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In what many would regard as a feat of peak preseason, the Raptors and Knicks opened their game tonight with a first quarter that ended in a 12-12 tie.
Yes, it was that kind of game.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Raptors vs. Knicks: Game in Six Seconds: <a href="http://t.co/i2W26loMd6">http://t.co/i2W26loMd6</a> (via <a href="https://twitter.com/_youhadonejob">@_youhadonejob</a>)</p>— cathalkelly (@cathalkelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/cathalkelly/status/521834193555574784">October 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Regardless, the Raptors did stick it out for an 81-76 win.
By the end of the evening the Dinos had managed to get their field goal percentage up to a balmy 40.3 percent. The Knicks kept it cool at 37.8 percent. Both Toronto and New York were also delightful from long range, shooting 25 and, gulp, 13 percent respectively from deep.
But now I know what you're thinking: could there have been many turnovers? Multitudes! The Raptors managed to give the ball away 21 times, and the Knicks kicked in 16 just for fun.
Also, Andrea Bargnani didn't play so we had no opportunity to let loose any Primo Pasta jokes. Frankly, I'm disappointed.
AND YET.
On the (non-sarcastic) plus side for the Raptors, Lou Williams appears to have regained his sweet touch, going 6-9 from the floor (including 2-3 from 3-point range) and 7-7 from the free throw line.
The Raptors won without Jonas Valanciunas, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan (for the second half). The team got minutes and production from the entire roster (even Landry Fields hit a shot). We can assume that some credit for the Knicks' horrid shooting can be given to the Raptors defense.
And BRUNO:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Impressive two-way sequence from BRUNO - changes shot on one end, beats everyone down the floor for easy slam: <a href="https://t.co/2q3dehZ2It">https://t.co/2q3dehZ2It</a></p>— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLew1050/status/521838109320032257">October 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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And, not for nothing, it appears something else may be catching on:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/bdetrick">@bdetrick</a>: JR Smith had no idea Nas played for the Raptors <a href="http://t.co/HX6FIFJzvz">pic.twitter.com/HX6FIFJzvz</a> <a href="http://t.co/LFfIdDoVKy">pic.twitter.com/LFfIdDoVKy</a></p>— netw3rk (@netw3rk) <a href="https://twitter.com/netw3rk/status/521834951160111104">October 14, 2014</a></blockquote>
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I say you jump in now on the Raptors HQ original #Brazillmatic bandwagon.
The Raptors travel to Boston to face the Celtics on Wednesday night, the second stop on their three game road trip.
Thoughts on the game tonight?