Without trembling, the Raptors began their season perfectly by winning 117-100 against the Bulls, promised one of the last places in the league. As in preseason, Toronto appeared under a much more seductive face with movement, passes and alternation in attack.Result, the two best players of the evening are Jonas Valanciunas and rookie C.J. Miles.
Even if it is the Bulls who open the mark, it is Toronto that strikes the first. And more specifically Valanciunas. At five meters, with the offensive rebound or back to the basket, the Lithuanian makes the song to Robin Lopez, and the Raptors stand out (11-4). But opposite, the Bulls are rather interesting. Lauri Markkanen has a nerve (and rubbish), and Justin Holiday is the new go-to-guy of the team. A screen, and bim, it shoots. And it's coming back. In his wake, Chicago clings, and after 12 minutes, Toronto leads only 25-23.
The problem is that in Chicago there is no bench. Between the wounded and the suspended, the G-League entered the scene, and the Raptors took advantage of it. It is C.J. Miles who will unlock the situation with his left leg. Even with one or two defenders on his back, he drew at 3-points, and it's coming back! A 3/3 long distance breaks, while OG Anunoby makes an amazing debut. Toronto went on a 22-2 to take the lead (47-25). The duo Lowry-DeRozan can then return to the field to maintain the gap, and follows a festival of lost balls on both sides. The ghost Quincy Pondexter takes the opportunity to pick up a crumb, which he transforms into dunk. Probably the most enjoyable image of the evening. At the break, the Raptors lead 58-37.
On the way back, Markkenen showed up and even scored five points in 10 seconds: a missed shot that he recovered the offensive rebound to score near the circle, then on the throw-in, he recovers a ball that drags and shoots first intent at 3 points. The gap fell below 20 points, and the Finn insisted with three shots (66-49). It has the gift of waking up Valanciunas who takes over his demolition business. The Raptors recover their game of passes, and alternation in attack. It pushes the Bulls to blame, and they crack. Kyle Lowry, then Serge Ibaka, returned 19 points, and Toronto kept their hands on the game. And when Chicago returns to -16 in the money time, it's Miles who comes out of his box to punish them. He again plays two 3-points in a row, and Toronto takes the lead again: 102-81.
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