Canada Sports News

The Toronto Raptors blew an 18-point lead last night against the San Antonio Spurs, losing what was already a won game.  The final result was 105-104 for Gregg Popovich and his boys, with the former Raptor, DeMar DeRozan demolishing the hosts in the second half.

DD scored 22 of his 25 points after the break, and was showing that he still feels comfortable at the Scotiabank Arena, although being away for more than yer and a half now.

Before the game, the home team prepared a tribute video to their legend. Although he already had one last season, the fans responded euphorically as it was his first visit here.

“I don’t know anybody who gets two tributes in a row. Find somebody else,” DeRozan stated. “It’s amazing to be able to get that much recognition. It never gets old.”

The long-awaited comeback of Pascal Siakam and Norman Powell cheered up the Raptors’ fans, but unfortunately, it didn’t bring positive results against Spurs.

Siakam was a bit rusty, with 15 points in 30 minutes, and 6-for-17 shooting from the field. He would add five boards and four assists to this along with four fouls.

“I feel like I kind of lost my rhythm a little bit,” Siakam said on his second half. “I wasn’t able to get back into it. It’s just going to take a little bit, I’m sure. . . I felt I could have been way more aggressive.”

The Most Improved Player of the previous season had a chance to win the game with a long-distance hit in the closing seconds, but his attempt was inaccurate.

Powell scored 20 points, and was better in the offense than his teammate, 8 for 14. Kyle Lowry had a big double-double with 16 points and 15 assists, although whooting 4 for 12 behind the arc.

The best player in the Raptors’ team was Serge Ibaka, who posted 21 buckets and 14 rebounds. However, what was really odd was the fact that the home crew had just 11 free-throw attempts, which is under the average they post each night. Lowry knew what was wrong and why his team didn’t have more shots from the foul-stripe.

“We stopped being aggressive. We stopped being assertive. They got more aggressive. They got faster, and we missed shots too.”

The finish at the Scotiabank Arena was very exciting. It saw a couple of three-pointers on both sides that proceeded DeRozan’s two free-throw hits, and Lowry’s downtown basket, which eventually set the final result.

LaMarcus Aldridge missed his shot in the next attack, opening up the possibility for a quick one on the other side of the court. Unfortunately for the hosts, that didn’t happen.

Aldridge ended the night with 11 points; Rudy Gay had 15, Derrick White 13.

Up next, the Spurs (17-21) head to Florida to meet the Miami Heat and, after that, host the Atlanta Hawks. The Raptors (25-14) will jump to Oklahoma to face the Thunder this Wednesday, followed by a home game versus the Wizards on Friday.