It wasn't perfect, but it was a promising start for the Toronto Raptors. Facing another team with designs on contending in the East, the Raptors edged the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-105 in the season opener on Wednesday. (michaelgrange)
The Raptors, in their quest to contend, doubled down on their strong finish from a year ago, and ran their roster back, with a few tweaks.
Pascal Siakam’s performance in the second half of last season was the prime mover in the Raptors’ late surge and — having pledged to prove himself as a top-five player — he got off to a strong start against Cleveland.
Another drive from Anunoby in transition kept things rolling. But a triple from Gary Trent Jr. in the corner and a floater from Siakam – both against set defences – put the Raptors up by six with 1:33 to play. It got pretty tense from that point as the Cavs worked their way to the line enough to cut Toronto’s lead to one with 4.5 seconds to play, but Scottie Barnes found a streaking Precious Achiuwa for a dunk to break the Cavs press and put the game on ice.
Still, we can have all the expectations we want, but what are coach Nick Nurse’s expectations for a team that finished with a 34-17 surge to close last season, came back almost entirely intact and added some depth? The Raptors now go to Brooklyn to face the Nets. Then come two on the road in Miami, two at home against the 76ers and the new-look Atlanta Hawks. Not a softie in the bunch.
The Raptors’ problems were their own making. While one of the Raptors’ points of emphasis was to get to the rim more and — presumably score more once there — as a way to improve their halfcourt efficiency, it took a while to take.
المملكة العربية السعودية أحدث الأخبار, المملكة العربية السعودية عناوين
Similar News:يمكنك أيضًا قراءة قصص إخبارية مشابهة لهذه التي قمنا بجمعها من مصادر إخبارية أخرى.
That time a Toronto Raptor made the entire world laugh with just a single wordPostgame interviews can be even more legendary than the preceding games themselves. Case in point, a rather impressive 2010 comeback victory by a m...
اقرأ أكثر »
Toronto Raptors set to tip new season off against Cavaliers at Scotiabank ArenaThe Toronto Raptors welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers to Scotiabank Arena for their regular-season opener tonight.
اقرأ أكثر »
Toronto Raptors set to tip new season off against Cavaliers at Scotiabank ArenaThe Toronto Raptors welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers to Scotiabank Arena for their regular-season opener tonight.
اقرأ أكثر »
BETTING: Looking at the Toronto Raptors odds this yearThe NBA season starts this week, so it’s a good time to check out some Futures odds centred around Canada’s favourite team, the Toronto Raptors.
اقرأ أكثر »
5 major storylines as Raptors begin new seasonWith a roster largely unchanged from last season, the Toronto Raptors are facing many of the same questions as they prepare to tip-off the 2022-23 season on Wednesday.
اقرأ أكثر »