Dial 905: Toronto gets revenge, Heslip shoots lights out, and more

It was the Christmas break for the D-League so the Raptors 905 had a nice few days off in between a home-and-home against the Westchester Knicks, followed by a visit from the Delaware 87ers.

Here’s a summary of what went down the past week.

Thursday Dec. 22 — vs. Westchester Knicks

Final Score: 108-106 Knicks, in a tough buzzer beater loss.

Axel Toupane Excels in Start

Although Axel Toupane is the best player on the Raptors 905 he often comes off of the bench in a sixth man role. But after the 905 got blown out by the Grand Rapids Drive, it appears as though coach Jerry Stackhouse was hoping to spark his team with a lineup change. As such, Toupane got the start in this one.

Toupane had another casual good performance, which is becoming routine in the D-League for him. Toupane played in 30 minutes, scoring 17 points and adding seven rebounds and four assists, while shooting 6-of-9 from the field. Toupane continues to show he is ready for the NBA.

CJ Leslie Returns to the Bench

After a blowout loss, Stackhouse changed his starters and moved Leslie back to the bench where he played very well at the start of the season. In this game, Leslie played in 21 minutes off the bench shooting 3-of-5 from the field and 7-of-7 from the line for 14 points.

VanVleet Records Double-Double

After a disappointing outcome against the Grand Rapids Drive before Christmas, VanVleet was obviously looking to turn things around. To that effect, VanVleet controlled most of the game for the 905. He played in 32 minutes, scored 16 points, and added 10 assists, three steals and a block.

With Delon Wright returning to the court soon and coming to the 905 it will be interesting to see what the Raptors and Raptors 905 do with VanVleet and Wright when Delon comes back.

Notes

• Goodluck Okonoboh and Negus Webster-Chan were on the inactive list.

Friday Dec. 23 — vs. Westchester Knicks

Final Score: 116-95 for the 905 as they improve to 11-4.

Brady Heslip the Sharpshooter

With no VanVleet, the 905 rolled with Brady Heslip as the starter and boy was his shot working tonight. On the way to a big win for the 905, Heslip managed to shoot 10-of-15 from three, falling just three short of the D-League record for most 3s in a game (set by... Heslip!). Heslip finished with 32 points, five steals and four rebounds.

Toupane Returns to the Bench

After getting a rare start, Toupane returned to his sixth man role and, like always, produced. Toupane played in 23 minutes. shooting 4-of-6 from the field for 14 points, while adding three rebounds.

Notes

• Bruno Caboclo chipped in with a solid game, scoring 13 points, plus four assists, three steals and two blocks.
• Goodluck Okonoboh and Antwaine Wiggins were on the inactive list this time out.

Tuesday Dec. 27 — vs. Delaware 87ers

Final Score: 120-108 for the 905 as they improve to 12-4 and score a season-high 120 points.

Toupane Plays Big Again

Powering the team once again, Toupane played in 27 minutes, scored 24 points, added nine assists and four rebounds while shooting 7-of-11 from the field. Toupane also played a little point guard in this game as Heslip and Jordan both picked up two early fouls in the first.

Yanick Moreira Puts Up Double-Double Off Bench

As one of the few players on the 905 with some NBA experience, expectations have been high for Moreira. So far this season he’s had ups and downs, looking like an NBA big in one game, and someone deserving of the inactive list another. Against the 87ers, it was the NBA player who showed up.

Moreira played in 27 minutes off the bench and scored 15 points, while adding 11 rebounds, two blocks and two steals to his rather impressive stat line. Moreira completely dominated the other Delaware bigs on both ends of the floor.

Jarrod Uthoff Impresses Off the Bench

Like Moreira, Uthoff got cut by the Raptors and expectations were high for the young stretch four (perhaps maybe too high). Uthoff have been a solid contributor on the defensive and offensive end this season but this game was one of his best. Uthoff scored 16 points and added four rebounds in the win.

Notes

• No assignees for the 905 as Bruno and VanVleet were up with the Raptors.
• CJ Leslie had an impressive game, scoring 14 points and adding eight rebounds.
• Goodluck Okonoboh and Negus Webster-Chan were on the inactive list again.