Barnes, Trent lead Raptors over Suggs, pesky Magic
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Raptors ahead Scottie Barnes performed down any discuss of a rivalry with Orlando’s Jalen Suggs earlier than Friday’s recreation, then got here out and made an announcement anyway.
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Barnes, the fourth decide of June’s NBA Draft, scored Toronto’s first seven factors and 19 of his 21 for the sport within the first half of a nail-biting 110-109 Raptors win.
The scrappy younger Magic, who bought 21 factors from Suggs, chosen a decide after Barnes and 24 from Cole Anthony, caught with the Raptors all through, however an ice chilly Toronto offence caught hearth, hitting 11-of-12 photographs to start out the ultimate quarter to lastly make up for torrid outdoors taking pictures by the guests.
After beginning the sport 1-for-9 from the sector, Fred VanVleet missed solely considered one of seven fourth quarter makes an attempt, which ought to have put the sport away.
However Suggs, simply after being subjected to “Scottie’s higher” barbs from some loud followers whereas taking pictures free throws, hit an enormous three-pointer whereas being fouled, plus the free throw, to chop the Toronto result in 4 with 52 seconds remaining. When OG Anunoby missed a three-pointer and Orlando bought the rebound, issues actually bought fascinating. The Magic known as timeout, however Gary Trent Jr., excellent defensively all season, blew up the ultimate play, forcing Anthony again into the halfcourt and for an tried heave that fell properly brief.
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Each franchise turned over each attainable rock in scouting Barnes and Suggs earlier than the draft. Each got here away followers. Raptors head coach Nick Nurse had talked up Suggs earlier than the sport, and his counterpart, Jamahl Mosley, did the identical with Barnes.
“Effectively, Scott, he’s a excessive motor man, a excessive depth man, very versatile. And that’s what he brings to the desk for the Raptors,” Mosley mentioned.
“Scottie’s one of the best. He’s a real brother to me,” Suggs had mentioned earlier, echoing the ideas of Barnes a day earlier … “To see him succeeding on the highest stage, I’m nothing however happy with him.”
Barnes bought poked within the eye simply earlier than halftime, however was checked out and by the point warmups started earlier than the third quarter, he was smiling and dancing like ordinary.
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He was quiet from there, however Toronto nonetheless improved to 3-3, as Orlando dropped to 1-5.
The Raptors began 2-for-14 from three, however hit 5 of their subsequent 11 three-pointers to assist make up for scorching outdoors taking pictures by Orlando (47.1%, with 16 makes for the sport).
AROUND THE RIM
Raptors head coach Nick Nurse mentioned earlier than the sport that Pascal Siakam would journey with the crew to Indianapolis, although he’s not but able to play. Yuta Watanabe was anticipated to seemingly be a part of Siakam on the three-game journey, although his calf difficulty flared up after a latest apply. The excellent news, Nurse mentioned, was Watanabe was feeling a lot better Friday than he had on Thursday. “Hopefully he’ll get on the market shortly,” Nurse mentioned. He mentioned ideally they each would journey as a result of “We’re attempting to maintain these guys with us since we’re nonetheless in such a studying part of issues.” … Nurse, the top coach of the Canadian nationwide crew coincidentally known as on a trio of Canucks as his first three substitutions Friday — Dalano Banton, Khem Birch and Chris Boucher. Nurse once more opted for Banton as his backup level guard, as a substitute of veteran Goran Dragic, who didn’t play for the second recreation in a row, and sophomore Malachi Flynn. Banton was sharp, setting new highs for factors, assists, three-point makes and blocks.