Here are 10 takeaways from the Toronto Raptors’ 114-106 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in the sixth of eight seeding games ahead of the 2020 NBA playoffs.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="One — Throwaway: This was a bit of gamesmanship on the part of both the Raptors and the Bucks, who have clearly circled each other as a potential Eastern Conference Finals rematch. Milwaukee sat out Giannis Antetokounmpo over a toothache, while the Raptors rested Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, and Fred VanVleet on the second night of a back-to-back. Neither side wanted to show their hand, especially since the Bucks and Raptors are both locked into their seeding as No. 1 and 2, respectively, in the conference. Still, it made for a fun and quirky game, as it was competitive right through the end.” data-reactid=”14″>One — Throwaway: This was a bit of gamesmanship on the part of both the Raptors and the Bucks, who have clearly circled each other as a potential Eastern Conference Finals rematch. Milwaukee sat out Giannis Antetokounmpo over a toothache, while the Raptors rested Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, and Fred VanVleet on the second night of a back-to-back. Neither side wanted to show their hand, especially since the Bucks and Raptors are both locked into their seeding as No. 1 and 2, respectively, in the conference. Still, it made for a fun and quirky game, as it was competitive right through the end.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Two — Deadly: Matt Thomas lit up the Bucks for a career-high 22 points, and was legitimately the go-to scorer for prolonged stretches. Thomas entered the game early in both halves, both times replacing the struggling Terence Davis around three minutes in, and was lights out from three. He was so dangerous that the Bucks assigned their best perimeter defender in Eric Bledsoe to check Thomas, and even still Thomas was able to shake free. To end the first quarter, Thomas faded out of bounds to nail a ridiculous leaning three over Bledsoe, and remained hot throughout.” data-reactid=”15″>Two — Deadly: Matt Thomas lit up the Bucks for a career-high 22 points, and was legitimately the go-to scorer for prolonged stretches. Thomas entered the game early in both halves, both times replacing the struggling Terence Davis around three minutes in, and was lights out from three. He was so dangerous that the Bucks assigned their best perimeter defender in Eric Bledsoe to check Thomas, and even still Thomas was able to shake free. To end the first quarter, Thomas faded out of bounds to nail a ridiculous leaning three over Bledsoe, and remained hot throughout.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Three — Viable: Thomas should get serious consideration against the Bucks in a playoff setting. The Bucks’ entire defensive strategy revolves around dropping their center deep into the paint at all times to deny shots at the rim, but that leaves the perimeter open. Thomas was able to consistently step into open looks around screens from Marc Gasol, and the Bucks failed to adjust. Thomas is the type of shooter where even if he’s taking the midrange look, he’s accurate enough to make the math work. Defensively, because the Bucks usually have a static catch-and-shoot threat on the floor at all times, there are places for Thomas to hide.” data-reactid=”18″>Three — Viable: Thomas should get serious consideration against the Bucks in a playoff setting. The Bucks’ entire defensive strategy revolves around dropping their center deep into the paint at all times to deny shots at the rim, but that leaves the perimeter open. Thomas was able to consistently step into open looks around screens from Marc Gasol, and the Bucks failed to adjust. Thomas is the type of shooter where even if he’s taking the midrange look, he’s accurate enough to make the math work. Defensively, because the Bucks usually have a static catch-and-shoot threat on the floor at all times, there are places for Thomas to hide.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Four — Active: Chris Boucher also set his career-high with 25 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. It was clear from the jump that Boucher was ready, as he swished two threes immediately upon checking into the game. Boucher makes his share of mistakes, but he usually settles in when he knows that he’s going to get consistent minutes. Boucher registered one of his signature blocks at the three-point line, and constantly beat the Bucks on the offensive glass for putback chances. If that three falls at a consistent clip, Boucher is another option to throw at the Bucks, especially if the Raptors want to go big with two centers on the floor.” data-reactid=”19″>Four — Active: Chris Boucher also set his career-high with 25 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. It was clear from the jump that Boucher was ready, as he swished two threes immediately upon checking into the game. Boucher makes his share of mistakes, but he usually settles in when he knows that he’s going to get consistent minutes. Boucher registered one of his signature blocks at the three-point line, and constantly beat the Bucks on the offensive glass for putback chances. If that three falls at a consistent clip, Boucher is another option to throw at the Bucks, especially if the Raptors want to go big with two centers on the floor.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Five — Nasty: Boucher’s two-handed poster over Ersan Ilyasova deserves its own point. The broadcast showed it at least a dozen times, and quite frankly, that wasn’t enough.” data-reactid=”20″>Five — Nasty: Boucher’s two-handed poster over Ersan Ilyasova deserves its own point. The broadcast showed it at least a dozen times, and quite frankly, that wasn’t enough.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Six — Crisp: The most encouraging part of this game was seeing Norman Powell regain his rhythm, as he finished with 21 points in 27 minutes. With both Lowry and VanVleet sidelined, Powell got extended looks as a de facto point guard, and delivered in his role. Similar to Thomas, Powell was able to attack off the high pick-and-roll and find space with the Bucks’ centers dropping back for midrange shots, floaters, and pull-up threes. Powell also continues to share a great connection with Marc Gasol, who spaces the floor, sets massive screens, and always passes to Powell to initiate the attack. Nurse needs to find a way to tweak his rotation so those two can share more minutes together.” data-reactid=”23″>Six — Crisp: The most encouraging part of this game was seeing Norman Powell regain his rhythm, as he finished with 21 points in 27 minutes. With both Lowry and VanVleet sidelined, Powell got extended looks as a de facto point guard, and delivered in his role. Similar to Thomas, Powell was able to attack off the high pick-and-roll and find space with the Bucks’ centers dropping back for midrange shots, floaters, and pull-up threes. Powell also continues to share a great connection with Marc Gasol, who spaces the floor, sets massive screens, and always passes to Powell to initiate the attack. Nurse needs to find a way to tweak his rotation so those two can share more minutes together.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Seven — Developing: The Raptors made a point to find OG Anunoby in the post as a source of offense. On one play, Anunoby had Khris Middleton in isolation and blew past him easily with a spin move before finishing with a two-handed jam. Shortly after, the Bucks doubled Anunoby down low, but he outsmarted the defense by finding Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on a cut to the rim for two free throws.” data-reactid=”24″>Seven — Developing: The Raptors made a point to find OG Anunoby in the post as a source of offense. On one play, Anunoby had Khris Middleton in isolation and blew past him easily with a spin move before finishing with a two-handed jam. Shortly after, the Bucks doubled Anunoby down low, but he outsmarted the defense by finding Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on a cut to the rim for two free throws.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Eight — Clever: Maybe this was just a temporary solution for this unique circumstance, but the Raptors were clever in how they guarded Brook Lopez. Each time Lopez went to screen, Gasol would call for one of his forwards to follow Lopez to the perimeter instead of sticking with his assignment. This allowed the Raptors to switch more of those actions to keep Milwaukee’s guards out of the paint, and Lopez wasn’t able to punish the mismatch when he got to the ball. On one play, Lopez had the rookie guard Davis on him, and still he settled for a jumper.” data-reactid=”27″>Eight — Clever: Maybe this was just a temporary solution for this unique circumstance, but the Raptors were clever in how they guarded Brook Lopez. Each time Lopez went to screen, Gasol would call for one of his forwards to follow Lopez to the perimeter instead of sticking with his assignment. This allowed the Raptors to switch more of those actions to keep Milwaukee’s guards out of the paint, and Lopez wasn’t able to punish the mismatch when he got to the ball. On one play, Lopez had the rookie guard Davis on him, and still he settled for a jumper.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Nine — Flaw: Middleton is a nice player having a very efficient season shooting the basketball, but he remains weak in handling the ball. With Giannis resting, it was up to Middleton to create more of the offense, and the Raptors neutralized him by pressuring the ball and making him retreat. It’s reminiscent of the defining moment of the Raptors-Bucks series, where VanVleet and Lowry hounded Middleton on a behind-the-back dribble to set up Kawhi Leonard for a poster finish in Game 6 as part of a 26-3 run.” data-reactid=”32″>Nine — Flaw: Middleton is a nice player having a very efficient season shooting the basketball, but he remains weak in handling the ball. With Giannis resting, it was up to Middleton to create more of the offense, and the Raptors neutralized him by pressuring the ball and making him retreat. It’s reminiscent of the defining moment of the Raptors-Bucks series, where VanVleet and Lowry hounded Middleton on a behind-the-back dribble to set up Kawhi Leonard for a poster finish in Game 6 as part of a 26-3 run.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Ten — Intriguing: There’s something there with two-way forward Paul Watson Jr. He’s quick on his feet and a bouncy finisher. He got to the rim after faking a dribble hand-off, and drove it all the way to the basket for another finish through contact. His three-point shot was elite at the G-League level (he made 42 percent on seven attempts per game) and it remains to see if that carries over, but the tools are there. He could be yet another diamond in the rough for the Raptors’ scouting and development staff.” data-reactid=”33″>Ten — Intriguing: There’s something there with two-way forward Paul Watson Jr. He’s quick on his feet and a bouncy finisher. He got to the rim after faking a dribble hand-off, and drove it all the way to the basket for another finish through contact. His three-point shot was elite at the G-League level (he made 42 percent on seven attempts per game) and it remains to see if that carries over, but the tools are there. He could be yet another diamond in the rough for the Raptors’ scouting and development staff.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="More coverage on Yahoo Sports Canada” data-reactid=”34″>More coverage on Yahoo Sports Canada
CALGARY – Ryan Lomberg and Brayden Pachal each had a goal and assist on Saturday night to lead the Calgary Flames to a 4-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks in NHL pre-season action.
Blake Coleman and Adam Klapka also scored for Calgary, which is 4-0-1 through five games.
Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Aatu Ratyu were the marksmen for Vancouver, which is 2-2 in exhibition play.
Dan Vladar, who stopped 17 of 19 shots in 40 minutes of action, got the win. Devin Cooley made nine stops in relief.
Artus Silovs, beaten four times on 24 shots, gave way to Nikita Tolopilo to start the third. Tolopilo had eight saves.
Calgary opened the scoring at 4:23 when Pachal’s rising wrist shot from the blue line through a maze of bodies eluded Silovs, who never saw it.
The Flames surged in front 2-0 three minutes later when Lomberg corralled a MacKenzie Weegar rebound in the slot and fired a shot just inside the goalpost.
Lomberg, 29, who broke into the NHL as a Flame in 2017-18, re-signed in the off-season in Calgary as a free agent after four years with the Florida Panthers, which was capped off by winning the Stanley Cup.
Vancouver got on the scoreboard at 8:35 of the second on a fortuitous bounce.
Lekkerimaki’s shot from the slot deflected off Flames defenceman Artem Grushnikov, went high into the air, and with seemingly nobody aware of where the puck went, it toppled over Vladar and landed in the Calgary net.
Since being drafted by Vancouver in the first round, in 2022, Lekkerimaki has spent the past two seasons in his native Sweden.
This will be the 20-year-old’s first season in North America and with three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in three games in the pre-season, he’s making a push for a job with the Canucks.
One of the players he is competing against is Raty, who after Calgary had taken a 3-1 lead, again got the Canucks back within one on a perfect shot after being set up on a 2-on-1 by Conor Garland.
Raty, a second-round pick in 2021, was acquired from the New York Islanders in the Bo Horvat trade. He’s spent most of the past two seasons in the AHL.
The Flames restored their two-goal cushion later in the second with Klapka firing a shot past Silovs for his third goal in as many pre-season games.
Klapka, who stands 6-foot-8, is looking to make the team’s fourth line. The 24-year-old has shown some offensive pop with three goals in as many pre-season games.
His physicality was also on display Saturday, throwing an open-ice hit in the first period on Nils Aman that sent the Canucks forward flying. In the third, a heavy hit on Akito Hirose send the defenceman careening into the sideboards. Hirose had to be helped off the ice.
UNEXPECTED OFFENCE
Known more for his physicality, Pachal has never had a multi-point game in his 62 career NHL regular-season games. The 24-year-old was in his fifth season with the Vegas Golden Knights organization when he was claimed off waivers by Calgary last February.
HUBERDEAU-MANTHA COMBO
Left-winger Jonathan Huberdeau played in his second pre-season game for Calgary and has been the case throughout camp, the right-winger was veteran Anthony Mantha, who the Flames signed to a one-year deal as a free agent. On this night, Yegor Sharangovich was at centre. In the first game, the two were centred by Martin Pospisil.
UP NEXT
Canucks: Visit the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.
Flames: Host the Seattle Kraken on Monday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 28, 2024.
EDMONTON – When the key to a win is work ethic, it is not surprising to see Mattias Ekholm rise to the occasion.
Ekholm had a goal and two assists as the Edmonton Oilers snapped a three-game skid with a 5-4 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Saturday.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Noah Philp, Vasily Podkolzin and Raphael Lavoie also scored for the Oilers, who improved to 2-3 in NHL pre-season play.
“They are a hard-working team, no matter who they have in the lineup, so we expected that,” said Oilers forward Derek Ryan, who picked up a couple of assists.
“There were points in the game where we were kind of matching that intensity and work ethic and things were going well for us. We let the work ethic dip a little bit and then the game gets away from us. It is a good message to the guys who were playing and the whole group that it starts with work.”
Jacob Melanson, Eduard Sale, John Hayden and Ben Meyers responded for the Kraken, who fell to 1-3 in exhibition action.
“I thought we were getting up the ice well, playing fast, playing north,” said Meyers. “I think we probably just gave up a little bit too much to win that game, but I thought offensively we played pretty well and we had our chance.”
The Oilers started the scoring just over three minutes into the opening period as both defenders tried to cover Connor McDavid on a two-on-one, but he made a nice backhand pass back to Nugent-Hopkins, who beat Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer upstairs blocker side.
Seattle tied the game nine minutes into the first after Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard made a couple of saves in tight before Melanson was able to poke it in from the crease.
Pickard left the game soon afterwards after teammate Noah Philp got angled into his own netminder, hitting him in the head. Pickard did not return to the game.
Olivier Rodrigue replaced Pickard in the Edmonton net and surrendered a power-play goal with six minutes to play in the first as Ryan Winterton lifted a deft pass over a defender across to Sale for the goal.
Edmonton knotted the game with 2:43 remaining in the first frame as Ekholm spotted Philp driving the net and completed a long saucer pass through a couple Kraken players to allow him to wrist it home.
Seattle made it 3-2 5:32 into the second period after Rodrigue attempted to direct a puck away from the net, only to have it hit Hayden and carom into his net.
With two minutes left in the middle period, the Kraken added to their lead as Meyers elected to shoot on a two-on-one opportunity, beating the Oilers’ goalie upstairs.
Edmonton got that goal back just 26 seconds later as Derek Ryan threaded the needle to a trailing Ekholm and he beat Grubauer to make it 4-3.
The Oilers tied the game six minutes into the third on a short-handed tally as Ryan made a great play to draw the defenders his way before sending it over to Podkolzin for the easy tap-in.
Edmonton avoided overtime with 2:53 remaining in the final frame as Lavoie battled hard to retrieve the puck before swinging out front and sending a shot through Grubauer’s legs.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch has been impressed with Lavoie’s skills as a sniper.
“He’s got good hands and an even better shot,” he said. “He showed great skill on that goal.”
NOTES
The Oilers still had 41 players in camp — with four goalies, 13 defencemen and 24 forwards. … Seattle was down to 37 players at camp — 33 skaters and four goalies — after cutting eight players before Friday’s contest against Vancouver. … Edmonton had both of the players in camp who are on PTOs in the lineup on Saturday, forward Mike Hoffman and defenceman Travis Dermott. … Grubauer made his first appearance since last Sunday’s 6-1 loss to Calgary, during which he allowed four goals on 19 shots.
UP NEXT
Kraken: Visit the Calgary Flames on Monday.
Oilers: Host the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 28, 2024.
CHICAGO (AP) — Jonathan Dean scored his first Major League Soccer goal in the 84th minute for the Chicago Fire on Saturday night in a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC.
Ariel Lassiter cut back to evade a defender and the played an arcing ball from the left corner of the area to the back post, where a charging Dean tapped in a one-touch finish from point-blank range to cap the scoring.
Prince Owusu converted from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time to give Toronto (11-17-4) a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Chicago (7-16-9) has just one win and four losses in its last six games.
