With the 2016 NBA Playoffs starting this coming weekend, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, Luis Scola, Jonas Valanciunas, DeMarre Carroll, and James Johnson all received the game off for rest. Bruno Caboclo (SF), Jason Thompson (PF), Lucas Nogueira (C), Norman Powell (SG), and Delon Wright (PG) were named the Raptors starters for the game vs. the Nets, the final NBA regular season game for both teams.
With a brand new starting five for the Toronto Raptors, understandably it would take some time for them to find their groove. The Nets got off to a strong start scoring 26 points in the first quarter, and holding the Raptors to just 16 points. The Raptors returned the favour in the second quarter, outscoring the Nets 33-21 in the frame to take a 49-47 lead at halftime. The Raptors kept the pressure on in the third quarter, scoring 29 points while the Nets managed only 19 in the third. The Raptors also outscored the Nets in the fourth, 30-25, and as a result won the game 103-96.
Norman Powell set another new career high in points, as he scored a game high 30 points. Powell has made the absolute most of his opportunities to start down the stretch this season. This is not only fantastic for his confidence as a player, but for the depth of the Raptors as a team. especially heading into the postseason and for the future.
Caboclo had a tough shooting night from the field, going just 1-9 for 3 points, but he did log a career high 36 minutes played. Caboclo is a player the Raptors are continuing to develop, receiving regular time with the NBA D-League’s Raptors 905 team, and getting late season minutes or time in the NBA during lopsided scoring Raptors games.
The Toronto Raptors finished the 2015-16 regular season with a record of 56-26, a new single season best for the Raptors’ franchise, eclipsing their previous best 49 wins, set last season (2014-15).
The 2016 NBA Playoffs kick off on Saturday April 16th as the #2 Raptors will face the #7 Indiana Pacers at the Air Canada Centre. Tip off for Game One of the series at the Air Canada Centre will be 12:30pm ET.
Notable Raptors stat lines:
Jason Thompson – 12 points, eight rebounds, one block
Lucas ‘Bebe’ Nogueira – Six points, ten rebounds, three assists, one steal, three blocks
Norman Powell – 30 points (12-18 shooting, 5-6 from three), nine rebounds, five assists, one steal
Delon Wright – 18 points, five rebounds, seven assists, two blocks
Terrence Ross – 24 points, ten rebounds, two assists, one block (Ross’ first double-double of the season)
Notable Nets stat lines:
Bojan Bogdanovic – 29 points (10-17 shooting, 7-10 from three), six rebounds, two assists, one steal
Henry Sims – Ten points, seven rebounds, three blocks
Sean Kilpatrick – 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, one steal
Donald Sloan – 11 points, 10 assists, three rebounds
Postgame Reactions:
Cory Joseph
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXzxziZEUb4]Norman Powell
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7PbtP1W2pI]Dwane Casey
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