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Raptors @ Spurs: Grades following Toronto’s 110-106 win vs San Antonio

By Jordan Skuse

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 26: After the first two possessions both teams took planned turnovers as the crowd chanted "KOBE" as Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors and Dejounte Murray #5 of the San Antonio Spurs takes a moment during first half action at AT&T Center on January 26, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that ,by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 26: After the first two possessions both teams took planned turnovers as the crowd chanted "KOBE" as Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors and Dejounte Murray #5 of the San Antonio Spurs takes a moment during first half action at AT&T Center on January 26, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that ,by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors, playing with heavy hearts, defeated a sombre San Antonio Spurs team 110-106 on Sunday. Here are the grades:

January 26, 2020 – For the first time in over a decade, the Toronto Raptors picked up a win in San Antonio. Leading by as many as 19 points, the visiting Raptors saw a big lead evaporate behind hot shooting from the Spurs in the second half.

A close game right down to the final buzzer, Pascal Siakam (35 points) proved too much in the first quarter and Kyle Lowry was clutch down the stretch, both leading Toronto to its seventh straight victory. The Raptors now sit a half-game up on the Miami Heat for second in the Eastern Conference.

(Looks way up)  – Milwaukee.

Anytime you find the win column, nevermind doing so for a seventh consecutive time, is cause for celebration. Truth is, nobody was in the mood to laugh and raise glasses on Sunday; on this particular Sunday, everybody lost.

Earlier in the day, news broke of a tragic helicopter crash involving Kobe Bryant.

Bryant, his daughter, Gianna, and seven other passengers were travelling to basketball practice on Bryant’s helicopter when it crashed, killing everyone on board. Just like that. Mamba. Out. Children lost. The whole thing sucked, and yet, there was a basketball game that needed playing.

In what will go down as one of the most bittersweet moments in NBA history, the beginning of the game saw Toronto and San Antonio trade 24-second shot clock violations, electing to do so as a tribute. As most know, Bryant was 24 from 2007-2016. Previously, he wore 8.

The beginning of the game was as touching a moment in sports as you’ll ever find, and ultimately, Toronto won the game because of how they started and finished. The Raptors were outscored 64-49 in the middle quarters but were +19, otherwise.

Now let’s look at the grades.

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