Raptors

After their 117-105 win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, VanVleet stated that a formal offer from the team was never actually made and that ...

That number is still on the board should the team choose to put forward a formal offer. It was a mutual decision made by both sides that the smart thing to do would be to wait it out," VanVleet said. "There was never a formal offer made.

Pascal Siakam a marqué 27 points et les Raptors de Toronto ont battu les Trail Blazers de Portland 117-105, dimanche, pour décrocher leur première victoire ...

Un panier d’Anfernee Simons a permis aux Trail Blazers de revenir à cinq points avec 1 : 40 à jouer, mais Christian Koloko a marqué pour sceller la victoire des Raptors. Ils ont mené par 19 points au troisième quart et ont entamé le quatrième quart avec une avance de 89-74. Nous voulons que tout le monde apporte son petit quelque chose avec de bonnes minutes et je crois que tout le monde a fait ça (aujourd’hui).

The Toronto Raptors saw Scottie Barnes rise to the call, playing with the kind of aggression they've needed in Sunday's victory over the Portland Trail ...

He beat Portland with his trademarked spin move early, got into his bag of tricks with a floater in the paint, and nailed a wide-open three-pointer when VanVleet found him in the corner with a beautiful high-arcing pass. Anunoby put Toronto back up 10 to wrap up the night. Siakam bounced back from a pair of slow games with 13 of his team-high 27 points in the first quarter. After beating Nurkic off the dribble late in the quarter, he came back down on the next possession, put his shoulder into the chest of Portland's center, and whizzed a pass out to VanVleet for an open three. If Barnes is going to side with one extreme the Raptors are more than happy to have him lean aggressive. He scored Toronto's second bucket of the game, a 14-footer over the dropping Jusuf Nurkic.

Cameras caught Barnes and Young arguing after halftime on Sunday, but the two players said the incident was no big deal.

Fred VanVleeet had to go. Trade Gary Trent Jr. Nick Nurse is running this team into the ground. Masai Ujiri went from 'In Masai We Trust' to “does he know how ...

It wasn’t a perfect game, but it was just what the Raptors needed. It got back up to 19 again in the third quarter but was down to just three with about five minutes to play. A 19-point lead in the second quarter was down to just five at half time.

Siakam led the Raptors in scoring with 27 points, and added six assists as well. Scottie Barnes had an excellent all-around game, scoring 22 points on 12 shots, ...

Siakam had a monster first quarter: 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting, three rebounds and three assists, as the Raptors took a 34-27 lead into the second. A Siakam spin-finish gave the Raptors a 20-17 lead — and forced Chauncey Billups to call his own exasperated timeout. Unfortunately the Raptors’ defensive effort wasn’t there early, as a Nurkic dunk and a Hart layup in transitoin — in which no Raptor even attempted to stop the ball — forced Nurse to call an early timeout. With the Raptors leading 80-66, Lillard found himself facing Christian Koloko on a mismatch, although he got the step, Koloko got what looked like another clean block — but was called for another foul, and when he was protested, a technical foul as well. A Lillard three-point play, followed by VanVleet airball, which in turn was followed up a Hard layup, cut the lead all the way down to three, 95-93. Led by Lillard and Nurkic, the Blazers cut the lead to 58-53 at the half. On the ensuing Blazers possession, Josh Hart flew in for a dunk that Barnes challenged, and rejected — only to be called for the foul. A couple plays later Thad outhustled everyone for a 50-50 ball and tossed it ahead to Anunoby, who dunked (and once again restored the 19-point lead). A zone-heavy D seemed to confuse the Blazers, and Trent soon extended the lead with back-to-back triples; all told it was a 6.5-minute, 16-4 run before a Lillard triple brought the Blazers back to within 50-34 and the Raptors bought the starters back into the game. That 50-34 lead nearly disappeared over the next six minutes as the starters struggled to score — and then an endless stream of whistles and replays mired the game in a slog. It was a rare treat to see the Raptors reserves take care of business — and they did it with Lillard and Nurkic both on the floor, too. With the Raptors leading 89-74 heading into the fourth, you knew Damian Lillard was tapping his wrist, ready to lead another huge crunch time effort and steal a win.

Pascal Siakam a marqué 27 points et les Raptors de Toronto ont battu les Trail Blazers de Portland 117-105, dimanche, pour décrocher leur première victoire ...

Un panier d’Anfernee Simons a permis aux Trail Blazers de revenir à cinq points avec 1:40 à jouer, mais Christian Koloko a marqué pour sceller la victoire des Raptors. Ils ont mené par 19 points au troisième quart et ont entamé le quatrième quart avec une avance de 89-74. Anunoby ont inscrit 14 points chacun pour les Raptors (17-23), qui n’ont gagné que six de leurs 20 dernières rencontres.

Blazers coach Chauncey Billups called it. Raptor Fred VanVleet's numbers weren't off the charts, but his impact was immeasurable in Sunday's game at ...

He also had a heated encounter with teammate Young during the halftime warm-up period that was making the social media rounds. “He actually told me he loved me. “We hit the lottery in the first half, not so much in the second. It was a gamble, and having them play zone defence almost exclusively added to it, but given the lack of bench production for a week, why not try something new. “Changes a lot of things, but it changes the scoreboard most importantly. That kind of big shot — O.G. “That was a big swing there. VanVleet didn’t hear those words, but he made them prophetic with a game of rather understated elegance as the Raptors put on one of their most thorough performances of late. He controlled the tempo, did not commit a turnover, steadied things when needed, and drilled two huge catch-and-shoot three-pointers in the fourth quarter to quell a late Portland rally. “He’s a guy who takes what you give him. So when the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers spoke Sunday about Raptor He’s been an NBA champion and NBA Finals MVP, as well as an all-star and all-NBA selection multiple times.

Raps had to double, opening up cuts and passes for triples. Unbelievable block in isolation on Lillard and erased one at the rim that should have been point ...

- Identity is so huge in the NBA. - Raps went gigantic early in the second with Boucher, Achiuwa, and Koloko all playing together. Offense is supposed to be easy in the NBA! But Flynn has got a spot in the rotation. He got to run some pick and roll for the bench, which is in his wheelhouse and worked great. Great split in the pick and roll to throw a lob to Achiuwa. His defensive process was really solid – he gets to his spots on time, which is not a thing every Raptor does. Gave up the spotlight to Barnes early on the offensive end, but he got a couple quick scores in the post midway through the first quarter to pull Toronto close. He used his legs with and without the ball to chop Portland’s defense into bits. Underrated thing he’s done the last week or two: He’s been phenomenal cracking back on the defensive glass and getting his body into much bigger players to steal boards. Won the game in the clutch with passing and rebounding. He held up great on Lillard on switches, although he got got late in the fourth.

TORONTO — Pascal Siakam scored 27 points and the struggling Toronto Raptors beat the Portland Trail Blazers 117-105 on Sunday for their first win in four ...

CAN-CON — The Raptors honoured Trail Blazers rookie and London, Ont., native Shaedon Sharpe with a video tribute. It was a mutual decision made by both sides that the smart thing to do would be to wait it out. The Blazers took an early six-point lead, but the Raptors went on a 25-4 run that straddled the first and second quarters. Anunoby drilled a three from in front of the Raptors bench after Trent stole the ball off Lillard for a 10-point lead with 3:04 to play. Siakam's three-pointer less than four minutes into the third quarter capped a 14-0 Raptors run that gave them a 19-point lead. But the Blazers replied with a 20-4 run of their own, slicing the difference to just three points a minute before halftime. Precious Achiuwa threw down an alley-oop dunk from Malachi Flynn early in the second for a 15-point advantage. They led by 19 points in the third quarter and cruised into the fourth up 89-74. "I think a lot of people contributed, which is a small step forward to get a bunch of contributions and get some really good, quality minutes (from bench players). Pascal Siakam scored 27 points in the Raptors' first victory in four games. "Competing man, just trying to get a win and, again, laying it all out there on the line," VanVleet said of his six quick points. So, just competing in the moment and trying to find a way to get it done, and we were able to do that tonight."

These three Toronto Raptors trends, shown off in both the Blazers win and some of their prior losses, are reasons to look on the bright side.

These three trends, shown off in both the Portland game and some of their prior losses, are reasons to look on the bright side. With four of their next six games coming against teams that are below .500 on the year, the Raptors could turn things around. Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers coming to town didn’t seem like the easiest game on the schedule.

TORONTO (AP) — Pascal Siakam scored 27 points, Scottie Barnes had 22 and the Toronto Raptors snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Portland ...

… Recorded assists on eight of nine made baskets in the first quarter. Raptors: Trent failed to extend his career-best streak of scoring 20 or more points to a seventh game. Toronto restored its double-digit cushion with a 14-0 run to start the second half. Portland missed eight straight field goal attempts to start the second and fell behind 48-29, before Hart ended the drought with a dunk. … Rookie G Shaedon Sharpe, from London, Ontario, played in Canada for the first time. Toronto led 92-76 with 10:40 left in the fourth but Portland cut it to 97-94 on Lillard’s basket with 6:17 remaining.

While Barnes asserted himself during Sunday's win over Portland, he was also caught arguing with a teammate.

He hooked up [his buddy from Douala](https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=81&GameID=0022200597&Season=2022-23&flag=1&title=Siakam%201%27%20Running%20Layup%20(6%20PTS)%20(Koloko%202%20AST)), [Pascal Siakam](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/pascal-siakam-O4WMbrh2Eb51D9jq/), on a mini-break, too. He carried a group with four reserves in an [excellent start](https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=217&GameID=0022200597&Season=2022-23&flag=1&title=Trent%20Jr.%2026%27%203PT%20Pullup%20Jump%20Shot%20(7%20PTS)) to the second quarter to the most meaningful run of the game, given the [bench’s recent struggles](https://theathletic.com/4061507/2023/01/06/raptors-development-sinking/), with the offence [tilted in his direction](https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=220&GameID=0022200597&Season=2022-23&flag=1&title=Trent%20Jr.%2025%27%203PT%20Step%20Back%20Jump%20Shot%20(10%20PTS)). [nice dose](https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=146&GameID=0022200597&Season=2022-23&flag=1&title=Lillard%20Bad%20Pass%20Turnover%20(P1.T5)) of [rim protection](https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=79&GameID=0022200597&Season=2022-23&flag=1&title=MISS%20Lillard%206%27%20Driving%20Bank%20Hook%20Shot) defensively. With the Raptors facing decisions on more central players, it is very possible they decide to get players further away from unrestricted free agency (and/or a draft pick) rather than prioritize the re-signing of Trent to a multiyear contract. [Indiana](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/pacers/) and [Milwaukee](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/bucks/) earlier in the week, the Trail Blazers had their starting centre sag way off [Scottie Barnes](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/scottie-barnes-q6oHKUdJcW7PgLaq/) to prioritize defence at the rim. [Gary Trent Jr.](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/gary-trent-jr-zZoHqRt2NYjJg9ul/) is the likeliest candidate to be moved. He is a better defender now compared to when he arrived with the Raptors, but he probably tops out as an aggressive but mistake-prone player on that end, and he isn’t big enough to be matchup-proof. [took a dribble and hit a short jumper](https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=12&GameID=0022200597&Season=2022-23&flag=1&title=Barnes%2015%27%20Pullup%20Jump%20Shot%20(2%20PTS)) early, and then [fired a 3](https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=26&GameID=0022200597&Season=2022-23&flag=1&title=Barnes%2026%27%203PT%20Jump%20Shot%20(5%20PTS)%20(VanVleet%201%20AST)) when Jusuf Nurkić continued to camp out near the rim. However, he doesn’t have the long history with the Raptors that the other main pieces do, and he has yet to show he can grow meaningfully as a playmaker for others. He also didn’t record a field goal until the fourth quarter against the [Knicks](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/knicks/) on Friday. It appeared Young said he wanted to make sure Barnes was ready, with Barnes taking exception to the notion it was necessary. At that point, Portland changed things enough that the Raptors could find other holes, with Barnes cutting when [Nurkić went down to provide help](https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=33&GameID=0022200597&Season=2022-23&flag=1&title=Hart%20S.FOUL%20(P1.T1)%20(E.Scott)) inside on O.G.