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Durant situation casts cloud over Raptors’ impressive win over Nets – Sportsnet.ca

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There was a very entertaining basketball game going on between the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets on Friday when all of a sudden it became secondary.

Nets star Kevin Durant left the game and then left the floor midway through the third quarter, not to return.

The reason? Health and safety protocols, which is 2020-21 NBA-speak for either a positive COVID test, an inconclusive test or that Durant was identified as being at risk due to contact tracing.

All of which was doubly strange since Durant was escorted off the floor during pre-game warmups at Barclays Center because even though both of his game-day tests had been clear, there was a question that he may have been in close contact with someone with a positive or inconclusive test. He came off the bench for the first time in his 14-year career, taking the floor again midway through the first quarter.

Why Durant was not cleared, cleared and then ruled out isn’t known, but it tossed a wet blanket over the game, which Toronto won 123-117.

It also introduced a cloud over the immediate future of both teams. If Durant wasn’t safe to play, what impact did he have on his team and the Raptors during the 19 minutes he was out there? And can those questions be answered in time for the Raptors to be cleared to travel to Atlanta after the game for their matchup against the Hawks on Saturday night?

In game where the Nets stars had top billing, it was the Raptors’ big names that ended up dominating. Lowry was the engine that drove a 13-5 fourth-quarter run that was the key to Toronto getting over the top. He finished with a season-high 30 points on 18 shots, including 6-of-9 from three, while adding seven assists. He had plenty of support from Pascal Siakam, who took advantage of the Nets’ lack of interior presence to put up 33 points and 11 rebounds for a season-high of his own.

Meanwhile, it was a Fred VanVleet three – his first of the game after his record-setting 54-point night on Tuesday — with 1:46 left that put Toronto up six and left them in good position down the final possessions of the game. With the win – the Raptors’ third straight — Toronto improved to 10-12 and moved to within a half-game of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Raptors shot 50.5 per cent from the floor and 13-of-32 from three but limited themselves to 10 turnovers.

The Nets shot 49 per cent from the floor and 17-of-42 from three but turned the ball over 18 times and didn’t have any of their big guns score more than 17 points, with Joe Harris leading the way with 19.

Apart from the strangeness around Durant, the game unfolded somewhat as advertised, and it was as entertaining as might have been expected.

Even with just 19 minutes from Durant, the Nets were still able to put up points in bunches, and for all the defensive emphasis the Raptors like to bring to the floor, they needed to score to keep up. Their offence did its part as Toronto was able to take a 92-90 lead into the fourth quarter and was able to keep up with the Nets down the stretch. Heading into the fourth, the Nets were shooting 53 per cent from the floor and 13-of-31 from deep, granted, but the Raptors forced 15 turnovers to score 18 points and shot 50 per cent from the floor while shooting 9-of-20 on their own threes.

The Nets can get what they want, it seems, but they give it up, too.

For the most part it hasn’t hurt them all that much. Before hosting the Raptors the Nets were 7-3 since the Jan. 16 trade that brought Harden over from Houston, even while giving up 118.2 points per 100 possessions. Scoring 121 points per 100 possessions will do that for a team, and Brooklyn is just getting started.

“We still have a long way to go,” head coach Steve Nash said before the game. “But for an early review I mean it’s been really positive and just the fact how willing they are to share and to root for one another and, you know, that’s the foundations of something special.

“Now we have to put in the hard work and learn from our mistakes and create a vision that becomes more and more clear and simple as we go along to produce it the way we want to but you know the building blocks are there.”

But the defence?

“It’s still early for this group, but we know that is an Achilles heel,” said Nash. “That’s something that has to be a priority for us.”

Maybe, maybe not.

While other teams have to manufacture offence, the Nets seemingly score at will. It’s not just that Irving and Durant are both scoring upwards of 28 points a game, averaging 50 per cent from the floor, 40 per cent from three and 90 per cent from the free-throw line, or that Harden has averaged a league-leading 12 assists a game with Brooklyn while scoring 24 points a game himself. It’s that Harris is shooting 49 per cent from three and DeAndre Jordan is shooting 81 per cent from the floor, feasting on putbacks and lobs against scrambled defences.

But what choice is there but to send additional defenders against the Nets’ big scorers?

“If you don’t help, then you’re not gonna stop ’em,” said Raptors head coach Nick Nurse. “They’ve got three guys that can’t be guarded one-on-one. So you’ve gotta help. You’ve gotta trust your help and your rotations, and you’ve gotta do it. We gotta not get caught up in thinking that you can’t help. You have to guard the ball hard and you have to be in your help positions and if somebody goes by you, then the rotations start, and you’ve gotta be really good at ’em. Really good.”

The Raptors were all of that in the first quarter, as they held the Nets to 23 points and forced six turnovers, which the Raptors turned into 11 points, mostly in transition as they led by nine. But the Nets’ full arsenal was on display in a six-minute stretch during the second quarter when Brooklyn scored 28 points as it fought back from a 17-point deficit to cut the Raptors’ lead to a point.

For the quarter, the Nets scored 40 points on 65 per cent shooting, including 7-of-10 from deep with 12 assists on 13 made field goals. Put another way, the Raptors scored 33 points while shooting 58 per cent and 5-of-8 from three and lost ground.

Regardless of your allegiance, it was fun to watch. It seemed like every time the Nets came down on offence, there was another leak in the Raptors’ defensive shell. If Harden wasn’t stepping into a three from the top of the arc, he was breaking down the defence and finding Jordan for lob dunks. Irving was quiet until he turned on a dime to attack, draw and lob to Jordan again.

Toronto led 67-63 at half, but had been put on notice. The Raptors rose to the challenge, though. They stayed committed to their defensive effort and made just enough plays down the stretch to keep the Nets mostly contained – though Brooklyn missing Durant probably contributed to that.

What that means for the Raptors in the coming days is uncertain.

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

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November 8, 2024

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

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November 8, 2024

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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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Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

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November 8, 2024

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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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