Toronto Raptors Open the Season With an OT Win Against the Pelicans, 130-122

In the opening game of the 2019/20 season, the Toronto Raptors have defeated the New Orleans Pelicans with 130-122. The reigning chams had to work hard in order to reach this victory, and the spectators at the Scotiabank Arena saw overtime. Luckily for them, the Raptors had more composure and focus, thus becoming the first winner of the campaign.

New Orleans was handicapped, playing without the No.1 pick Zion Williamson and Jaxson Hayes, who are dominant in the paint.

The two guys who led the hosts to a triumph were Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam, both with 34 points. The NBA’s Most Improved Player added 18 boards to that showing that he definitely has the potential to become one of the league’s top superstars. More importantly, he has everything that takes to replace Kawhi Leonard as the leader of this franchise.

“We had to go to him time and time again there for stretches,” Nick Nurse said. “He produced. He was great.”

Many believe that Kawhi’s departure will most definitely hurt the Raptors’ chances for further success. However, the Pelicans coach, Alvin Gentry, had one interesting observation after the game when talking about the Claw’s influence on Toronto.

“Bryce Harper is gone, too, but where are the Nationals?” Gentry reminded about Washington’s World Series baseball team. “I wouldn’t count these guys out just yet.”

With Siakam in this mode, it wouldn’t be a surprise for the Canadian team to once again go deep into the postseason. The slim forward had to go out with one minute to go in the regulations, but once he went out, the other guys stepped in and restrained the Pelicans who scored just five points in overtime. Toronto’s 8-0 run closed the game with Kyle Lowry and VanVleet sealing the victory with two three-pointers.

Both sides had a chance to win in the regular part of the contest. The guests played on Jrue Holiday, but one of the best guards last year couldn’t ditch OG Anunoby, who played fantastic defense on him. Holiday made the shot, but it was inaccurate, and the ball was grabbed by Norman Powell, who then tried a ling three but was off the mark.

Throughout the entire contest, the teams were pretty much close, and the biggest differences were +8 for the Raptors, and +11 for the Pelicans, but that was early on in the first period. Gentry’s team did play better in the opening half, but the hosts bounced back in the latter part of the event. New Orleans’ lead at the halftime was mostly because of Brandon Ingram with 12, and JJ Redick with 11 points in those moments.

Eventually, Ingram would end the game with 22 points, 5 boards, and assists each, while Reddick had 16, shooting threes 4 of 6. Holiday had 12, but making just one three in 6 attempts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMTlKpnFd0U

Josh Hart was excellent off the bench with 15 points and 10 boards in just 28 minutes, but he couldn’t make any notable difference. The absence of Zion Williamson was apparent, as the Pelicans struggled to score under the basket and around the paint. Above all, Jaxson Hayes didn’t play, meaning that the Pelicans had a huge handicap.

In the end, that was seen through the statistics, with the Raptors scoring 56 points from the paint, and the Pelicans just 38. Also, the hosts had 57 boards, while New Orleans posted 53.

Among the home team, Kyle Lowry was superb support to VanVleet and Siakam with 22 points, 6 assists, and 5 boards, all that in 45 minutes. Lowry was 11 for 13 from the free-throw line, and was forcing the Pelicans to make fouls constantly. Serge Ibaka added 15 buckets, and Anunoby 11.

Up next, the champions are heading for Boston to meet with the Celtics this Friday, while New Orleans plays its first game at home against the Mavericks on the same day.