Raptors finally find a way to crown the Kings
No matter what year it is, or who is wearing the uniform, there is something about the capital of California that brings out the worst in the Toronto Raptors franchise.
The Sacramento Kings had swept the past two season series and lost only three times in 20 home games versus the Raptors all time before a mostly young, overmatched squad hung with Toronto until late in the fourth, ultimately losing Sunday’s matinee 102-87.
For DeMar DeRozan, a Raptor since June 2009, it was his first career victory in Sacramento.
“I have no clue ( how to explain it),” the all- star said after scoring a game- best 25 points, along with a seasonhigh nine assists.
“It’s crazy, been in the league nine years and (hadn’t) won … I’m glad I got that monkey off my back.”
As usual, DeRozan had help from Kyle Lowry, who shot only four for 17 from the field but still might have been the best player on the floor. Lowry, definitely one of the smallest, led with 12 rebounds, added six assists and took his 18th and 19th charges, nearly twice as many as anybody else ( 10) has managed in the NBA.
“That type of energy he brings to the table, you just can’t put a number on it,” said head coach Dwane Casey, victorious in his 500th career game with the club.
“One thing about Kyle, if his shot isn’t falling, he’ll affect the game in so many other ways that don’t show up in the stat sheet,” DeRozan added.
The entire starting Raptors group was strong in perhaps its most complete performance together so far this season. An energetic Serge Ibaka scored 20 points, Jonas Valanciunas had nine points and eight rebounds, OG Anunoby was plus- 24. Toronto needed it all, since the reserves had a second rough outing in the past three games, this time against the NBA’s highestscoring bench (Sacramento’s reserves outscored Toronto’s 41-28).
“Serge had a good shooting game and DeMar had a good shooting game and ( Jakob Poeltl) had a good shooting game. Everything else was like, ugh, but that’s a good win, man,” Lowry said.
“That shows a team effort.”
Toronto will complete the back- to- back Monday night in Los Angeles against the Clippers before heading to Phoenix for a game against the Suns on Wednesday.
The Raptors don’t go further west than the central time zone or play four road games in a row again this season after this trip concludes.
Injured Raptors Delon Wright and Lucas Nogueira were taking shots pre- game with their teammates.
“I don’t know — we don’t put a date on it. He did some three-on-three work and he’s getting closer. I don’t know exactly what date that is, but we’re excited,” Casey said of Wright.
It has been just over three weeks since Wright dislocated his shoulder. ESPN pro- jected his return at a month.
Nogueira likely will take longer to return from his torn calf.
With Fred VanVleet playing well and becoming a fourth quarter staple, reconfiguring the rotation to get Wright back in will be a challenge for Casey and his staff.
“Fred VanVleet’s doing a great job for us right now. That’s going to cause some decisions to be made in that situation,” Casey said.
EARLY START
The game was a 12:30 p.m. matinee, the earliest Kings game since Feb. 1, 2009. To- ronto jumped out to a 13- 0 lead against a sleepwalking home side.
Toronto has had issues in early tips over the years, but Casey chose to see the game as a positive.
“This is good practice for us because if we’re fortunate enough to make the playoffs and get into the playoffs, we’ve been unfortunate and fortunate enough to play early games,” he said, being diplomatic about how the NBA has saddled the team with undesirable start times in the post-season.
“So as many early games as we can play is good work.”
AROUND THE RIM
Valanciunas hit his third career three-pointer (second this season) and backup centre Poeltl nailed his first since a heave in the NCAA … Sacramento was without guard George Hill and centre Willie Cauley- Stein, two important regulars … One could make a credible argument that Vince Carter, DeRozan and Doug Christie are three of the four best swingmen in Raptors franchise history ( with Tracy McGrady being the other — apologies to Anthony Parker, Alvin Robertson and Jalen Rose). All three were in the house at the still sparkling new Golden 1 Center. Bonus: The Carter deal was the worst in franchise history and Christie for Corliss Williamson wasn’t far behind … A game after notching 41 fast- break points in Memphis, the most by the team since 2003, Toronto only scored 11.
I HAVE NO CLUE … IT’S CRAZY, BEEN IN THE LEAGUE NINE YEARS AND (HADN’T) WON … I’M GLAD I GOT THAT MONKEY OFF MY BACK.