The Toronto Raptors are in a rebuilding section for his or her franchise and are providing increasingly alternatives to their younger gamers. With RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl out of the lineup, the Raptors opted for a small-ball lineup and began rookies Jonathan Mogbo and Ja’Kobe Walter together with Scottie Barnes, Gradey Dick and Ochai Agbaji in opposition to the Houston Rockets on Sunday night time. The Raptors acquired off to a superb begin and gave the Rockets a scare regardless of dropping 114-110. It was an encouraging recreation for Toronto’s decision-makers with their 4 rookies totaling 52 factors and making 10 of the groups’ 17 three-pointers.
The recent hand of the night time, Ja’Kobe Walter was a part of a doubtlessly elite scoring winger. The 20-year-old from Baylor scored 27 factors on environment friendly 9-of-18 taking pictures whereas pulling down six threes. The primary-round decide led the Raptors in scoring and hit well timed baskets in an in depth recreation in opposition to one of many NBA’s elite groups.
Jamal Shead had one other large recreation with extra minutes after a formidable fourth quarter in opposition to the Chicago Bulls on December 16. The 6-foot-1 level guard from Houston had 11 factors, 10 assists, six rebounds, two steals and one block in 33 minutes off the bench. Shead constantly makes robust, game-winning performs that make him tough to protect off the sphere.
Undrafted ahead out of Ohio State, Jamison Battle has turn out to be a daily within the Raptors’ rotation regardless of having to earn his spot since coaching camp. Battle scored 11 factors and grabbed 4 rebounds whereas pulling down 3 of 5 three-pointers in simply 17 minutes. The 6-foot-7 sharpshooter is extraordinarily precious as a consequence of his three-point accuracy (44.2%) and excessive IQ. The battle will proceed to be an necessary component for Toronto off the bench.
The opposite beginning rookie of the night, Jonathan Mogbo produced a disappointing efficiency with three factors, three rebounds, an help and a block in 16 minutes. Regardless of this matchup, Mogbo is a key piece for the Raptors together with his versatility on each side of the ball and will likely be an necessary participant for them to develop sooner or later.
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