Game Thread 2023-24 GAME #4 - BLAZERS @ RAPTORS - MONDAY - OCTOBER 30, 2023 - 4:30 PM PST - ROOT

RAPTORS NOTES:

• The Toronto Raptors dropped a 99-91 decision Monday night to the visiting Portland Trail Blazers … Toronto will complete this three-game homestand (Oct. 28 – Nov. 1) Wednesday evening against the Milwaukee Bucks, before heading out on a four-game road trip (Nov. 2-11).
• Scottie Barnes recorded 20 points, a team-high 12 rebounds, and added two assists and two steals in 37 minutes … Tonight Barnes matched a career high with his third straight 20-point performance (last: Jan. 12-16, 2023), it was also his 14th career 20-point double-double … The only Raptor to record more 20-point double-doubles at Barnes’ age (22 years 90 days) is Chris Bosh.
• Jakob Poeltl posted his first double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds in 28 minutes … Tonight marked the first time that both Poeltl and Barnes have tallied a double-double in the same game for Toronto.
• Pascal Siakam scored a season-high 20 points and added six rebounds, three assists and one steal in 35 minutes … This marked his eighth straight 20-point performance against Portland, dating back to Nov. 13, 2019.
• Dennis Schröder led the Raptors in assists for the fourth straight game (Oct. 25-30), tallying eight on the evening … Schröder has dished out seven-or-more assists in each of his first four games with Toronto, joining Mark Jackson as the only players in franchise history to achieve this.

TRAIL BLAZERS NOTES:

• The Portland Trail Blazers earned their first win of the 2023-24 NBA season on Monday night in Toronto … Portland will travel to Detroit to complete this three-game road trip (Oct. 29-Nov. 1) ahead their two-game homestead against the Grizzlies (Nov. 3-5).
• Deandre Ayton scored 10 points (5-9 FG) and collected a career-high 23 rebounds in 32 minutes … Ayton has now recorded seven double-doubles in 11 career games against the Raptors … He averaged a double-double for the fifth consecutive season last year and ranked 10th in the NBA in rebounds per game (10.0).
• Jerami Grant recorded a game-high 22 points, six rebounds, one block and one steal in 37 minutes … He has scored 20-or-more points in five of his last seven games (Mar. 17, 2021 - Oct. 30, 2023) against the Raptors averaging 20.3 points in that span.
• London, Ontario’s Shaedon Sharpe recorded 14 points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in game-high 38 minutes of action … Sharpe has scored in double figures in the first four games of the season (Oct. 25-30) averaging 18.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 35.9 minutes in that span.
• Malcolm Brogdon scored 21 of Portland’s 33 bench points and has now scored in double figures in the first four games of the season (Oct. 25-30) as a reserve averaging a team-high 19.3 points …. Brogdon was named the 2023 KIA NBA Sixth Man of the Year.

 

DeAndre Ayton collected a career-high 23 rebounds tonight … Ayton is the first player since Dwight Howard (Nov. 11, 2013) – and fifth ever (Howard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo) – to record 23+ rebounds against the Raptors.

 

He's going to get fired.

 

That was an experience. A happening, even.

Henderson has incredible burst and I was unhappy not to get to see him alongside Simons. Henderson's a bit green right now and plays very hard. There were a few stretches where he was leading charges in both directions and looked great. I know you guys were unhappy with Brogdon but I think you're gonna see him and Henderson tilt in the other direction once Henderson is more comfortable. I haven't seen him enough to be able to predict how long that will be and will take your word for it.

Sharpe very much reminds me of Tracy McGrady which I may have said last season. He's an electrifying player. Someone earlier in this thread said they were unsure what Sharpe's reaction from the home crowd would be. I think Canada has produced enough pro players right now where it's a different reaction for Murray, SGA, than it is for a rookie-sophomore. The home broadcast said he had many family members and friends in attendance. But I digress. I think you would want him at least being third in shot attempts?

Ayton had a heap of rebounds thanks in small part to Toronto taking 94-shots and barely hitting 40%, with 4-29 three point shooting. 51-47 rebounding there were loads of rebounds there for the big man. Toronto needed 100-shots to make 100-points which is just not sustainable to say the least. He has a very nice touch around the basket and could comfortably have doubled his shots tonight if not for Jeremi Grant who went so wild on a couple of plays I hardly believe it.

Toumani Camara is new to me this season also and did exactly what you want from a second rounder--hustling, making an impact, not forcing anything. Bright spot.

Scottie Barnes has been the best player in Toronto this season. I don't think much needs to be said, it's clear he's improved in several key areas and is on track. He looked very bummed to be losing. Poeltl also looks miserable. Feeling very uneasy about this start. Trent, Siakam, and Anunoby are all in contract years but Schroder and Boucher are the veterans who have looked the part this season.

The Raptors broadcasters were very complimentary of the Trailblazers franchise and to their players during the game.

Raptors legend Chauncey Billups. Dunno how many of you remember that season (97), he spent half of it in Boston then didn't return the next season; in any case, guess whose rookie season it was? T-Mac's.

Edit: moved to this thread, didn't mean to have it in the not a bust thread