Raptors 905 Playoff Recap: 905 eliminates rival, Westchester Knicks

In a defensive battle, the Raptors 905 were able to takedown the Westchester Knicks and advance to the Eastern Conference finals.

Raptors 905 were back in action Monday night, coming off a thrilling victory over the Grand Rapids Drive. Monday’s contest provided the 905 with an even bigger challenge in the first-seeded Westchester Knicks.

Monday evening’s contest was once again nothing short of a thriller. Westchester was perhaps the most dominant team in the G League this season, while the 905 were looking to repeat. The Knicks and 905 split the regular season series 2-2.

This showdown featured a matchup between two Canadian guards.  Aaron Best of Raptors 905 faced off against fellow countrymen Xavier Rathan-Mayes.  Best was held scoreless while Mayes scored 16 points.

Raptors 905 got off to a very slow start with Westchester outscoring the 905 17-4 to start the game. The “baby Raptors” found themselves down by 13 points early. By the end of the first quarter, Raptors 905 began to come alive. After trailing by as much as 14 they managed to cut the Knicks’ lead down to just three points at the end of quarter number one.

Alfonzo McKinnie and Lorenzo Brown both played a large part in Raptors 905’s second quarter turnaround. Shevon Thompson also scored eight first half points in seven minutes off the bench.

The 905 lead with just a couple of seconds in the first-half when a Knicks three-pointer gave the team 48-47 lead, heading into halftime.

In the third quarter it was Lorenzo Brown who came out firing on a cylinders after the break. The Raptors 905 leading scorer dropped 7 points in the quarter, disrupted the opposition on the defensive end, and dished out a couple of assists.

The two Eastern Conference foes exchanged leads on multiple occasions in the third quarter. Players from both sides dove to the floor for loose balls, the defence tightened, and the decision-making became more disciplined. Lorenzo Brown’s high impact quarter propelled the 905 into the final 12 minutes with the lead.

The 905’s defensive pressure as well as ability to knock down shots helped them pull away with a 66-64 lead by the quarter’s conclusion. 12 minutes separated Raptors 905 from a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals or the beginning of their offseason.

The lead changed early and often in the fourth quarter. Despite not being able to mount a huge lead, the 905 made it very hard for Westchester to get back in the game. It seemed each time the Knicks hit a much-needed basket the 905 would respond with a three of their own.

Malcolm Miller picked a great time to score his first points of the night. Miller scored six points in the contest both of which were two big three’s. Kennedy Meeks was also a major factor in Raptors 905’s fourth quarter success. Meeks grabbed 13 rebounds in the contest, seven of which were on the offensive end.

With 30 seconds remaining in the game Raptors 905 held a nine-point lead. As the shot clock wound down, Malachi Richardson made a three-pointer to seal the deal for the 905. Richardson scored 14 points on the night.

After a 32 win regular season, the Raptors 905 have sent the mighty Westchester Knicks packing.

Next: Checkout the Toronto Raptors Dundies

Raptors 905 will now receive a well-earned day off. Next up the defending G League Champions will take on either the Erie Bayhawks or Fort Wayne Mad Ants Thursday evening.