The Toronto Raptors shocked the basketball world on Thursday as they blew out the defending Eastern Conference champions, Cleveland Cavaliers, by 34 points. Led by seven players finishing in double figures, the home team controlled the pace for almost the entire game, providing their starters an early finish to their night in the fourth quarter.
With 76 total points from their bench players, the Raptors were able to complete the 133-99 win. However, they may also need to thank Vernon Maxwell for lighting a fire underneath them.
“They need a better bench. When the guy [Kyle]Lowry come off the floor and [DeMar] DeRozan comes off the floor, I mean who’s gonna give you something now?”
Fred VanVleet led the reserves’ charge as he top scored for the team on the night with 22 points, six 3-pointers, four rebounds, and four assists. Paskal Siakam, Jakob Poeltl, and Norman Powell all played very well, which definitely made it easier for the Raptors to blow their opponents out.
While Kevin Garnett made some valid points that the Raptors have failed to translate their regular season success to the playoffs, that may not be the case this year. Toronto is looking ready to prove that they are serious title contenders, and that their doubters are wrong for they have learned from their experiences over the past couple of seasons.
Until the playoffs start though, the doubts will still be there and it will be up to the Raptors to show that they are for real and are indeed a force to be reckoned with.
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