The NBA champions, Toronto Raptors, defeated the New Orleans Pelicans in the opening game of this season. The Raptors were better after overtime, 130-122, starting the season in the best possible way.
It was a tough match for Nick Nurse’s guys, who eventually managed to squeeze out a triumph, although constantly trailing during the first half. The reason for that might be the ring ceremony, during which the players received the biggest championship rings ever.
“After the ring (ceremony), we got to celebrate with our fans one last time,” said Raptors center. “We got the win. It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t pretty, but we pulled it off.”
But, the hosts caught up the rhythm and led by the fantastic Pascal Siakam reached up the rivals. The Most Improved Player of the previous season was harassing the Pelicans, scoring 34 points, and posting 18 boards. In the critical moments during the finish, Siakam scored several big-time points.
“We had to go to him time and time again there for stretches,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. “He produced. He was great.”
When he fouled out 59.2 seconds before the end of the regulations, the fans at the Scotiabank Arena were frightened, but it turned out that there was no reason for that. Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry kept everything under control.
VanVleet had a career-high 34 points, and along with Lowry, he brought down the Pelicans in the overtime. An 8-0 run, which closed this contest, was entirely made by these two guards. Both hit once from downtown to finally break the defiant guests.
“Pascal and Freddy, they are the young core, they are the guys who will carry this thing on,” Raptors guard Kyle Lowry said. “I’m so happy for those guys to go out and perform like tonight. We’ll see them grow all year.”
New Orleans played without Zion Williamson, due to his knee surgery. The No.1 pick’s absence was obvious, as the paint looked a bit empty for the Pelicans. Also, Alvin Gentry’s team couldn’t count on rookie center Jaxson Hayes, and eventually Nurse recognized that, and exploited it the whole night. In the end, the Raptors had 56 points from the paint, compared to 38 by the guests from Louisiana.
They opened the match very well, and had a 61-56 lead at the halftime, but couldn’t keep the same pace throughout the game. Brandon Ingram with 22 points and 5 boards and assists each was the best player of the Pelicans. JJ Reddick scored 16, hitting 4 shots outside the three-point line, while Jrue Holiday had 13.
Josh Hart delivered 15 off the bench and also grabbed 10 boards.
Among the home team, besides the above-mentioned duo, Kyle Lowry dropped 22 points, and had 6 assists and 5 rebounds. He was 11 of 13 from the free-throw line, and forced his guards to make numerous fouls, thus pushing New Orleans in bonus. Raptors now have a big game coming up this Friday, as they face the Boston Celtics on the road. Meanwhile, the Pelicans head back home and await the Dallas Mavericks and the reigning Rookie of the Year, Luka Doncic.
