Final Score: Agua Caliente Clippers 110 @ Raptors 905 93
905 Leading Scorer: Justin Anderson with 25 points
905 Starters: Paul Watson, Justin Anderson, Devin Robinson, Jawun Ewans, Tyler Ennis
905 2-Ways: Shamorie Ponds & Oshae Brissett
905 Assignees: None
Happy New year! Happy to start the year back at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre for some Raptors 905 basketball!
First quarter: 30-29 for the Clippers
The first quarter was fun, watching both the Clippers and the 90-5 get up and down the court. Following a bucket by Shamoire Ponds on the last possession, the 905 trailed by one, 30-29 after one. Anderson accounted for 12 of the 905's points, going 5-10 from the filed (1-5 from three).
Second quarter: 49-47 for the Clippers
The play of the second quarter may be a sequence where Devin Robinson blocked a shot and, while saving the ball from going out of bounds, threw a three quarter court pass on target to a streaking Anderson who subsequently rattled the rim with a powerful jam. While the both teams struggled offensively, a three by Ponds, once again, on the last possession of the quarter brought the 905 within 2 points of the Clippers. Anderson, who only played a minute and half during the quarter, was the 905's leading scorer with 14 points on 6-13 shooting (1-7 from three).
Third quarter: 78-68 for the Clippers
The 905 had their moments in the third quarter, even taking the lead for some small stretches. Alas, the wheels fell off as the quarter progressed and the 905 found them selves facing a 10 point deficit as the quarter came to a close. Anderson continued to lead the 905 in scoring with 18 points on 8-15 shooting (1-7 from three).
Fourth quarter: 110-93 for the Clippers
Yikes. It was a rough fourth quarter for the 905. Despite a never quite attitude, highlighted by Anderson hustling back to break-up an alley-op when the game was already decided, the 905 could not any consistency going on either end of the floor. Anderson finished as the 905 leading scorer with 25 points on 10-20 shooting (1-8 from three). "He wasn't going to let them get an easy lay-up and that's some character right there", said Coach Jama Mahlalela after the game, "That's what we need, that leadership and that composure and that fight and that grit. We have to play with that on our shoulders more, we have to play with a chip on our shoulders more often and he's a good example of that, but the other players have to jump on the bandwagon with him."
It's about how do we grow as professional basketball players. You have to watch the film, you have to watch the tape, you have to watch yourself to see how you did and where your errors were and where the areas you can better are.
- Coach Jama Mahlalela on responding to the tough second half