Leonard endearing himself to Raptors’ fans with another heroic effort in home victory
TORONTO — Just two games into his tenure in Toronto, Kawhi Leonard was serenaded with chants of “M-V-P!” by almost 20,000 fans Friday night.
And while the newest Raptor smilingly brushed aside the gesture — “It’s a little too early,” he said — Leonard certainly showed glimpses of his superstar billing in just his second real NBA game in nine months.
Leonard scored 15 of his 31 points in the third quarter, and hauled down a team-high 10 rebounds to lead the Raptors to a 113-101 victory over the Boston Celtics in a marquee Eastern Conference matchup.
“It’s Game 2, but I appreciate the support,” Leonard said of the chants. “I know they’re excited about us winning the game tonight, and I appreciate it.”
Serge Ibaka contributed 21 points, while Kyle Lowry had 15 points, six assists and five boards as the Raptors (2-0) remained undefeated in early-season action. Danny Green chipped in with 14 points, while Fred VanVleet added 11.
Green, part of the blockbuster deal that brought Leonard to Toronto for DeMar DeRozan, said his former Spurs teammate is already being more assertive, and showing his ability to take over games.
“You can tell he’s a competitor, he wants to compete, he wants the ball, he wants to be on the floor at all times,” Green said. “And he wants to make the big plays, the winning plays, and offensively he’s doing a good job of getting us there, taking us there, carrying us.”
Leonard, who until Wednesday’s opener hadn’t played an NBA regular-season game since Jan. 13, had predicted it would take time to find his rhythm. And while he shot just 3-for-11 in the first half, he was constantly creating havoc on the defensive end and grabbing rebounds with his enormous hands.
“Lungs feel good out there, what I’m trying to do is just get my legs under me, get used to playing these NBA games, getting hit, running up and down the floor, guarding these great players throughout the minutes that I am out there,” said Leonard, who played just nine games last season due to injury. “It’s still going to take time.” Kyrie Irving led the Celtics (1-1) with 21 points in defeat.
The Raptors and Celtics will meet three more times in the regular season. Next up is Nov. 16 in Boston.
The Raptors are in Washington today to play the Wizards, their first-round opponent from last season’s playoffs.