"The Raptors were a fingertip away from sending the game to overtime, but paid the price for their atrocious start. They won the third and fourth quarter by three points, and tied the second quarter. Even in the third quarter, when the Raptors were finally starting to turn the tide in their favour, they allowed the Nuggets to go on a quick 7-0 run at the end of the frame."
"Mind you, when the Raptors struggled against a below-average defensive team - with an already depleted roster - it was still a bad sign. RJ Barrett finally got a bucket after a timeout. In the third quarter, the Raptors held the Nuggets to no field goals made for a long, long stretch and put them at the line (they shot 10 free throws)."
The Raptors mounted a near-comeback but lost after a poor start that made overtime impossible despite winning the third and fourth quarters and tying the second. Strong individual performances included Scottie's triple-double, but the team failed to capitalize on the Nuggets missing Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and other starters. Jonas Valančiūnas scored early and drew free throws, exposing Toronto's struggles to contain him. Defensive improvements in the second half limited Denver's shooting and forced free throws, yet critical mistakes—missed lay-ups, timely Nuggets baskets and a late 7-0 run—erased the Raptors' progress and sealed the defeat.
Read at Raptors Republic
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