Canada Sports News

One of the best defenses in the league was blown into pieces in the first half of the Jazz vs. Raptors game at Scotiabank Arena. And not only that, their offense was completely annihilated, as the hosts led 77-37, setting the biggest ever lead of the Canadian franchise at the break.

It was the seventh straight win for the Raptors, who are looking very good at the moment and are slowly closing down the Milwaukee Bucks and the No.1 seed in the East. Head coach Nick Nurse was delighted with the way his team played.

“We really did want to get out there and play with some pace . . . but creating all those turnovers and getting out and running is, jeez, any time that’s going to be good offense,” Nurse said.

The Raptors made a 30-5 run midway through the first period, to close that sequence with 37-20 lead. And when the majority of the spectators believed that it couldn’t be better for the hosts, they proved them wrong. Toronto outscored the guests from Salt Lake City 40-17 in the second 12 minutes, keeping them without a basket for six minutes at on point.

“This is a team we know is playing at a championship level. We didn’t match their energy at all. It just was kind of a snowball effect and everybody got down,” Mike Conley said. “They’re tough, they’re really tough. They just play so well together.”

Utah responded in the third period, scoring remarkable 49 points, and hitting 16 of their opening 19 shots. They would cut the deficit to just 16 points, but they couldn’t make a miracle and a complete comeback. The distance created in the first half was simply too big.

Pascal Siakam had 35 points in this one with 5 boards and assists, shooting 14 of 22, threes 5 of 9. It was a perfect response following his poor performance against the Orlando Magic. Back on Friday, the 2019 MIP, had just 10 points, making 4 of his 22 shooting attempts.

“Coming into the next game, as a competitor, you always have that mentality to get back to it. You want to get on the floor. I wanted to play yesterday. That’s how bad I wanted it,” said Siakam.

The Raptors had seven more players with a double-digit number of points. Fred VanVlet added another double-double to his account with 21 points and 11 assists, with high shooting percentages. Toronto’s point guard made five of his seven downtown shots, six of ten in general.

Norman Powell had 15, adding 4 steals, Serge Ibaka, and Terence Davis 13 each, while Marc Gasol scored 11 with 6 assists and 5 boards. Anynoby contributed with 10.

Mike Conley had 20 for the Jazz, Jeff Green 19 off the bench, and Rudy Gober 12 with 11 boards.

The Raptors (15-4) have 10 games in December at home, and that is something which could easily bring then the first place in the East. The next two are against the Miami Heat on Tuesday and the Houston Rockets on Thursday, both at Scotiabank Arena.

The Jazz (12-8) have one more game before concluding a five-match road trip and come back home to Salt Lake. It is against the 76ers in Philly already on Monday.