REPORT: LA Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors: Final Score: 127-107

It was ironic that the Toronto Raptors played like a team that wished they were on a beach in a tropical climate on Filipino Heritage Night at Scotiabank Arena.

James Harden’s triple-double and strong play from his Hall of Fame colleagues helped the Los Angeles Clippers overcome the Raptors 127-107 when they visited the city.

With 10 rebounds, 13 assists, and 22 points in the end, The Bearded One excelled. Even though he was limited in minutes, Paul George managed to finish with 21 points. With 20 points, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and a pair of highlight-dunks, Russell Westbrook led all reserves.

The Raptors playing the Clippers was a really ironic match.

It makes sense that Raptors supporters would think back on the championship team while Kawhi Leonard and Norm Powell are in the area. Although Kawhi was without a doubt the best player in the starting lineup, Norm was one of several talented players to come off the bench, which also included Serge Ibaka, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby. How times change in just five years.

The Raptors had three days off to recover after an ugly home loss to the Grizzlies, who were decimated by injuries. Let’s just say they weren’t ready.

The Clippers were without Ivica Zubac due to a calf strain that will keep him out for four weeks. With both starting centers out due to injury, the action was concentrated in the paint. By the time Darko called his first timeout, the team was up 13–6, having scored 16 of the first 19 points there. Jakob Poeltl was still recovering from an ankle sprain, and Immanuel Quickley had added a right quadricep contusion to the injury report.

This game offered a sneak peek at the Raptors’ potential for the remainder of this season and potentially the next. As they adjust to new roles, there will be chemistry problems and growing pains from the younger players. Gradey Dick is a case in point.

One of the first players off the bench, Dick made an effort to contribute right away. He attempted to draw a charge against Kawhi, but he was caught for a blocking penalty since he was one step late. Shortly after, Dick stepped in to take an offensive charge on Powell, demonstrating the kind of in-game change required to survive in the NBA.

As Dick attempted to block a three-point shot and landed inside Harden’s landing area, he was called for a Flagrant-1 foul, adding to the lesson learned. Dick grabbed the steal, started the fastbreak, and hit Barrett with a spectacular alley-oop pass during the next possession.

With 17 points and 8 assists, Harden led the Clippers to a 66-52 lead at the half. Barrett and Schroder each managed 11 points in an attempt to save Toronto.

The Clippers demonstrated their dominance and managed to remain unfazed as the game began, setting the tone for the second half.

It appeared as though each Clipper turned on the proverbial switch in turn. Harden led the team to victory in the first half, but in the third quarter Leonard made the decision to exert some effort. Among his ten points were two run-stopping* threes. In addition, Kawhi held Barnes in check while Scottie played more than eight minutes without scoring.

*In this game, any successive possession in which the Raptors scored was considered a “run.”

Scottie Barnes put up his best effort in the fourth quarter, as he has most of his young career. However, that was only after he committed an error that cost his team points.

Barnes was upset with a non-call after failing to make a layup. Harden entered a transition three in the meantime. In a game where Toronto was down by double digits for the majority of the game and needed to be closer to winning, mistakes like the one that Barnes made need to be addressed, especially because he is now the team’s undisputed leader.

the team.