Photo by MattAzevedo.com
Raptors 905 (24-9) def. Canton Charge (18-15); 118-88 | Box Score
Assignees: Fred VanVleet, Bruno Caboclo (905). Jared Sullinger (905)
The Raptors 905 used a spectacular offensive performance that included 17 three-point hits at a 47.2% clip to halt the Canton Charge on Saturday night.
There was a terrific atmosphere at the Hershey Centre tonight, as one of the Toronto FC supporters’ groups (pretty sure it was The Inebriatti) made it out for the game, and deserve credit for chanting the 905 to victory.
Jared Sullinger opened the game with a face up at the top of the key and and spun around his defender, before dishing a pass to Edy Tavares for the finish. Sullinger then found a cutting Tavares again from the left block for the flush. Bruno Caboclo and Fred VanVleet then hit back-to-back triples to give the 905 an early 10-0 lead.
VanVleet then showed his chemistry with Edy Tavares, finding him on three consecutive possessions to give Tavares the easiest 10 points he’ll score in a quarter on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting. VanVleet was in a giving mood all night, finishing the game with 11 assists.
Yanick Moreira made his presence felt as well with a pair of offensive rebounds upon checking into the game and then a monster block on the other end. More on him later.
Brady Heslip Curry then checked into the game and knocked down two more three-pointers before Negus Webster-Chan joined in on tickling the nylon from deep with one of his own just before the quarter ended. Heslip finished with 18 for the game, ending his streak of consecutive 20 point games at four.
The 905 shot 65% in the quarter for a 33-16 lead after one.
They were able to keep up their offensive consistency in the second quarter, but struggled to keep the Charge quiet. John Holland scored 12 of his 22 points in the first half to help them outscore the 905 28-27 in the second quarter.
With the defence returning to form in the second half, the Charge just couldn’t live with the 905 on this night. They were outscored 58-44 by the 905 over the period, handing the season series to the 905 as well.
One thing I’ve taken notice of lately is Stackhouse’s willingness to use Bruno as an inbounder. This makes a lot of sense, as he’s not only got the height to see the floor, but also the length to negate any space the man guarding the inbounds tries to take away. On the downside, I’ve talked a bit about how Bruno does settle for the three a bit too much, and nine of his 15 attempts from the field came from behind the line tonight. He shot 26.6% from the field for the game.
I liked the way Sully played tonight. He could have come in and made this night about him and getting his game on track, but with the team executing so well offensively, he stayed true to the team’s cause and played a well-rounded floor game (no pun intended). He finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, and you wouldn’t expect a veteran looking to get reps to give up good looks so that his teammates can get great ones. Unlike his first D-League appearance where he attempted 19 shots and seven from long distance, he took 11 shots in this one; making both his long-range attempts. Everything he did was well within the flow of the offence.
All-Star to be, Tavares, had another big night with 16 points and 10 rebounds on eight field goal attempts, and really fed off the attention VanVleet and Sullinger attracted. Moreira is another big that had himself a night, feasting inside for 13 points and eight boards. He’s looked better on offence over the last two games, playing with more conviction on that end.
For those of you in Mississauga, the Raptors 905 only have five games left at the Hershey Centre, so now’s the time to get out there and catch a game.
Notes:
- Axel Toupane and Will Sheehey continue to sit with hamstring injuries.
- Negus Webster-Chan gave Stackhouse some good minutes tonight, and it’s been good to see Antwaine Wiggins and CJ Leslie start to string some notable performances together with consistent minutes.
- The 905 will next take on the Westchester Knicks at 7:30pm EST on Valentine’s Day (Tuesday).
- The game should feature two to three assignees for the 905 and if you wanted to go to the game – or any of the handful of remaining home games – you can go to this link and use the promo code REPUBLIC905 all season long, as the 905 are hooking RR readers up with discounted tickets (including for the Air Canada Centre game in March).
