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| The future remains rocky for Pascal Siakam's Raptors... |
With the #1 seed firmly in control, the Spurs can afford to rotate rest for their trio of star players in Ingram, Murray & Drummond, especially when the new players (VanVleet, Bazemore, Lyles, Rondo) this year have already shown the ability to handle its business on the hardwood. Moreover, R.C. Buford's handiwork this summer has definitely eased collective front office and Spurs fan-base stress levels compared to last season, as it's looking more likely than not for San Antonio to have the league's best record over last season's titans, Lakers and 76ers.
The first quarter turned ugly quickly for the Toronto Raptors, fresh off giving Pascal Siakam a huge contract extension, as the Spurs easily went up 11-0 and Jarrett Allen literally yanked the ball down from Siakam's hands mid-jumpshot. Avery Bradley seemingly in anger and clearly with competitive fire wasted zero time in firing from the perimeter against the team that traded him away, but it became evident that he still needs improvement from beyond the arc, going 0-3 in vain.
Another ex-Spur, Derrick White, sparked the home defense for the Raptors as did the constant fan favorite, Kyle Lowry, crashing a dunk through the rim and showing why it remains uncertain whether trading away the hybrid guard prospect was a wise choice. VanVleet scored 10 points, with 6 assists for his new Texas squad. Wes Iwundu looked good, scoring 8 points and two threes. P.J. Tucker had 7, as did Rondo and Luka Samanic. Both teams shot under 50%. Siakam had just 6 points, with 10 rebounds, not shooting well. Lowry finished with 18 points & 13 assists. White had 13 with 5 dimes. Mason Plumlee hit a 3PTer for 12 points, 8 rebounds and Norman Powell had 11 points. Bradley went an awful 4-15 (1-7 3PT) to finish with just 9 points.
Lowry eventually heated up, hitting a clutch 3PTer to keep the Raptors within a single point. The Spurs lead toppled twice, after an alley-oop stuff by Siakam courtesy of Lowry. But a clutch pass by Murray (16 points, 6 assists) to Allen (14 points, 16 rebounds, 5 blocks) for the sweet dunk kept the lead at bay after Lowry missed a would-be 2-PT lead opportunity in the corner. An exciting finish in the books, the Spurs next face the surging Hawks.
