Dial 905: Bruno plays big, VanVleet stays steady, and more

The D-League season is well under way as the Raptors 905 have now played three games. This past week the 905 played the expansion teams the Long Island Nets and the Windy City Bulls. They won both games, which puts them at 3-0 on the season.

Here’s a summary of what went down.

Sunday, Nov. 20 — vs. Long Island Nets

Bruno Dominates

After a disappointing opening game due to a foot injury, Bruno Caboclo bounced back in a huge way for the 905. In the second game of the season coach Jerry Stackhouse inserted Caboclo into the starting lineup and it worked wonders. Caboclo played 30 minutes, scoring 17 points, while adding 10 rebounds and three assists along with an astonishing seven blocks.

Bruno looked like he was way too good for the D-League competition, which is a huge step for his development if he can continue to play like that all year.

VanVleet Disappoints

After Fred VanVleet dominated his first D-League game, his second did not go as planned. VanVleet played in 22 minutes and only put up one point. VanVleet did not look like the same player from the first game who controlled the offence and dominated the court. That said, VanVleet did still have some effect on the game with eight assists and three steals.

Uthoff Bounce Back Game

Jarrod Uthoff’s professional debut was not a success but his second game was huge for the team. Uthoff came off the bench and put up 14 points, three rebounds and four assists in 17 minutes of action. For the most part, Uthoff looked more settled in the team’s offense, and it showed.

Extras

• For the second game in a row the bench was outstanding for the 905. The trio of CJ Leslie (15 points), Will Sheehey (13 points) and Antwaine Wiggins (13 points) looked good and provided a spark off the bench for the team.
• John Jordan have yet to see the court as for the second game in a row as he was an inactive along with J.T. Terrell.

Final Score: 117-83 for the 905 as they improve to 2-0.

Wednesday, Nov. 23rd — vs. Windy City Bulls

A school day game for the Raptors 905 and they put on a show for the 4,000 plus students who went to the game.

In off the court news: J.T. Terrell was cut as Walter ‘Edy’ Tavares officially joined the Raptors 905.

VanVleet Looks Like His Old Self

After a disappointing game, Fred VanVleet led the way in this one. He played in 31 minutes, scoring 25 points, while adding four assists and four rebounds. VanVleet also took control of the offence and seemed to know what the Bulls defense was going to do each time down the court. This is the VanVleet the 905 want to hold on to.

Moreira Finally Has A Good Game

After attending training camp with the Raptors, getting cut, and then showing up in Mississauga, Yanick Moreira finally has a good game in the D-League after he was a non-factor in the first two.

Moreira once again started the game, but this time he had 14 points and 9 rebounds in 26 minutes, just missing out on the double-double. Moreira used his size and dominated in the paint which should become a more common thing to see given the overall lack of size in the D-League.

Caboclo and Uthoff Disappoint

Unfortunately for the 905 and coach Stackhouse, Bruno and Uthoff have yet to be consistent in their play. Both were coming off solid games against the Nets and figure to be major contributors to this 905 team. But against the Windy City Bulls, Bruno only registered two points in 29 minutes (albeit with 10 rebounds), while Uthoff logged four points in 19 minutes.

Extras

• The bench, anchored by Sheehey with 12 points, three rebounds and four assists, once again came up big for the 905.
• Edy Tavares saw action in 15 minutes, scoring four points and adding seven rebounds and three blocks in his first game with the 905.
• Local tryout player Negus Webster-Chan started the game for the 905.
• For the third game in a row defending dunk contest champion John Jordan was an inactive along with now second time inactive Goodluck Okonoboh.

Final Score: 98-92 for the 905 as they improve to 3-0.