The Toronto Raptors had a matchup against one of the best teams in the NBA this season, and perennially, the five-time NBA Champions San Antonio Spurs. The top scoring backcourt in the Eastern Conference, Kyle Lowry (inactive) and DeMar DeRozan (active), were given the game off for rest as the Raptors coaching staff tries to ensure they’re ready for the grueling NBA Playoffs ahead. The San Antonio Spurs, the team most commonly known for resting players throughout the season and down the stretch into the playoffs, didn’t rest any of their star players in this game.
Given that the Raptors would be playing without their two best players, and NBA All-Stars, the Raptors refused to fold and gave a strong effort all game long, battling back during various stretches of the game, and tried to keep it close.
Despite the Raptors efforts, the Spurs never trailed in the game, and led by as many as 15 points. Toronto battled, especially to close out the first half (scoring 28 points in the second quarter), and again in the fourth quarter (29 points in the fourth). In the end, the Spurs were too much for the Raptors, winning 102-95, and kept their home win streak alive, and set a new franchise record in the process:
39-0 at home this season.
48 straight regular season wins at home.
Franchise record 64 wins.The San Antonio Spurs. pic.twitter.com/G73o6X84Ja
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 3, 2016
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Notable Raptors stat lines:
Jonas Valanciunas – 16 points, six rebounds, two blocks
Norman Powell – 17 points, three rebounds, two assists
Cory Joseph – 16 points, seven assists
Terrence Ross – 13 points, two rebounds, two assists
Patrick Patterson – 12 points, seven rebounds, two steals
Delon Wright – 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, three steals
Notable Spurs stat lines:
Kawhi Leonard – 33 points*, six rebounds, seven assists*, three steals, one block (*New career high in points & tied career high for assists)
LaMarcus Aldridge – 31 points and 15 rebounds (25th double-double of the season)
Tim Duncan – Five points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, one steal
With 76 games played, the Toronto Raptors now have just six games remaining in the 2015-16 regular season; three at home and three on the road. Their next three opponents (Hornets, Hawks, Pacers) are currently all playoff teams, and their final three opponents, all fellow Atlantic Division teams, are on the outside looking in (Knicks, 76ers, Nets).
Postgame Reactions:
Delon Wright
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik9z8hVCboY]Cory Joseph
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=495hfRrA0xE]Dwane Casey
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