Toronto Raptors: 5 takeaways from dramatic win over DeRozan and Spurs

By Paul Taylor | Feb 23, 2019

PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs watches from the bench during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 14, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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Toronto Raptors

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors argues with referee Scott Foster #48 in overtime against the Washington Wizards Capital One Arena on January 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

5) Other notes

To get an idea of how emotional and tense the evening was, consider that Nurse earned the first ejection of his NBA head coaching career in the third quarter. In fairness to him, the blocking call against Green was pretty suspect.

The win by the Raptors was just their 13th all-time against the Spurs. At 33-13 all time, no team has a better overall record against the Toronto than San Antonio.

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As evidence of Ibaka’s renaissance this season, consider that his 13 points on Friday night (to go along with a game-high 15 rebounds) made it 21 consecutive games of scoring 10+. This ties his best all-time streak and he will look to set a new personal best on Sunday, when the Raptors face the Orlando Magic.

The Raptors have now won seven games in a row and remain two back of the Milwaukee Bucks. However, it’s effectively three back due to the Bucks winning the season series, and Toronto must hope they have at least one bad run of results left in them.

Let’s finish with the quote of the night, courtesy of Lowry, who said DeRozan picked up the tab when the two best friends went out on Thursday night for dinner. As per Sports Illustrated, Lowry said: “His American dollars are strong right now so we took advantage.”

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What was your impression of the atmosphere on Friday night? What was your main takeaway, whether it be regarding DeRozan or the game itself? Is this Toronto Raptors team now primed to go deep in the playoffs this season? Let us know in the comments section below.

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