Everyone knows the Toronto Raptors are the defending NBA champions, but were not expected to contend for a title in 2019-20 with Kawhi Leonard deciding to join the Los Angeles Clippers. Furthermore, this was supposed to be a massively tough stretch for the Purple Dinosaurs with star point guard Kyle Lowry out with a broken thumb and Serge Ibaka out with a badly sprained ankle.
On Sunday, the Raptors came through and delivered what could be one of the most impressive regular season wins in the history of the franchise. Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet each had double doubles as the Raptors beat the Los Angeles Lakers 113-104.
Siakam led the Raptors with 24 points and 11 rebounds. VanVleet led the Raptors with 10 assists and also reached the 20 point plateau as he had 23 points.
Four other Raptors reached double digits in points. Chris Boucher had 15 points, Norman Powell had 14 points, Terence Davis scored 13 points and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 10 points. Both Davis and Hollis-Jefferson were signed by the Raptors in the offseason. Davis was an undrafted rookie and Hollis-Jefferson was signed from the Brooklyn Nets, after not receiving a qualifying offer by Brooklyn.
There has been deep concern by those following the Raptors that they are not deep enough to contend. That sentiment is probably true, but was not on display Sunday night against a prolific opponent that had not lost since opening night. The Lakers now have Anthony Davis to complement LeBron James, and were expected to have no problem with a shorthanded Raptors lineup in the comfortable setting at Staples Center.
Raptors head coach Nick Nurse also needs to be highly praised. Nurse won his first career coach’s challenge in the game against the Lakers, and in one of the most lighter moments of the NBA season, received hugs from players on the Raptors bench after a foul by Siakam on James was initially called and overturned. Nurse’s challenge also seemed to give the Raptors significant momentum.
With the win, the Raptors improved to 7-2, but still have a tough stretch ahead of them. On Monday, they play Leonard and the Clippers. That will be followed by road games against the always tough Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday and the much improved Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.
