Toronto Raptors
fromRaptors Republic
16 minutes agoGameday: Raptors @ Cavaliers, April 20
Toronto struggled offensively in Game 1, losing to Cleveland 126-113 despite a strong start.
"I saw people who never knew each other [before] meet at the event and develop strong relationships. A lot of people came just to watch and be part of that community. That's when I knew this was special."
Yeah, definitely different, different style. Obviously Mike plays more players. That's a big change. Pace seems to be up. Offensive rebounds seems to be more of an emphasis. Definitely a style change. No doubt about it.
In 2024, Lively tossed 151 innings with a 3.81 earned run average, an 18.7% strikeout rate and a 7.8% walk rate over the life of 29 starts. He entered the 2025 season locked into a rotation spot for manager Stephen Vogt and posted a sharp-looking 3.22 ERA in nine starts, but the under-the-hood numbers were less encouraging. Lively's strikeout rate dipped to 16.3% while his walk rate rose to 8.4%. His chase rate, swinging-strike rate and opponents' contact rate all went in the wrong direction.
A University of Florida basketball crowd started a brutal chant for an opposing player who returned to college after an unsuccessful stint in the NBA. During Sunday's game between the Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide, Alabama center Charles Bediako was at the free throw line when the chant rang out across the gym. As he prepared to shoot, the crowd's criticism of the 23-year-old was loud and clear, as G League dropout! could be heard on the TV broadcast.