First meetings, opposing sides: Spurs endure Raptors rally, 95-90.

The future remains rocky for Pascal Siakam's Raptors...

Fresh off a career-high performance, having established his name on Spurs all-time records, Brandon Ingram sat out this otherwise tense encounter between past NBA Finals opponents, sans DeMarr DeRozan (now with the Orlando Magic).

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.

Ingram erupts for career-high 63 points, spearheads win over Bulls, 106-97.

Tonight's game became a new career-high for B.I.

The Slender-Man showcased his long-limbed prowess en route to a new career-high 63 points, to the applause of even Bulls fans in attendance at the United Center in Chicago. Ingram's points tally ties George Gervin's feat for second-highest total points scored by a Spurs player, taking his place at three points above Kawhi Leonard's 60 points against the OKC Thunder four seasons ago.

Meanwhile, R.J. Hampton (7 points, 6 assists, 3-11, 5 turnovers) struggled to be effective as the Bulls lost again, staying uncomfortably low in the Eastern Conference standings despite the acquisition of Buddy Hield (8pts, 4-11, 0-3 3PT).

Ingram, however, made 26 field goals--tying Spurs legend, the Admiral, David Robinson, grabbing 9 rebounds in essentially a virtuoso solo star act, as Drummond & Murray sat this one out. Rajon Rondo skillfully dished 10 assists.

"He's become a tremendous scorer for us," Coach Popovich said post-game. Ingram notched the big 5-0 midway through the 4th Quarter, and were it not for resting the other star players, Pop may have pulled him out for modesty's sake, but the Spurs found themselves in a nervously-close game, powering through courtesy of Ingram's stellar success down the stretch. Ingram's sensational scoring display tonight shot his PPG total up to 23ppg, as the season is still in the early stages, but the Duke forward is beginning to perhaps separate himself from Dejounte Murray (13.7ppg, albeit +6% compared to last year's 3-PT success) as the #1 option on this team.

In defeat, Lauri Markannen had a solid 30 points & 7 rebounds for the Bulls as the Spurs pulled away in the final two minutes. #12 pick, Tyrese Maxey, scored 16 points. Wendell Carter, Jr. had 11 points, 13 rebounds. Also for the Spurs, Johnathan Williams had a nice showing with 11 points & 7 rebounds. Jarrett Allen had 7 points, 9 rebounds.