Allowing 73 points in the first half has never been a guarantee of success in the NBA. The Toronto Raptors woke up late and fell 128-106 to the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on Wednesday.
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The City Queen team showed much more skill in the second half of the game, but could never overcome the mountain of 27 points built up in the first two quarters.
Pascal Siakam and Gary Trent Jr. appeared alone on their island during the duel. The former had 23 points, six rebounds and four assists while the latter had 35 points. No other player in Nick Nurse’s roster has reached fifteen points.
The Raptors had a few misses from the three-point line, with an efficiency rate (28.9%) that was significantly lower than the Pelicans (42.4%), but the game was mostly played around the rings. The hosts, led by Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas, grabbed 52 rebounds compared to just 30 for the visitors.
Williamson, the 2019 No. 1 overall, dominated with 33 points and 10 rebounds. Valanciunas (16 points, 13 rebounds) also hit the double-double while Trey Murphy III had 26 points.
Quebecers Chris Boucher and Khem Birch stayed calm in the loss, amassing six and two points respectively.
Sleeps without “SGA”
In Oklahoma City, Quebec’s Luguentz Dort shared offensive control of the Thunder with teammate Jalen Williams in the absence of team star Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and crowd favorite, who beat the San Antonio Spurs 119-111.
There scored 23 points, his team’s second-highest total, behind only Williams, who had 27. Josh Giddey was also successful in the win, with a 14-point double-double and as many rebounds.
Devin Vassell scored 25 points for the visitors’ goal, but in vain.