TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors capped off a seven-game homestand with their fourth win and three season highs on Monday.
Chris Boucher scored 17 because the Raptors poured in a season-high 70 factors within the first half to cruise to a 124-101 win towards the Sacramento Kings earlier than 19,463 at Scotiabank Enviornment.
Not solely did their 70-point opening half surpass the 67 they scored within the second half towards the Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 24, however the Raptors additionally set season highs in bench factors with 53 and workforce assists at 28. The earlier highs in these classes had been 38 bench factors in Golden State on Nov. 21 and 27 assists, a mark hit twice this fall.
“That was a great one,” Raptors guard Fred VanVleet mentioned. “You in all probability get a few these a 12 months. It appeared like now we have seen a number of these previously, however we’ll take what we are able to get.
“I assumed we got here out with an expert strategy, set the tone early, and we had been simply in a position to management it from there. However everyone who stepped on the ground tonight contributed in a significant method.”
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All 5 Toronto starters scored in double figures. Along with Boucher’s 17, Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam popped in 16 factors apiece. VanVleet scored 12, and Gary Trent Jr. added 10.
“After they play with that a lot tempo and power, they had been simply all over the place,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse mentioned. “They had been chopping actually laborious on offence. They had been jarring the ball away, operating laborious.
“All 5 of them had been simply bringing great power, and that’s kinda what they need to do, and after they do it, they’ll do a very good job out three.
“That was a heckuva run they put up and an amazing job by the bench. 9 guys in double figures, that’s fairly cool.”
4 gamers off the bench additionally hit double figures with Malachi Flynn checking in for 14 factors, adopted by Yuta Watanabe with 12, Shi Mykhailiuk at 11 and Justin Champagne at 10.
Da’Aaron Fox scored a game-high 29 factors for the Kings (11-17), who’ve dropped 5 of their final eight video games. Veteran Kings head coach Alvin Gentry described his workforce’s efficiency as “embarrassing.”
“I’ll take duty as a result of I’m imagined to have them ready,” mentioned Gentry. “It’s my job to have them ready. We’re going to maintain plugging away at it.”
Watanabe additionally grabbed 10 rebounds for Toronto for the primary double-double of his profession.
“I’m not gonna lie, I used to be gassed on the finish,” mentioned Watanabe, who performed the final 16 minutes. “That’s the way it ought to be. Each time I get on the court docket, I work laborious, carry power. After each recreation, I ought to be gassed.”
Watanabe regarded on the rating clock with about 4 minutes left and noticed he had 9 rebounds, “so I went for it. I’m actually happy with myself.”
The Raptors misplaced Canadian Dalano Banton for the second half with what the workforce described as a non-COVID-related sickness. He is not going to journey with the workforce to go to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.
The Raptors discovered earlier Monday that their house recreation towards the Chicago Bulls on Thursday was postponed. Ten Chicago gamers and a few workers had been positioned within the league’s COVID-19 well being and security protocols.
Ahead Treasured Achiuwa missed the outing towards Sacramento due to COVID-19 well being and security protocols. Additionally absent from the Toronto lineup had been OG Anunoby (left hip pointer), Khem Birch (proper ankle) and David Johnson (left calf pressure).
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Dec. 13, 2021.
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