Quick Reaction: Wizards 111, Raptors 140 – Raptors Republic

Published

5 years ago

January 18, 2020

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WAS Wizards

111

Final
Box Score

140

TOR Raptors

	S. Ibaka26 MIN, 15 PTS, 8 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 6-9 FG, 1-2 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 11 +/- Just keeps on ticking, Ibaka posted another quietly impressive statline. Serge will never be a high-end passer, but he is so much more comfortable finding corner shooters and cutters at the dunker spot when rolling towards the paint. Also, that flagrant he was called for on Beal’s three-point shot was one of the more absurd calls of the season.
	P. Siakam25 MIN, 12 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 3-9 FG, 1-3 3FG, 5-6 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 6 +/- It was one of those offensive nights for Siakam today. He couldn’t buy a bucket. Fortunately given the comfortable lead and other contributors pouring on the points, Spicy P wasn’t required to hunt shots to rediscover a groove. Despite this, there were a few instances of Siakam’s continued playmaking growth out of the post and when feeling the oncoming double team.
	M. Gasol29 MIN, 20 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 7-9 FG, 6-7 3FG, 0-0 FT, 1 BLK, 3 TO, 26 +/- Soo… I was hoping for another positive step returning from injury. That wasn’t just a step, but a damn two-footed leap back to prominence from the Big Paella/Big Spain/Big Boss from Barcelona/my icon. Gasol hasn’t looked laboured at all. He is aggressively stepping into his outside shot and as soon as they go down, it’s game over. The charisma and swagger that he plays with just oozes into every facet of Gasol’s game; scything passes, fluid behind-the-back dribbles, the smooth sauntering up court after knocking down another triple. Given how both bigs are playing, the twin-tower lineup isn’t just a gimmick lineup anymore to thwart Philly’s size. That wink he gave after beating the third quarter buzzer with a smooth triple impregnated half of Barcelona.
	K. Lowry22 MIN, 11 PTS, 3 REB, 8 AST, 2 STL, 4-9 FG, 2-6 3FG, 1-1 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 5 +/- Phewf. Lowry had a brief injury scare, and in that moment I was fully prepared to sacrifice my left leg. You’d expect KLOE to take it lightly when he returned, but that isn’t how he operates. Lowry pushed the ball on every Washington miss, actively sought contact, and finished around, above, and through defenders. It’s not a new observation, but the way Lowry gets others in rhythm is so refreshing in a league that is heavily turning towards score-first point guards.

	O. Anunoby26 MIN, 18 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 4 STL, 8-13 FG, 2-6 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 8 +/- Anunoby is an entirely different player when he doesn’t have the offensive burden on his shoulders. He was a walking bucket in the opening half with a game-high 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting. O.G. walked onto the floor, grabbed Bradley Beal, and neatly put him in his pocket, silencing the All-Star for much of the game. There isn’t many better one-on-one defenders in the game today.
	N. Powell30 MIN, 28 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 10-17 FG, 4-9 3FG, 4-5 FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 22 +/- Somebody tell Norm this isn’t the playoffs! The dude absolutely crucified some gangly centre who looked to be the lovechild of Andris Biedrins and Jan Vesely. Powell has been on a hot streak shooting the ball but more impressive has been how smoothly he has assumed the number one scoring role with the bench unit and Gasol. Now this version of the Raps bench mob is fun. It is telling that Powell has become Nurse’ go-to guy for ATO plays, and he rarely misses on those looks.
	T. Davis24 MIN, 23 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST, 0 STL, 9-16 FG, 5-7 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 21 +/- Wasn’t an ideal start for Davis, coughing up the ball in a few pick-and-roll scenarios and a brainless and-one hack in transition during the first half. However, in the second half Davis didn’t stutter, confidently stepping into triples and swooping down the court for a beautiful finish in transition. It is really impressive to see how short Davis’ memory for such a young player. He then went scorched earth during garbage time which is always fun.
	P. McCaw22 MIN, 2 PTS, 0 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 20 +/- Let’s keep this space positive. McCaw was fine, he moved the ball well to open shooters and took care of the ball. Not much else to note.
	R. Hollis-Jefferson19 MIN, 4 PTS, 2 REB, 5 AST, 3 STL, 1-2 FG, 0-0 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 22 +/- Hollis-Jefferson is such a luxury in this end of bench role. He doesn’t need heavy minutes to find a rhythm and fits nicely next to Gasol on the bench, who masks his shooting deficiencies. Hollis-Jefferson is always brimming with energy and feeds off of the team’s flowing offence, his five assists a testament to his passing ability.
	M. Thomas5 MIN, 3 PTS, 0 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 1-1 FG, 1-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 +/- Garbage time, not much to note.
	S. Johnson5 MIN, 0 PTS, 0 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 +/- Garbage time, not much to note.
	C. Boucher5 MIN, 2 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 1-2 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 +/- Garbage time, not much to note.
	M. Miller5 MIN, 2 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 +/- Garbage time, not much to note.
	Nick Nurse I loved Nurse’s decision to maintain the massive starting lineup. Ibaka is on a tear right now and kept Toronto afloat, it is just that (for now) he gets those minutes. This game was a blow-out from the beginning so there wasn’t many tough decisions for Nurse to make.

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Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

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Sports

Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Sports

Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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