yahoo
In Vancouver on Saturday night, the Toronto Raptors responded to a lackluster preseason opener with a 114-106 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at Rogers Arena. The win marked the team's first of the preseason and revealed significant adjustments from a 129-105 defeat to Miami a week earlier. Notably, Kawhi Leonard was held out once again as a precaution, making the Raptors' progress even more impressive.
Entering the game, the primary question centered on what to expect from Toronto's second preseason outing. The answer came in the form of extended minutes for the starters and more polished offensive execution from the backcourt.
Starters See Extended Action
Unlike the opener, when the starters were pulled at halftime and Scottie Barnes sat after posting 11 points on 5-of-11 shooting in 12 minutes, the first unit played well into the third quarter this time. The lead ballooned to 20 points before the bench allowed the Clippers to claw back. Toronto held a 24-18 advantage after the first quarter, boosted by a Nimari Burnett three-pointer and several close-range looks for Collin Murray-Boyles.
Barnes Contributes Despite Slow Start
Barnes missed his first three attempts and went scoreless in the opening period, but he still made an impact. He finished with 12 points on 4-of-10 shooting, 10 rebounds, and three assists in 22 minutes. Compared to his opener (11 points, two rebounds, two assists), he noticeably improved his rebounding and playmaking.
Backcourt Powers the Offense
RJ Barrett led the team with 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting, adding five rebounds, five assists, and a steal in 23 minutes. In contrast, against Miami, he managed 15 points on 3-of-9 from the field, with most of his scoring coming at the free-throw line. Immanuel Quickley chipped in 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting, opening the game with a three off a Barrett assist and consistently finishing possessions with poise. Together, Barrett and Quickley were the primary catalysts behind Toronto's 20-point cushion.
Murray-Boyles Shows Versatility
Murray-Boyles delivered 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting, nine rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in 22 minutes. In the preseason opener, he had six points and nine rebounds while struggling with his shot. Although the coaching staff still views his development at both the four and five positions as a work in progress, Saturday's performance showcased improved passing and rim protection.
Third Unit Remains a Concern
The preseason opener ended with the third-stringers receiving a harsh welcome, and Saturday did little to change that narrative. Raptors Republic observed that the camp invites and two-way players failed to generate quality looks late, even though they played hard enough to prevent the Clippers from completing a comeback as the lead shrank to a handful of points. Jaden Bradley had his best game as a Raptor, hustling for loose balls and finishing with 8 points on 3-of-4 shooting. Tyreke Key and Chucky Hepburn, who combined for 26 points against Miami, saw minimal action on Saturday.
Areas Still Needing Improvement
The offense sputtered when the reserves were on the floor. The Clippers packed the paint, challenging anyone who caught the ball near the rim, and Toronto lacked the shot-making to respond. The notion that bench depth could become the Raptors' greatest strength still requires validation, as the minutes without starters have been the weakest aspect of the preseason. Barnes also needs to improve his finishing at the rim, and Leonard's conditioning remains the biggest unanswered question.
Looking Ahead
Saturday provided Toronto with a clearer blueprint: starters who remain engaged, guards who score efficiently, and a young big man in Murray-Boyles who continues to add the physical edge the staff desires. The weak link is the end of the rotation. With few preseason games remaining, the third unit has limited time to alter perceptions. If Leonard joins a lineup that already functions without him, the team's ceiling rises dramatically. If the reserves continue to surrender leads, head coach Darko Rajakovic may need to shorten his bench early, and roster questions will persist into the regular season.
More NBA News: Jamal Shead's Win-Win Deal: Why Toronto's New Extension Could Pay Off Despite The EuroLeague's Rejection, NBA Europe Is Moving Forward.
Originally reported by yahoo.