The Toronto Raptors hit the court for their second scrimmage game in Orlando ahead of the season restart at the Walt Disney World Resort. Serge Ibaka led the way with 19 points, while Pascal Siakam added 18 as they edged the Portland Trail Blazers 110-104.
With the seeding games tipping off later this week, the defending champs are healthy and primed to make a run in the Eastern Conference.
Here are some quick observations from the game...
1. Ibaka and Siakam hold it down
The Raptors' forward combo of Serge Ibaka and Pascal Siakam stood out from the starting group, combining 37 points and 12 rebounds, stretching the team's offence as they both knocked down three 3-pointers each.
A fired up Ibaka got into it with Jusuf Nurkic in the second quarter, with the pair exchanging words. It might just be a scrimmage, but the players aren't taking things lightly.
Serge Ibaka and Jusuf Nurkic got into it a little after this play. pic.twitter.com/hSwwogo0Vr
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 26, 2020
2. Three-point delight
The Raptors have been one of the best 3-point shooting teams this season and they weren't afraid to let it fly against the Blazers, going 17-of-44 from deep, with five different players hitting at least three triples, led by Terence Davis and Matt Thomas with four apiece.
🗣️ PULL UP ON 'EM pic.twitter.com/YqjXLgvKDk
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 26, 2020
3. Raptors depth on display
The Raptors were one of the most injury-hit teams this season, but with their roster nearly back to full strength, their deep rotation will give opposing teams plenty of headaches.
Their bench accounted for 57 of their 110 points, with OG Anunoby impressing with his energy on both sides of the floor!
Do your thing, G pic.twitter.com/6K3AIJQsDl
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 26, 2020
4. VanVleet goes down
The Raptors will be taking a cautious approach with Fred VanVleet, who exited today's game in the first quarter with a 'banged' left knee.
The good news is, the injury doesn't appear to be serious, with coach Nick Nurse saying post-game that his exit was more of a precaution, with the seeding games just around the corner.
Nick Nurse says he doesn't think Fred VanVleet's knee-knock was too bad but no sense trying to play through it in a scrimmage.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) July 27, 2020
5. Third-quarter flurry
After trailing 54-49 at the half, the Raptors seized control of the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Blazers 38-21, clamping down on the defensive end.
Kyle Lowry and Terence Davis hit back-to-back threes late in the period to extend the lead to 80-67, giving them a comfortable cushion heading into the fourth.
6. Marc Gasol returns
Gasol made his bubble debut after missing the Raptors' first scrimmage.
He missed 28 games prior to the season hiatus with a nagging hamstring injury, but with his new-look slimmed-down frame, the 35-year-old looked healthy in his first outing, recording three points and four rebounds in limited minutes.
7. Next up
The Raptors will wrap up their scrimmage schedule on Tuesday when they take on the Phoenix Suns.
The game will start at 3:00 p.m. ET and will air on Sportsnet.
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