Toronto Raptors fans didn’t give Goran Dragic a warm welcome and the Canadian squad took on the Brooklyn Nets, winning 109-108 on Tuesday.
Dragic had been secured in the trade that sent Kyle Lowry to the Miami Heat. The 35-year-old point guard, however, only played five games with the Raptors. He then stayed away from the team for personal reasons. Eventually, the organization decided to trade him to the San Antonio Spurs who bought out his contract. He then joined the Nets.
Back at Scotiabank Arena, Dragic heard the crowd booing as he entered the game and touched the ball. He ended his evening with 10 points in 15 minutes of play. The Nets were still without the services of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and their latest acquisition Ben Simmons. However, they offered a hot fight to the Raptors who had crushed them 133 to 97 on Monday.
The Raptors defense rose in the fourth quarter allowing just 19 points to their rivals. A streak of nine straight points including a superb field goal from Scottie Barnes put the Torontonians in the lead for good. Barns finished the night with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Without Fred VanVleet, the Raptors bet on Gary Trent Jr. who had 24 points. Pascal Siakam recorded 18 points and eight rebounds.
The Curry band takes a 2nd loss in a row
The Golden State Warriors, weighed down by absences, weakened their second place in the West a little more, with a defeat in Minnesota.
Two days after their embarrassing loss to Dallas, squandering a 21-point lead, they never gave the impression of being able to dominate the Timberwolves, who accelerated in the last quarter to win, 129-114.
Warriors 114 – Timberwolves 129
In the absence of Klay Thompson (sick) and Draymond Green (back), Golden State lacked deterrence in defense and this was seen by the number of points conceded and the opposing success percentage (52.8% ), Karl-Anthony Towns taking full advantage (39 pts).
Stephen Curry did what he could and rather well (34 pts), but without preventing the Californians from conceding a second consecutive loss, which reduced his lead over the Grizzlies (3rd) of the phenomenon Ja Morant.
Elsewhere in the NBA :
Mavericks 109 – Lakers 104
Mavericks 109 – Lakers 104
DAL: Luca Doncic had 25 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists
LAL: LeBron James had 26 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists
Hawks 98 – Celtics 107
ATL: Jerami Grant got 26 points
BOS: Kyle Kuzma had 21 points and nine rebounds
Pistons 113 – Wizards 116
DET: Jerami Grant recorded 26 points
WAS: evening of 21 points and 9 rebounds from Kyle Kuzma
Clippers 113 – Rockets 100
LAC: Ivica Zubac had 22 points and 12 rebounds
HOU: Jalen Green totaled 20 points
