The Toronto Raptors enjoyed a rare night of enjoyable hoops last night in Cleveland. Led by a impossible shooting night from Gary Trent, the G League team broke a team record for first-half points, and cruised to a 135-115 victory. Trent was a poster child for efficiency: 7 of 9 from deep, perfect from inside the arc (10/10) and foul line (3/3), totaling 44 points on 19 shots. There will be a lot of basketball played before someone produces a shooting line close to that one. Almost as absurd was the team’s astonishing 32 makes on 45 attempts in the first 24 minutes. The Cavaliers must have had burning ears courtesy of their coach at intermission, as the Raptors piled up 87 points.
“Isn’t he with the 905?”
I called our guys the G League team above, because none of Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, or Fred VanVleet was in uniform. Instead we watched a collection of unknowns dominate an NBA team which had won its last two games handily. At the race track, observers would sometimes praise a winning jockey with the enigmatic words, “Horses run for him.” Folks, players run for Nick Nurse. One 5-man combination of many I could cite includes Malachi Flynn and Stanley Johnson in the backcourt, with Yuta Watanabe, Freddie Gillespie, and Chris Boucher up front. That group was on the floor for 3+ minutes. I ask you: can you think of a more obscure collection of Raptors?
Actually, you could consider many “Who is that?” combos, particularly when OG Anunoby or Trent were getting a breather. I’m cheating a bit, as last night was Gillespie’s first-ever NBA game. The 23-year-old rookie ran the floor, crashed the boards (which is primarily why he’s been parachuted in), and didn’t look out of place. He managed three buckets in 18 minutes, and was +10. Well done, young man. Now let’s see it again.
Making their case to stay in the rotation
The same words apply to the tireless Watanabe, who scored 14 points in almost 23 minutes, including a pair of long balls which he desperately needs to make if he’s going to stay with the big team. Rodney Hood also hit a pair, but didn’t help much otherwise. He was one of just two Raptors to go minus (-8) and continues to search for a lane. He’s not a 3-point specialist, or a lockdown defender, or an undersized rebounder. Find something positive in a hurry, Rodney.
Let’s wrap up on a high note; Malachi Flynn enjoyed his first double-double performance as a Raptor. With 20 points (his fourth game of five in which he’s scored 10 or more) and 11 dimes, it wasn’t a cheap d-d. The rookie point guard has drained 9 of 18 long balls in his past 4 games, which is a huge relief to everyone.
Our team had about five minutes to celebrate, then needed to race to the airport for a flight to New York. This remorseless schedule continues tonight against the Knicks.
- Tags: Toronto Raptors
