Toronto β Raptors ride fast start and hand Nuggets 4th straight loss 125-110
The Raptors remember the one that got away in Denver, who are now winless since that March 6th home victory over the Raptors. The now struggling Nuggets allowed a new franchise record for Toronto with 49 first quarter points. That was enough for a 19 point lead and the outcome never seemed in questions. Yes the Nuggets went on a run and brought it within three but even then, the crowd at Scotia Bank Arena didnβt seemed phased, neither was the Raptors leader Fred VanVleet.
βFreddie called an incredible game tonight,β Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. βHe really had us incredibly organized. He found a bunch of little wrinkles.β
Wrinkles that lead to VanVleetβs game high 36 and O.G. Anunobyβs 24 point night. The Raptors defence stepped up as well. Donβt let the box score fool you because it could be deceiving. Nikola Jokic scored 28 points with 8 rebounds and 7 assists, Michael Porter Jr. added 23 and Aaron Gordon had 18 in a losing cause.
It was the least impressive 28-8-7 performance I think Iβve every witnessed. It looked good on paper and was very efficient but looked lifeless in person.
βRight now weβre just in chill mode, and you canβt be in chill mode with 13 games to go in the season,β Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. βWeβve got to try to find a way to get our swagger back.β
Fluent Finale: The passes still had zip and flair. They still received the βWOWS!β from the stands but is this the NBAβs MVP? Not in my eyes, not if you watched both ends of the floor tonight. Something we should all do more of.
Now youβre more fluent!