Photo by MattAzevedo.com
Raptors 905 (22-7) def. Canton Charge (16-12); 93-86 | Box Score
Assignees: Bruno Caboclo (905), None (Charge)
Brady Heslip and Bruno Caboclo scored 20 of their 38 points in the first quarter to lead the Raptors 905 to a 93-86 victory over the Canton Charge.
The 905 started the game red-hot from the outside, hitting their first three attempts, and 8-of-13 in the quarter. For those that have been watching the 905 consistently, your guess that the game started with a Bruno corner three is spot on. Sorry, no prizes for that one.
Bruno’s confidence is as high as I’ve ever seen it. I don’t know if three different hairstyles in three different games means anything, but as long as he keeps playing like this, the organization should be thrilled.
Heslip was in the zone in the first quarter, as one might suspect with four triples and four assists in the quarter. I mentioned that my only concern with Sullinger entering the mix for the 905 in their previous game was that it may throw them off the terrific offensive rhythm they’ve had through their win streak. Suffice to say, it didn’t. The ball was zipping around to the tune of 12 assists on 15 made field goals. Those are some Golden State numbers.
On the other side of the floor, the 905 limited the Charge to just 1-of-5 shooting from deep in the quarter, and just 7-of-26 for the game. Edy Tavares was his usual intimidating self, blocking seven shots in the game. He makes defending so much easier for his teammates around him, and with the exception of Quinn Cook, the Charge shot 33.9% for the game.
E.J. Singler and John Jordan both continued their solid play, and as with Bruno’s confidence, you can see the confidence just oozing from these players now. Both players are on a string when it comes to understanding when and where the offence will come from.
Antwaine Wiggins deserves some major props for tonight, stepping up in a big way to his starting role with 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists, making six of his eight field goal attempts. He was active on both ends, and provided the perfect compliment to the team’s three-point assault with his slashes to the rim.
One anomaly tonight was how well Axel Toupane was defended, with most of his pull-ups coming with a hand in his face. He couldn’t pull of his usual euro step with fluidity either, but this was a good night to not be at the top of his game.
The 905 could not have started this four-game road trip off on a better note, where they are now 11-0 on the season. Their D-League record road win streak now stands at a sweet 16, and with the way they’re playing, opponents will be hard pressed to end it.
Don’t let the final score fool you, the Charge made an insignificant run with the game well in hand, although it did force some minutes from Stackhouse’s go-to guys to make sure things didn’t get too out of hand.
While the parent club continues to search for their early season mojo, the 905 keep going from strength to strength are well deserving of their place atop the Eastern Conference.
Notes:
- Kyle Lowry for prime minister.
- Will Sheehey and Negus Webster-Chan had the night off tonight.
- CJ Leslie played just six minutes, and failed to attempt a shot.
- In case you missed it earlier, Jerry Stackhouse and his staff will coach the East in the D-League All-Star game after the 905 secured the No.1 seed for the required period.
- The 905 will return to action on Feb. 4 against the Grand Rapids Drive. Tip-off at 7:00p.m. EST.
