Williams G 6’1″ 175 10/27/1986 South Gwinnett HS (GA) / USA 14
40 Ivica Zubac C 7’0″ 265 3/18/1997 Mega Leks (Serbia)/ Croatia 3
Head Coach Doc Rivers Marquette
Assistant Coaches Tyronn Lue Nebraska Rex Kalamian Cal Poly Pomona Sam Cassell Florida State Brendan O’Connor Saint Anselm Armond Hill Princeton Casey Hill Trinity University John Welch UNLV Jeremy Castleberry SDSU J.P. Clark Flagler Vice President of Player Performance / Assistant Coach Todd Wright Springfield Vice President, Integrated Development & Evaluation Dee Brown Jacksonville University Director of Rehabilitation Maggie Bryant Minnesota Director of Medical Services/Head Athletic Trainer Jasen Powell Cal Poly Pomona Assistant Athletic Trainer Tommy Murdock Chapman University Head Strength & Conditioning Coach Daniel Shapiro Seattle Pacific University Strength & Conditioning Coach Brent Tanaka UCLA
Before we get to The Return of the King (non-LeBron version) and all of the hoopla that will surround Kawhi Leonard’s lone trip back to Toronto this season (barring a Finals meeting, of course), we unfortunately need to reflect on Monday’s hideous contest in Chicago and Sunday’s much more entertaining (but still not rewatchable) game…
Woz Blog: Missing open shots ailing the Raptors right now — Toronto Sun
GAME #23 – TORONTO RAPTORS (15-7) vs. CHICAGO BULLS (8-16) MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2019 – 8 P.M. (ET) – UNITED CENTER TV: SPORTSNET – RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
INJURY REPORT AS OF 1:30P.M. MONDAY
TOR@CHI
Chicago Bulls Felicio, Cristiano Out Injury/Illness – Right Wrist; Fracture – Hutchison, Chandler Out Injury/Illness – Right Shoulder; Sprain – Mokoka, Adam Out G League – Two-Way – Porter Jr., Otto Out Injury/Illness – Left Foot; Bone bruise – Strus, Max Out G League – Two-Way – White, Coby Probable Injury/Illness – Right Hamstring; TIghtness –
Toronto Raptors Brissett, Oshae Out G League – Two-Way – Hernandez, Dewan Out G League – On Assignment – Johnson, Stanley Out Injury/Illness – Left Groin; Stress reaction – McCaw, Patrick Out Injury/Illness – Left Knee; Surgery – Ponds, Shamorie Out G League – Two-Way – Thomas, Matt Out Injury/Illness – Left Finger; Middle; fracture – distal phalanx – VanVleet, Fred Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Contusion
NOTE-A-BULL FOR TONIGHT
Dating to Dec. 2 at Sacramento, Lauri Markkanen has made four three-point field goals in each of his last four outings. This is the longest such streak with four-plus threes of his career and it is tied for the longest such streak by a Bulls player in team history, which was originally set by Nikola Mirotić from March 22-30, 2017. Only two players in the league have accomplished this in five straight games this seasons, Houston’s James Harden (six games) and Washington’s Davis Bertans (five).
TEAM NOTE-A-BULLS
Chicago is forcing the opposition to the turn the ball over a league-best 18.3 times per game this season. Its opponents have committed 20-or-more turnovers seven times this season, which are tied for the most occurrences in the league.
Over its last 10 games, Chicago opponents are shooting .322 from beyond the arc. The only other teams in the league whose opposition is shooting a worse 3-point field goal percentage in its last 10 contests are Denver (.306) Dallas (.306). Overall, Bulls opponents this season are shooting .327 from 3-point range, the third-lowest percentage in the league.
As a team, the Bulls have totaled 401 deflections, which are the most among Eastern Conference teams and ranks third in the league.
The Chicago Bulls 515 points off turnovers are the most in the league. The next closest team are the L.A. Lakers with 455.
Chicago’s 228 steals lead the league. Since 1983-84, the only other seasons in team history the Bulls had more steals through their first 24 games was 1994-95 (231) and 1990-91 (248).
Across the first 23 games of the 2019-20 season, the Bulls are outscoring the opposition, 634-597, in the first quarter. The +37 point differential in the opening frame is the fourth-best in the Eastern Conference and seventh in the league. Over the last five seasons, .861 percent of teams that finish the season with a positive +/- in the first quarter have made the postseason.
The Bulls held the Heat to 49 first-half points on Sunday representing the fifth time in its last 10 games Chicago opponents have scored 50-or-less points in a game’s opening half. Overall, the Bulls are allowing the opposition to score an average of 52.2 points per first half this season, which is the sixth lowest average in the league.
Chicago knocked down 13 threes on Sunday, representing the team’s sixth consecutive contest with 10-plus 3-point field goals dating back to Nov. 29 at Portland. This is tied for the fourth-longest such streak in team history and it is the longest since they did it in seven straight from Oct. 22-Nov. 2, 2018.
The Bulls, 106-99, win against the Grizzlies on Wednesday was the team’s first wire-to-wire victory of the season.
The first half on Wednesday saw Chicago outscore Memphis, 50-35. The Grizzlies’ 35 points were the fewest the Bulls had allowed in a game’s opening half since they held the Nets to 32 points in the first half on April 12, 2017. The last time Chicago held a Western Conference opponent to fewer points in a first half was Dec. 8, 2016 against San Antonio (32 points).
Chicago swatted a season-high 13 shots on Wednesday, the most they have had in a single game since blocking 18 shots on Jan. 1, 2015 vs. Denver.
PLAYER NOTE-A-BULLS
Coby White made three of his attempts from 3-point range on Sunday bringing his career total to 51 threes. He is the only rookie this season who has totaled at least 50 3-point field goals and he is ninth player in league history to make 50-or-more threes within a player’s first 24 career games. He joins Markkanen (55 threes) as the only Bulls in team history to accomplish this.
On Sunday, White dished out a career-high eight assists, which were the most in a single game by a Bulls rookie since Derrick Rose had 11 assists on April 15, 2009 against Toronto.
Thaddeus Young on Sunday went 5-10 (.500) from field, good for his 339th career game with a field-goal percentage of at least .500 when attempting 10-or-more shots. The 339 occurrences are the ninth-most among active players.
With 18 points on Sunday, Zach LaVine’s season total now stands at 536. He is one of 13 players in the league and one of five in the Eastern Conference to reach the 500-point mark this season. This is the second consecutive season in which LaVine has totaled at least 500 points within the team’s first 25 games of a campaign. He joins current member of the Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler (twice), as the only Chicago players to accomplish this multiple times since 2000-01.
Satoransky’s five assists on Friday moved his career total to 900 assists (now 902). With 291 career turnovers, he joins Memphis’ Tyus Jones (928 assists, 207 turnovers) as the only active players in the league with at least 900 assists and fewer than 300 turnovers.
Kris Dunn (three steals) recorded his 14th multi-steal game of the season on Sunday, which are tied for the most such games in the league. His 48 total steals are the second-most in the league.
White hit four shots beyond the arc on Friday, his fifth game of the season with four-plus threes. The five such games are the most among rookies.
LaVine on Wednesday dropped a team-high 25 points. In each of Chicago’s four games from Nov. 27-Dec.4, all of which came against a team from the West, LaVine scored 25-plus points. The last Bulls player to accomplish this when Chicago had played at least four consecutive contests against Western Conference opponents was Hall of Famer Michael Jordan in four straight from Nov. 20-25, 1997 (Elias Sports Bureau).
Wendell Carter Jr. and Daniel Gafford each blocked four shots on Wednesday. This was the first time two Bulls each blocked at least four shots in a single game since Dec. 2, 2015, versus Denver when Pau Gasol (four) and Joakim Noah (four) each accomplished this.
Twelve of Markkanen’s 20 points on Wednesday came from beyond the arc. The four threes brought his career total to 300 (now 312) 3-point field goals. In 141 career games, he became the fifth-fastest player in league history to make 300 threes behind Portland’s Damian Lillard (117 games), Utah’s Donovan Mitchell (132), Minnesota’s Robert Covington (134) and Golden State’s Klay Thompson (138).
Satoransky is averaging 5.2 assists and 2.1 turnovers per game this season. He joins Milwaukee’s Eric Bledsoe (5.6 apg, 2.2 tpg.), Indiana’s T.J. McConnell (5.0, 1.5), Washington’s Isaiah Thomas (5.1, 2.2), Toronto’s Fred VanVleet (7.0, 2.4) and Boston’s Kemba Walker (5.0, 2.2) as the only qualifying Eastern Conference players who are averaging at least 5.0 assists and fewer than 2.5 turnovers per game this season.
Carter Jr. (106) is one of four players in the league with at least 100 screen assists joining Utah’s Rudy Gobert (163), Indiana’s Domantas Sabonis (162) and Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson (103).
UNCONSCIOUS To cap off his career-best 49-point performance on Nov. 23, Zach LaVine hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds remaining. This was the second time in his Bulls career he made a game-winning shot with 1.0 second-orless remaining in the game. Since 2000-01, he is the only Bulls player to make two such shots.
150 On Nov. 23, Wendell Carter Jr. brought down his 150th career offensive rebound in his 61st career game. He became the fourth-fastest player in team history to reach this total behind Elton Brand (33 games), Charles Oakley (56) and Taj Gibson (57).
WHITE’S NIGHT On Nov. 12 vs. New York, Bulls rookie Coby White scored 27 points. Twenty-three of his points came in fourth quarter, the most by a Bulls rookie in any quarter since 2000-01. He made seven threes in the quarter, an NBA rookie quarter record, and he became the youngest player in NBA history to make at least seven threes in a game.
NBA ALL-STAR 2020 Chicago will host 69th annual NBA All-Star at the United Center on Sunday, Feb. 16, marking the third NBA All-Star in Chicago. In addition to the All-Star Game, the United Center will be the venue for the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 14, as well as State Farm All-Star Saturday Night, which features the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, the JBL Three-Point Contest and the Verizon Slam Dunk. Wintrust Arena, home of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, will host the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and All-Star Game practices.
Hate the result, but don’t waste time second guessing the process. Read More
Blaming Nurse for thinking outside the box is a bit rich — Toronto Sun
– Raptors-Rockets was an interesting “experiment,” as Nick Nurse put it. Nurse decided to try something new against James Harden. Did it work? Well, Houston won, but if Ben McLemore is going to hit eight threes against you, as Jay Triano once said, “What the F__ are you gonna do?” If I’m armchair quarterbacking, though, […]
Woz Blog: No need to panic as Raptors reintegrate Lowry, Ibaka — Toronto Sun. …
FINAL SCORE: HOUSTON ROCKETS 119, TORONTO RAPTORS 109
DATE: DECEMBER 5, 2019 ATTENDANCE: 19,800 (Sellout)
FINAL SCORE RECORD HIGH POINTS HIGH REBOUNDS HIGH ASSISTS
Houston 119 14-7 McLemore – 28 Capela/Westbrook – 13 Westbrook – 11 Toronto 109 15-6 Siakam – 24 Siakam – 9 Lowry – 8
KEY RUN Leading 101-100 with 8:39 remaining in the fourth, Houston went on a 12-3 to push the lead to 10 with 6:34 left … Toronto would cut the deficit to six twice in the final four minutes but couldn’t pull any closer.
KEY STAT The Rockets set opponent franchise records in both three-point field goals made and attempted (22-for-55) for a single game … Ben McLemore led the attack from beyond the arc with a career-high eight three-pointers … McLemore’s 17 three-point attempts were also the most attempted by an opposing player in franchise history.
RAPTORS NOTES:
• With the loss, Toronto falls to 15-6 this season and 9-2 at home … The Raptors have lost consecutive games first the first time this season … Toronto begins a two-game road trip Sunday at Philadelphia.
• The Raptors outscored Houston 50-28 in the paint
. • Fred VanVleet finished with 20 points in 38 minutes – his sixth 20-point game in the last eight games … VanVleet is averaging 21.3 points during this stretch. • The Raptors had five players score double figures – Pascal Siakam (24), VanVleet (20), Kyle Lowry (19), Norman Powell (14) and Serge Ibaka (10) … Siakam led the team in scoring for the 13th time … Powell has now scored 10 or more points in 10 of the last 11 games.
ROCKETS NOTES: • With the win, Houston improves to 14-7 on the season and 6-5 on the road … The Rockets have won three of their last four games … The victory snapped a three-game winless streak on the road.
• Houston has now won three in a row vs. Toronto, including its last two trips north of the border.
• The Rockets outrebounded Toronto 54-45, including 20-12 on the offensive glass … Houston had a 24-16 scoring advantage second chance points.
• Ben McLemore scored a season-high 28 points in 29 minutes – his fourth 20-point game of the season and second in the last three games … Someone other than James Harden led the Rockets in scoring for the first time since Russell Westbrook paced Houston in points on opening night (Oct. 24) with 24.
• James Harden recorded 23 points and a season-high five steals in 40 minutes. • Russell Westbrook posted his second consecutive triple-double and fifth of the season with 19 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in 36 minutes of action … Westbrook’s six career triple-doubles against the Raptors are the most by any player.
• The Rockets had five players score in double digits – McLemore (28), Harden (23), Westbrook (19), PJ Tucker (18) and Danuel House Jr. (16).
NICK NURSE NAMED EASTERN CONFERENCE COACH OF THE MONTH
The National Basketball Association announced Monday that Toronto Raptors 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 (second in the east) 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, yet finished the month on a six-game winning streak and a perfect 8-0 record at Scotiabank Arena. The team ranked first defensively, holding opponents to an NBA-best .408 field goal shooting percentage and fourth in points allowed (103.8). Offensively, Toronto ranked first among east teams averaging 14.3 three-pointers made and a .395 three-point shooting percentage.
Highlighting the month was a key 101-96 victory Nov. 25 vs. Philadelphia in a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series. The Raptors held the Sixers’ all-star duo of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons to a combined 10 points on 4-of-19 shooting from the field. Toronto has so far faced 12 all-stars from last season and held eight players under 15 points.
Toronto followed up the next game by tying a franchise-record with 21 three-pointers made Nov. 27 vs. New York. It was the Raptors’ 33rd consecutive home victory against Atlantic Division opponents, setting a new NBA record for home wins against division opponents.
A native of Carroll, Iowa, Nurse became the first coach to win both an NBA and NBA G League championship, after guiding Toronto to its first title last spring. He recently coached his 100th game for the Raptors and holds a career record of 73 wins and 28 losses.
-RAPTORS
RAPTORS NOTES • The Toronto Raptors begin a three-game homestand Sunday night when they host the Utah Jazz at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto has won a season-high six straight games (Nov. 18-29). The Raptors have won 10 of the last 12 meetings with the Jazz. Pascal Siakam averaged 22.0 points and a team-high 8.5 rebounds in two victories over Utah last season. Toronto has swept the season-series with the Jazz four times in the last six seasons (2013-19).
• Toronto has set a franchise record with eight straight victories at home to begin the season. The Raptors won seven consecutive games at Scotiabank Arena to open the 2018-19 campaign. Toronto is one of just four teams in the NBA still without a loss at home, joining Boston (7-0), Miami (8-0) and Philadelphia (9-0). The Raptors’ average margin of victory at home this season is +14.8 points, with four double-digit victories.
• 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. Ten of the Raptors’ 16 games in December are against teams currently with a +.500. Toronto is 2-4 vs. teams with a winning record this season.
• Norman Powell scored a career-high 33 points (12-18 FG, 5-8 3PT, 4-4 FT), including 19 in the third quarter, in 39 minutes of action Nov. 29 at Orlando. Powell scored 30+ points for the second time in his career (Last: 30 – Apr. 13, 2016 at Brooklyn). The Raptors have had four different players score 30 or more points this season: Pascal Siakam (seven times), Fred VanVleet (twice), Kyle Lowry and Powell. • Orlando shot just .346 (27-for-78) from the field, including .241 (7-for-29) from three-point distance, on Friday night. It marked the eighth time this season the Raptors have held their opponent below 40 percent shooting from the floor (6-2); something they did five times during the regular season last year. Toronto currently leads the NBA in opponent field goal percentage (.408) and ranks fourth in both opponent threepoint field goal percentage (.330) and points allowed per game (103.8)
• Fred VanVleet finished with 22 points and a career-high seven steals Nov. 29 at Orlando. VanVleet became the seventh player in team history to record at least seven steals in a single game, joining Doug Christie (seven times), Alvin Robertson, Jerome Williams, Morris Peterson, Chris Bosh, and most recently, Kyle Lowry. Lowry registered a career-best seven steals Mar. 13, 2015 vs. Miami. • Toronto shot .512 (21-for-41) from beyond the arc and tied a single game franchise record with 21 3-point field goals Nov. 27 vs. New York. It marked the second time this season, and just the fifth time in team history, the Raptors made at least 20 threes in a single game. Toronto currently leads the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage (.395) and ranks fourth in three-point field goals per game (14.3) – behind Houston (15.7), New Orleans (14.9) and Dallas (14.4).
• The Raptors’ 14 wins through 18 games ties the best start in franchise history. Toronto also started the regular season 14-4 in 2014-15 and 2018-19. The Raptors are 5-2 vs. the Western Conference this season. Toronto has finished with a +.500 record against the West each of the last six seasons (2013-19).
PROBABLE STARTERS
F – OG ANUNOBY #3
MIN: 30.1 REB: 5.6 AST: 1.6 STL: 1.1 TO: 1.2 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 11.3
• Recorded two points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals in 35 minutes Nov. 29 at Orlando. • Ranks sixth in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage (.477); has made three or more threes five times. • Toronto is a perfect 9-0 this season when Anunoby scores 10 or more points (Last: 13 – Nov. 27 vs. New York).
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 36.9 REB: 8.6 AST: 3.9 STL: 0.8 TO: 2.8 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 25.1
• Posted seventh double-double with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds Nov. 29 at Orlando. • Ranks 14th in the NBA in scoring (25.1) and third in minutes per game (36.9). • Has scored 30+ points seven times; had five 30-point performances in 80 games played last season.
C – MARC GASOL #33
MIN: 28.6 REB: 6.6 AST: 3.3 STL: 0.5 TO: 1.3 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 5.8
• Finished with six points, seven rebounds and one assist in 32 minutes Nov. 29 at Orlando. • 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 – NORMAN POWELL #24
MIN: 27.9 REB: 3.8 AST: 1.6 STL: 0.7 TO: 1.5 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 12.7
• Scored a career and game-high 33 points in 39 minutes Nov. 29 at Orlando – his second career 30-point effort. • Averaging 15.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 30.8 minutes in 10 games as a starter. • Has scored in double figures in nine of the last 11 games (Nov. 8-29); averaging 16.1 points during this stretch.
G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 37.8 REB: 3.9 AST: 7.3 STL: 2.0 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.1 PTS: 18.5
• Recorded 22 points, five rebounds, four assists and a career-high seven steals Nov. 29 at Orlando. • Leads the NBA in minutes per game (37.8) and tied for 10th in assists (7.5). • Toronto is 7-1 this season when VanVleet scores 20 or more points (Last: 22 – Nov. 29 at Orlando).
INJURY REPORT Dewan Hernandez (Right thumb; sprain) – Questionable Serge Ibaka (Right ankle; sprain) – Questionable Stanley Johnson (Left groin; stress reaction) – Out Kyle Lowry (Left thumb; distal phalanx fracture) – Doubtful Patrick McCaw (Left knee; surgery) – Out Matt Thomas (Left middle finger; distal phalanx fracture) – Out
TONIGHT’S GAME DETAILS Opponent: Utah Jazz Date: Sunday, December 1 Tip-Off: 6 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: Sportsnet Radio: TSN 1050 Toronto
SERIES RECAP VS. UTAH
OVERALL HOME ROAD 2018-19
2-0 1-0 1-0
ALL-TIME 18-27 9-13 9-14
STREAKS Won 2 Won 1 Won 3
LAST WIN: January 1, 2019 (122-116)
LAST HOME WIN: January 1, 2019 (122-116)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +24, November 9, 2013
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -32, December 7, 2012
LAST TIME VS. UTAH
GAME 39 – JANUARY 1, 2019 TORONTO 122, UTAH 116
TORONTO — Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 45 points, Pascal Siakam had a career-best 28 points with 10 rebounds, and Toronto beat the Utah Jazz 122-116 … Norman Powell scored a season-high 14 points, and the Raptors won their fourth straight at home despite playing without All-Star guard Kyle Lowry (sore back) and center Jonas Valanciunas (dislocated left thumb) … Leonard shot 16 for 22 overall, missing all three attempts from 3-point range, and went 13 for 17 at the free-throw line … Jae Crowder scored a career-high 30 points, Derrick Favors had 21 and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for the Jazz … Utah’s Rudy Gobert scored 16 points, and Ricky Rubio had 14 … Leonard made all seven of his fieldgoal attempts in the third quarter and added five foul shots … After making two 3-pointers in the first half, the Raptors connected on their first three long-range shots of the third quarter, turning a two-point halftime deficit into a 12-point edge midway through the quarter … Siakam went 3 for 3 from 3-point range in the third and scored 13 points … Toronto outscored Utah 44-32 to take a 95-85 lead into the fourth … The Raptors set a franchise record with 44 points in the third quarter.
1 2 3 4 TOT UTAH
24 29 32 31 116
INJURY REPORTS AT 1:30 SUNDAY
UTA@TOR Toronto Raptors Hernandez, Dewan Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Thumb; Sprain – Ibaka, Serge Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprain – Johnson, Stanley Out Injury/Illness – Left Groin; Stress reaction – Lowry, Kyle Doubtful Injury/Illness – Left Thumb; Fracture – distal phalanx – McCaw, Patrick Out Injury/Illness – Left Knee; Surgery – Ponds, Shamorie Available G League – Two-Way Out Thomas, Matt Out Injury/Illness – Left Finger; Middle: fracture – distal phalanx – Utah Jazz Brantley, Jarrell Out G League – Two-Way – Morgan, Juwan Out G League – On Assignment – Oni, Miye Out G League – On Assignment – Wright-Foreman, Justin Out G League – Two-Way
TORONTO 26 25 44 27 122
NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: Miami Heat Date: Tuesday, December 3 Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: Sportsnet Radio: TSN 1050 Toronto
UTAH JAZZ
LAST GAME’S STARTERS
44 BOJAN BOGDANOVIĆ F • 6-8 • 226 • Croatia
PPG • 22.1 RPG • 4.4 APG • 2.2
• Posted career-highs in points (18.0), rebounds (4.1), assists (2.0), steals (0.9), field goal percentage (.497) and 3-point percentage (.425) last season with the Indiana Pacers • Ranked 38th in field goal percentage and 10th in 3-point percentage in the league last year
23 ROYCE O’NEALE F • 6-4 • 222 • Baylor
PPG • 5.9 RPG • 4.6 APG • 2.6
• Third on team in field goal percentage in 201819 (.475) (minimum 200 attempts) • Has played in both Spain and Germany • Born in Harker Heights, Texas
27 RUDY GOBERT C • 7-1 • 258 • Cholet Basket
PPG • 13.4 RPG • 13.9 BPG • 2.1
• Two time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2018, 2019) • 2016-17 All-NBA Second Team and 2018-19 All-NBA Third Team • First player since Wilt Chamberlain (1966-67) to total over 1,200 points on better than 65 percent shooting and 1,000 rebounds in a single season (2018-19)
45 DONOVAN MITCHELL G • 6-1 • 220 • Louisville
PPG • 25.3 RPG • 5.1 APG • 3.7
• Led all NBA sophomores in scoring in 2018-19 (23.8 ppg) • Two-time Western Conference Player of the Week (1/6-1/13 & 2/25-3/3) • Youngest player in Jazz history to score 45+ points in a single game (46 vs. MIL 3/2/19)
10 MIKE CONLEY G • 6-0• 180 • Ohio State
PPG • 13.9 RPG • 3.6 APG • 4.6
• Currently one of only 10 active players to have totaled over 11,000 points, 4,500 assists, 2000 rebounds and 1,000 steals • NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Week (week of March 4-10, 2019) • Three-time NBA Sportsmanship Award winner (2014, 2016, 2019) 2019-20
INJURY REPORT
Jarrell Brantley – OUT (G League – Two Way) Justin Wright-Foreman – OUT (G League – Two Way) Juwan Morgan – OUT (G League Assignment) Miye Oni – OUT (G League Assignment)
CONNECTIONS: Raptors C Marc Gasol and Jazz G Mike Conley played together in Memphis for 11 seasons from 2008-2019 … Jazz F Juwan Morgan and Raptors F OG Anunoby both played collegiately at Indiana University … Jazz F Georges Niang and Raptors F Matt Thomas were teammates at Iowa State for three season (2013-2016)
GOOD COMPANY This season, Donovan Mitchell is one of four qualified guards to be averaging over 25 points and five rebounds per game. Among those players, he is the shortest at 6-1.
REBOUNDIN’ RUDY Jazz Center Rudy Gobert has collected 13.9 rebounds per game so far this season, making him third in the NBA in rebounds per game, only behind Andre Drummond (17.1) and Clint Capela (14.7)
STARTING STRONG Through the first 12 games of the season, Donovan Mitchell scored a total of 305 points. He is the first Jazzman to score more than 300 points through 12 games since Karl Malone scored 302 points in the 1999-2000 season and the first Jazz guard to do so since Adrian Dantley scored 373 points in 1985-86.
STIFLE’S SCREEN ASSISTS Rudy Gobert has recorded 139 screen assists so far this season, good for first in the NBA. Gobert has 13 more screen assists than anyone else in the league, with Indiana’s Domantas Sabonis being second on the list with 126 screen assists.
RUDY’S BIG NIGHT By going 11-of-12 from the field against the Warriors on 11/11, Rudy Gobert recorded the highest field goal percentage (91.7%) by a Jazzman with at least 10 FGA’s since Karl Malone shot 12-of-12 from the field on 2/3/2001.
HOME COOKIN’ The Jazz have begun the 2019-20 campaign with 8-1 record at games played at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz join the Los Angeles Lakers (9-1) and Los Angeles Clippers (11-1) as the only western conference teams with only one home loss this season.
BEATING THE BUZZER The Jazz defeated the Milwaukee Bucks on 11/8 thanks to a heroic three-pointer at the buzzer from Bojan Bogdanović, giving him 33 points on the evening. The game winning shot marked the first buzzer beater by a Jazzman since Rudy Gobert on 3/5/17, who connected on a shot at the buzzer against the Sacramento Kings to give the Jazz a 110-109 victory in overtime.
THE 900 CLUB In the 110-96 victory over the Clippers on 10/30, Rudy Gobert recorded his 900th career blocked shot. Gobert becomes just the fifth Jazzman to record at least 900 blocks, joining Mark Eaton (3,064), Andrei Kirilenko (1,380), Greg Ostertag (1,253) and Karl Malone (1,125).
RUDY SEEING DOUBLE By tallying 14 points and 16 rebounds on 11/6 against the Philadelphia 76ers, Gobert collected his 203rd career double-double, putting him at fourth all-time in Jazz history. Gobert now trails only Karl Malone (799), John Stockton (714) and Carlos Boozer (212).
NEW ADDITONS The Jazz welcome a total of 10 new players to their roster for the 2019-20 season. NBA veterans new to the Jazz this year include Mike Conley (last w/Memphis), Bojan Bogdanović (last w/Indiana), Emmanuel Mudiay (last w/New York), Jeff Green (last w/Washington) and Ed Davis (last w/Brooklyn). The Jazz have five rookies on their roster, including Miye Oni (Yale), Jarrell Brantley (Charleston), Justin Wright-Foreman (Hofstra), Juwan Morgan (Indiana) and Nigel Williams-Goss (Gonzaga, last w/Olympiacos.
DYNAMITE DONOVAN In the season opening game against the Thunder on 10/23, Donovan Mitchell poured in 32 points in addition to pulling down 12 rebounds. With his performance, Mitchell became just the fourth Jazzman to put in at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in the team’s opening game and the first player to do so since Carlos Boozer had 32 points and 15 rebounds on 10/30/2007 against the Warriors.
JOE THREE-INGLES With 694 three pointers made, Joe Ingles sits in second place in Jazz history in 3PM. Ingles is one of just seven players in Jazz franchise history to knock down 500 or more threes, joining John Stockton (845), Gordon Hayward (689), Bryon Russell (540), Darrell Griffith (530), Mehmet Okur (517) and Deron Williams (511).
RAINING TRIPLES AFTER TWO In the Utah’s 113-81 victory over the Sacramento Kings on 10/26, the Jazz connected on 13 three-pointers in the first half. The 13 triples tied the franchise record for three-pointers in a half, also making 13 in through two quarters against the Denver Nuggets last season on 1/23/19. Bojan Bogdanović led the way with four first half triples, which is tied for fourth-most three-pointers in the first half by a Jazzman.
IRON MAN JOE Per Elias Sports Bureau, Joe Ingles has now played 323-straight games, the longest active streak in the NBA. Also, since the start of the 2014-15 season, Ingles has played in more games (425) than anyone else in the NBA.
2018-19 HIGHLIGHTS
YOU KIDDIN ME? PLAYOFFS? Utah finished the 2018-19 season with a 50-32 record, advancing to the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The Jazz finished the second half of the season strong, posting a 18-7 (.720) record after the All-Star Break. Since the 2016-17 season, the Jazz are third in the NBA with a 52-22 (.703) post All-Star Break record, behind only the Houston Rockets (56-18, .757) and the Portland Trail Blazers (54-21, .720).
50 WIN SEASON The Jazz finished last season at 50-32 good for 5th in the Western Conference. That marked the 16th time in Jazz history they have won 50 or more games in a single season and second time in the last three seasons, going 51-31 in 2016-17.
FRENCHMEN CAN DUNK Rudy Gobert finished the 2018-19 season with 306 dunks, setting an NBA record for dunks in a single-season. Gobert was trailed by Giannis Antetokounmpo (279), Clint Capela (240), Montrezl Harrell (203) and JaVale McGee (201).
BIG MAN, BIG YEAR Rudy Gobert became the first player since Artis Gilmore in 198182 to be averaging over 15 points on 65 percent-or-better from the field, 10-or-more rebounds and at least two blocks. The last two times that has been done in a single season since 1946-47 were by Artis Gilmore in 1980-81 and 1981-82.
GO CRAZY, GOBERT During the 2018-19 season, Gobert totaled 1,284 points and 1,041 rebounds on .669 shooting from the field, making him the second player in NBA history to record at least 1,200 points and 1,000 rebounds on .650 shooting from the field. The only other player in NBA history to achieve this feat was Wilt Chamberlain during the 1966-67 season (1,956 points, 1,957 rebounds on .683 shooting).
MITCHELL AND NETS Last season against Milwaukee (3/2), Donovan Mitchell registered a career-high 46 points on 15-32 shooting from the field, including career-highs in both free throws made (11) and attempted (14). With 46 points, Mitchell (22 years-176 days) became the youngest player in franchise history to score 45+ points in a single game (prev. Adrian Dantley (23 years-272 days). Mitchell also set career-highs for points in a half (31 pts in the second half) and a quarter (19 pts in the fourth quarter).
GAME #15 – TORONTO RAPTORS (10-4) vs. ATLANTA HAWKS (4-11) SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2019 – 7:30 P.M. (ET) – STATE FARM ARENA TV: TSN – RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
RAPTORS NOTES
• The Toronto Raptors travel to Atlanta on Saturday to face the Hawks at State Farm Arena. Toronto has won seven in a row against the Hawks, including the past four meetings in Atlanta. The Raptors swept the season-series last year (3-0) for the second straight season and third time in franchise history. Pascal Siakam averaged 22.7 points and 9.3 rebounds in three games vs. Atlanta in 2018-19.
• The Raptors held Orlando to .385 (35-for-91) shooting from the field, including .281 (9-for-32) from 3-point range, on Wednesday night. It was the sixth time this season Toronto has held its opponent below 40 per cent shooting from the floor; something they did just five times during the regular season last year. The Raptors currently rank first in the NBA in opponent field goal percentage (.406), seventh in opponent 3-point percentage (.330) and eighth in points allowed (105.4).
• Terence Davis II led the reserves in scoring for the second straight game with a career-high 19 points (710 FG, 3-5 3PT, 2-2 FT) Nov. 20 vs. Orlando. Davis added a career-best eight rebounds and five assists in 27 minutes against the Magic. Over the past six games (Nov. 10-20), Davis is averaging 11.7 points off the bench, and has scored in double figures four times. He currently ranks second among rookies in both 3 -point field goal percentage (.485) – behind only Matt Thomas (.565) – and +/- rating (+65).
• Fred VanVleet led the Raptors with 24 points and seven assists in 35 minutes Wednesday night against the Magic. VanVleet has had at least four more assists than turnovers in each of the last 10 games (Oct. 30 – Nov. 20). During this span, he’s totaled 81 assists compared to just 22 turnovers.
• The Raptors currently lead the NBA in three-point shooting percentage (.401) and rank fifth in total 3-pointers made (201) – behind Houston (233), New Orleans (225), Milwaukee (212) and Portland (202). Toronto made a season-high 20 3-point field goals Nov. 18 vs. Charlotte – it marked just the fourth time in franchise history the Raptors made 20 or more threes in a single game.
• Pascal Siakam has scored 30+ points in five of the first 14 games this season. He had five 30-point performances in 80 games played last season after not reaching the 30-point mark in either of his first two NBA seasons. Siakam recorded his sixth double-double on the year with 18 points, a team high-tying 11 rebounds and four assists in 35 minutes Nov. 20 vs. Orlando.
• Chris Boucher posted his second consecutive double-double, and third of his career, with 14 points and a season high-tying 11 rebounds Nov. 20 vs. Orlando. Boucher leads the Raptors with 26 offensive rebounds this season, including 13 offensive boards in the past two games.
• Toronto 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 have opened the season with six straight victories at home – one win shy of the franchise record to start a year. Toronto began the 2018-19 campaign with seven consecutive wins at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors are one of just four teams in the NBA still without a loss at home this season, joining Boston (5-0), Miami (6-0) and Philadelphia (5-0).
PROBABLE STARTERS
F – OG ANUNOBY #3
MIN: 29.4 REB: 5.4 AST: 1.5 STL: 1.0 TO: 1.1 BLK: 1.1 PTS: 12.2
• Totaled nine points, four rebounds and one block in 23 minutes Nov. 20 vs. Orlando.
• Has scored 10 or more points seven times, including two 20-point performances.
• Ranks second in the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage (.520); has made multiple 3s in seven games.
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 36.7 REB: 8.8 AST: 4.1 STL: 0.8 TO: 3.0 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 25.1
• Finished with 18 points, a team high-tying 11 rebounds and four assists in 35 minutes Nov. 20 vs. Orlando.
• Has recorded five games of 30+ points; had five 30-point performances in 80 games played last season.
• Ranks 12th in the NBA in scoring (25.1) and fourth in minutes per game (36.7).
C – MARC GASOL #33
MIN: 28.2 REB: 6.9 AST: 3.1 STL: 0.4 TO: 1.6 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 6.4
• Contributed five points, six rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes Nov. 20 vs. Orlando.
• Reached 12,000 career points in the NBA Nov. 16 at Dallas.
• Has collected 10+ rebounds three times, including a season-high 12 rebounds Nov. 2 at Milwaukee.
G – NORMAN POWELL #24
MIN: 27.1 REB: 4.0 AST: 1.6 STL: 0.7 TO: 1.4 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 11.4
• Recorded 15 points, one rebound and two assists in 38 minutes Nov. 20 vs. Orlando.
• Averaging 14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 30.9 minutes in six games as a starter.
• Has scored in double figures in six of the last seven games (Nov. 8-20); averaging 15.3 points during this stretch.
G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 37.6 REB: 4.0 AST: 7.6 STL: 1.9 TO: 2.4 BLK: 0.1 PTS: 17.6
• Finished with team highs of 24 points and seven assists in 35 minutes Nov. 20 vs. Orlando.
• Has recorded at least five assists in all 14 games this season — the longest streak of his career.
• Tied for sixth in the NBA in assists (7.6) and ranks second in minutes per game (37.6).
INJURY REPORT
Serge Ibaka (Right ankle sprain) – TBD
Stanley Johnson (Left groin stress reaction) – Out
Kyle Lowry (Distal phalanx fracture – left thumb) – Out
Patrick McCaw (Left knee surgery) – Out
TONIGHT’S GAME DETAILS Opponent: Atlanta Hawks Date: Saturday, November 23, 2019 Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET) Venue: State Farm Arena Television: TSN Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN
SERIES RECAP VS. ATLANTA
OVERALL HOME ROAD
2018-19 3-0 1-0 2-0
ALL-TIME 44-45 23-21 21-24
STREAKS Won 7 Won 3 Won 4
LAST WIN: Feb. 7, 2019 (119-101)
LAST ROAD WIN: Feb. 7, 2019 (119-101)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +44, Dec. 3, 2016
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -31, Dec. 2, 2009
LAST TIME VS. ATLANTA
GAME 56 – FEB. 7, 2019 TORONTO 119, ATLANTA 101
ATLANTA — Pascal Siakam scored a career-high 33 points, Fred VanVleet added a career-best 30 and the Raptors rallied after trailing by 17 points in the first half to beat the Atlanta Hawks 119-101 … The Raptors were short-handed after trading four players in two deals … Toronto used only nine players and relied heavily on Siakam, who also had 13 rebounds, and VanVleet with All-Star Kawhi Leonard out due to a sore left knee … Trae Young and Taurean Price each had 19 points for the Hawks … Atlanta led 66-49 in the second quarter … After their big deficit, the Raptors used an 11-0 run to launch their comeback … Danny Green, who had 12 points, sank three free throws to cap the run … Toronto kept the momentum in the third quarter and led 88-85 entering the final period … The Raptors opened the fourth quarter with a 13-3 run to extend the lead in their third straight win … The Hawks scored 68 points in the first half and only 33 after halftime … Kyle Lowry had 13 points while making only 3 of 13 shots from the field … He had 13 assists …. Siakam scored 17 points in the second quarter.
1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 22 38 28 31 119
ATLANTA 33 35 17 16 101
NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: Philadelphia 76ers Date: Monday, November 25, 2019 Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: Sportsnet Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN
2019-20 TORONTO RAPTORS ROSTER
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT BIRTHDATE PRIOR TO NBA/HOME COUNTRY NBA EXP.
3 OG Anunoby F 6-8 232 7/17/1997 Indiana / England 2
25 Chris Boucher F 6-10 200 1/11/1993 Oregon / Canada 2
12 Oshae Brissett* F 6-8 210 6/20/1998 Syracuse / Canada R
0 Terence Davis ll G 6-4 205 5/16/1997 Mississippi / USA R
33 Marc Gasol C 7-1 255 1/29/1985 Akasvayu Girona / Spain 11
20 Dewan Hernandez C 6-11 235 12/9/1996 Miami / USA R
4 Rondae Hollis-Jefferson F 6-7 217 1/3/1995 Arizona / USA 4
9 Serge Ibaka F-C 6-10 235 9/18/1989 Ricoh Manresa (Spain) / Republic of Congo 10
5 Stanley Johnson F 6-7 245 5/29/1996 Arizona / USA 4
7 Kyle Lowry G 6-1 196 3/25/1986 Villanova / USA 13
22 Patrick McCaw G 6-7 185 10/25/1995 UNLV / USA 3
13 Malcolm Miller G-F 6-7 210 3/6/1993 Holy Cross / USA 2
11 Shamorie Ponds* G 6-1 180 6/29/1998 St. John’s / USA R
24 Norman Powell G 6-4 215 5/25/1993 UCLA / USA 4
43 Pascal Siakam F 6-9 230 4/2/1994 New Mexico State / Cameroon 3
21 Matt Thomas G 6-4 190 8/4/1994 Iowa State / USA R
23 Fred VanVleet G 6-0 195 2/25/1994 Wichita State / USA 3
* Two-way player
HEAD COACH: Nick Nurse (Northern Iowa)
ASSISTANT COACHES: Adrian Griffin (Seton Hall), Sergio Scariolo (Italy), Nate Bjorkgren (Buena Vista), Patrick Mutombo (Metro State), Jim Sann (Colorado), Jon Goodwillie (Brock), Brittni Donaldson (Northern Iowa) ASSISTANT COACH/DIRECTOR OF SPORTS SCIENCE: Alex McKechnie (Leeds School of Physiotherapy) ATHLETIC TRAINER: Scott McCullough (Toronto)
NUMERICAL ROSTER: 0 Terence Davis ll 9 Serge Ibaka 20 Dewan Hernandez 24 Norman Powell 3 OG Anunoby 11 Shamorie Ponds 21 Matt Thomas 25 Chris Boucher 4 Rondae Hollis-Jefferson 12 Oshae Brissett 22 Patrick McCaw 33 Marc Gaso 5 Stanley Johnson 13 Malcolm Miller 23 Fred VanVleet 43 Pascal Siakam 7 Kyle Lowry .
FRIDAY’S RESULT
HAWKS POSSIBLE STARTERS (STATS NOT INCLUDING FRIDAY AT DETROIT.)
POS NO. PLAYER HT. WT. G GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG MPG FG% 3FG% FT%
F 12 DE’ANDRE HUNTER 6-7 225 14 14 11.1 4.5 1.5 0.8 0.2 30.0 .399 .364 .722
F 5 JABARI PARKER 6-8 245 14 9 17.0 6.1 1.6 1.4 0.6 27.7 .521 .291 .703
C 30 DAMIAN JONES 6-11 245 13 5 6.2 3.6 0.8 0.6 0.9 16.9 .660 .500 .643
G 22 CAM REDDISH 6-8 218 14 12 7.6 3.8 1.7 1.1 0.4 24.5 .298 .235 .786
G 11 TRAE YOUNG 6-1 180 13 13 26.8 3.8 8.6 1.7 0.1 33.7 .440 .361 .816
STORYLINES
• Atlanta ranks fourth in the NBA in steals per game and has swiped at least 10 steals in six games this season, tied for the second-most in the league.
• Trae Young is the only NBA player to rank in the Top five in apg (3rd), Top 10 in ppg (7th) and Top 10 in spg (t7th) … Young leads the Eastern Conference in assists per game (8.6) and also has seven games with at least two steals and six games totaling 30+ points or more … He has scored at least 20 points in seven straight games, the second-longest streak of his career (eight games from (3/13/19-3/29/19)
• Jabari Parker has recorded at least two steals in four consecutive games, the longest streak of his career … Parker has recorded seven total games with multiple thefts this season and is averaging 18.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.89 steals on .511 FG% in nine starting assignments … He ranks t24th in the NBA in FG% (.521) and t30th in steals per game (1.36) … The first-year Hawk is 4th in the NBA in slam dunks, throwing down 39 jams through 14 games.
• On 11/20 vs. Milwaukee, Vince Carter led all Hawks reserves with 13 points … He tied a season-high with three 3FGM, adding two assists and one rebound.
• Allen Crabbe has scored in double-figures in back-to-back games, posting 11 points on 11/17 at LAL and scoring 10 points on 11/20 vs. Milwaukee … Crabbe is shooting .462 FG% (6-13), .500 3FG% (4-8) and .833 FT% (5-6) over the last two games.
• De’Andre Hunter recorded the first double-double of his career and posted career-highs in both points (27) and rebounds (11) on 11/20 vs. Mil … Hunter has scored in double figures in six straight games, averaging 15.0 points and knocking down at least one 3-pointer in each contest … Hunter is shooting .483 (14-29) from long distance during the stretch.
• Cam Reddish scored a career-high 17 points on 11/20 vs. Mil, giving him three consecutive contests with at least 10 points for the first time in his career … The rookie from Duke added three rebounds and one steal in 28 minutes of play … Reddish is tied for fifth in steals per game among qualifying first-year players.
INJURY REPORT Cam Reddish (left wrist sprain) is questionable John Collins (league suspension) is out Kevin Huerter (left rotator cuff strain) is out Brandon Goodwin
HAWKS NOTES
CAM AND TRAE’S MCDOUBLE: Trae Young and Cam Reddish shot their way to the top of the field in the McDonald’s All-American Three-Point Shootout in consecutive years (2017-18). Young took home the 2017 title in Chicago with a score of 19 and Reddish was named the 2018 co-champion in Atlanta, along with Immanuel Quickley, with a score of 17.
HAWKS NAB THREE DRAFTEES: For the second consecutive year, Atlanta entered the season with three rookies selected within the first 34 picks of the NBA Draft. The Hawks chose Cam Reddish from Duke University with the 10th overall pick on June 20; On July 7, Atlanta acquired the draft rights to the University of Virginia’s De’Andre Hunter, the fourth overall pick, and the draft rights to Bruno Fernando, selected 34th overall out of the University of Maryland. Hunter was originally selected by the Los Angeles Lakers, then traded to New Orleans on July 6. A day later, Atlanta acquired Hunter, along with Solomon Hill, a conditional 2023 second-round pick and the draft rights to Jordan Bone, from the Pelicans in exchange for the draft rights to Jaxson Hayes, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Marcos Louzada Silva and a conditional 2020 first-round pick. The Hawks acquired Fernando’s rights from Philadelphia in exchange for the draft rights to Bone and two second-round draft picks.
WELCOME TO ATLANTA: During the offseason, Atlanta acquired two-time NBA Champion Damian Jones, two former No. 2 overall draft picks (2014’s Jabari Parker and 2010’s Evan Turner), six-year veteran Allen Crabbe and eight-year veteran Chandler Parsons. In 2018-19, Jones posted career-high averages in points (5.4), boards (3.1), assists (1.2), blocks (1.0) and minutes (17.1), earning 22 starting assignments in 24 appearances. Parker saw action in 64 games (17 starts) with Chicago and Washington last season, averaging 14.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 26.9 minutes (.493 FG%, .313 3FG%, .712 FT%). Parsons has played in 435 career regular season games (369 starts) in eight seasons with Houston, Dallas and Memphis, averaging 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 30.3 minutes. Last season with the Nets, Crabbe averaged 9.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 26.3 minutes over 43 games (20 starts). In nine seasons with Philadelphia, Indiana, Boston and Portland, Turner has averaged 9.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 27.2 minutes (.435 FG%, .781 FT%).
TERRAPIN TIMES THREE: Bruno Fernando, Kevin Huerter and Alex Len all played collegiately at The University of Maryland. Fernando spent two seasons (2017-18 and 2018-19) at Maryland, earning Big Ten All-Freshman honors following his first season and being named to the Big Ten All-Defensive team and First Team All-Big Ten after his sophomore campaign. Huerter started all 33 games as a freshman in College Park in 2016-17 and increased his scoring output to 14.8 points during an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention performance in his sophomore year. Len also spent two years (2011-12 and 2012-13) as a Terp, averaging 11.9 points and 7.8 rebounds in his sophomore season before becoming the No. 5 overall selection in the 2013 NBA Draft.
HIGH-SCORING ST. JOE’S BROS: DeAndre’ Bembry and Charlie Brown Jr. are no strangers to putting up big numbers in a Hawks uniform, having both played at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA. The two swingmen are the only players in SJU history to lead the A-10 in scoring; Bembry posted 17.7 ppg in 2014-15 while Brown scored a conference-best 19.0 ppg in 2018-19. Bembry enjoyed a prolific career on Hawk Hill from 2013-16, winning A-10 Co-Rookie of the Year honors in 2013, being named to the A-10 AllConference First Team twice (2015 and 2016) and being named the A-10 Player of the Year in 2016. Brown started 30 of 31 games for the Hawks as a freshman and won the A-10 scoring as a redshirt sophomore last season.
THE CITY OF SOUTHERNLY LOVE Atlanta enters the 2019-20 season with multiple ties to the Philadelphia area: Head Coach Lloyd Pierce was a member of the Sixers’ coaching staff for five seasons prior to arriving in Atlanta; First-year Hawks guard/forward Evan Turner was selected No. 2 overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by Philadelphia; Hawks guards DeAndre’ Bembry and Charlie Brown Jr. played their college ball at St. Joseph’s University; Rookie forward De’Andre Hunter is a Philly native; and first-year swingman Cam Reddish is a product of nearby Norristown, PA.
The view from left field 