Raptors Rapture
Fansided

Grades: Toronto Raptors pick up eighth-straight in milestone-filled matchup

By Michael Walton

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 28: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors shoots against John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Scotiabank Arena on January 28, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 28: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors shoots against John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Scotiabank Arena on January 28, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
Toronto Raptors
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 28: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

The Toronto Raptors defeated the Atlanta Hawks 130-114 on Tuesday night as they picked up their eighth win in a row in a game that was very special for a few different reasons.

The Toronto Raptors’ win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night was their first home game since the tragic death of Kobe Bryant on Sunday. The Raptors honored Bryant with a video tribute, 24 seconds of silence, and highlighting “81” on the scoreboard when the Hawks were the first team to reach 81 points, in honor of Bryant’s legendary 81-point outing against the Raptors in 2006.

The Raptors’ Tuesday-night win over the Hawks brings their record to 33-14, keeping them a game above the Miami Heat—who lost for only the third time at home this season on Tuesday night— for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The win was great for Raptors faithful, as Toronto played their usual brand of basketball that has kept the team afloat this season throughout numerous injuries, former Raptor Vince Carter—who is in the top-10 in games played in Raptors history—tied Dirk Nowitzki for third all-time in NBA history in games played (1,522), and Kyle Lowry became the Toronto Raptors all-time leader in assists (3,772).

Atlanta continued their season-long struggles against Toronto, with Tuesday representing their third loss this season the Raptors. Over those three matchups, Toronto is averaging 123.6 points per game. In this win we got to see Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka have nice scoring outputs while playing great defense, Fred VanVleet turn in an impressive defensive effort on Trae Young, and a balanced scoring effort with six Hawks reaching double-digit point totals.

So how did the Raptors grade in a win that will make Nick Nurse quite happy?

Home/Raptors News