NBA
Raptors Bounce Back Against the Clippers, win 121-103
After last game’s terrible effort against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Toronto Raptors had something to prove against the Los Angeles Clippers.
And they did.
Despite Kyle Lowry’s absence (more lower back issues for our 32-year old point guard), the Raptors played inspired defense and moved the ball well on offense. As a result, Toronto built a 21-11 lead at the 4:11 mark of the first quarter.
A Tale of Two Benches
However, once the bench came in, the entire lead evaporated. Lou Williams led the Clippers reserves with six points, and the first quarter ended with a 23-23 tie.
Then the exact same Raptors bench did the improbable: they built the lead back up to 40-30 at the 7:31 mark of the second quarter.
This bench is maddening. They are at times brilliant and are also at times embarrassing. CJ Miles hit a couple 3s – which is always good to see from a player who has struggled so much this season.
Once the starters came back in, they picked up where they left off. Kawhi Leonard found his stroke again, the team also played strong defensively, and the Raptors built a 65-51 lead heading into the halftime break. Leonard had 15 at the half, Serge Ibaka also had a good first half, scoring 12 points.
Raptors in Control
Toronto continued their momentum throughout the entirety of the third quarter, running the score up to 97-80 at the end of the third quarter. Against the Bucks last game, the Raptors scored 92 points. Yesterday, they scored 97 after 75% of the game. Message sent.
The fourth quarter was really just to make everything official. Garbage time special. This game was over after three quarters.
Final score: Toronto 121, Los Angeles 103
Notes:
Leonard scored 30.2 PPG in January, leading the Eastern Conference.
Notable Performances: Clippers vs Raptors
Kawhi Leonard – 26 minutes, 18 points, 3 3PM, 5 REB, 2 AST, 1 BLK
Serge Ibaka – 22 minutes, 16 points, 12 REB
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 19 points, 9/15 FG, 5 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK
Next game:
Raptors play the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, February 5th at 8pm in Philadelphia.
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Photo Credit
James Anderson via Flickr
