Originally posted February 12, 2018
There was a beautiful February sunset driving west from downtown up to the Hersey Centre this evening to watch the Raptors 905 take on the Maine Red Claws.
The start to the first quarter, not so beautiful. New Toronto Raptor Malachi Richardson missed his first three shots and Lorenzo Brown left the game with an ankle sprain after playing less than 5 minutes. The 905 trailed Maine 12-9 earlier but righted the shit, behind 7 first quarter points by Kethan Savage, to trail by one at the end of the first quarter, 24-23.
The second quarter, while uninspiring at times, went a little better for the 905 who flipped the script to lead the Red Claws by one (49-48) at the half with Savage still the top 905 scorer with 10 points.
The third quarter was another grind as the 905 survived a three point barrage from Anthony Bennett to maintain a 2 point lead (74-72) with Alfonzo McKinnie scoring seven points in the quarter.
The Red Claws got off to a quick start to the fourth quarter opening up a 81-76 lead. Following a timeout by Coach Stackhouse, Kaza Keane hit a 3 and the 905 reeled off 10 straight points to take an 86-81 lead. The Red Claws fought back to take a 91-88 lead. Not to be outdone, the determined 905 responded with some stellar defence and, behind some big buckets by McKinnie, took a 100-94 lead with a minute to play. Finally, an emphatic put-back dunk by McKinnie with 32 second to play put the 905 up by 8 sealed the win for the good guys.
Following the Spurs in the 6 "3on3" format for NBA G-League game recaps this season, here's my take on what happened both "on the court" and "off the court" (with a bonus video of McKinnie's dunk).
On the court
Bye bye Bruno: Tonight was the first 905 game with Bruno Caboclo and, although it pains me to admit it, he was missed.
Welcome to the six: Richardson, on assignment from the Toronto Raptors, made his first appearance for the 905. Perhaps not surprising, he got off to a slow start missing his first 5 shots. Richardson hit two in a row to end the second quarter which helped the 905 to the lead at the half and finished the game with 8 points in 18 minutes.
Oh no Canada: Anthony Bennett has gone from first overall pick to starting centre in the G-League and has apparently fallen in love with the three point shot. Bennet shot 8-22 for the game which included 6-15 from three. Fifteen 3 point shots for your starting centre... yikes!
Off the court
Boomshakalaka: During second quarter timeout the 905 game ops gave a shout out to Aaron Best who will be competing in the G League Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend. Congrats and good luck Aaron!
The Hurricane: You know those big head cut outs that often show up at sports areas. Well the 905 game ops has what may be one of the most unique ones - former long time Mississauga mayor Hazel Mccallion.
No Monday blues: With a Monday evening tip-off I was expecting to see a small crowd at the Hersey Centre. The 1,780 fans in attendance made a lot of noise and was a decent sized crowd for a Monday game in the middle of February.
Post Game Quote
That's a kid who has worked his but off from the time we were in workouts this summer, to training camp, to right now today, just continuing to try to do everything he can to do better.
Coach Stackhouse on Aaron Best following a question of who would win a dunk contest between him and Best
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