Dial 905: Delon Returns, Toupane Concerns, Heslip Burns, and more

The Raptors 905 have been on a stellar road winning streak dating back to last season. Sadly, this week, like all good things, the streak came to an end. In fact, the 905 failed to win a game.

Here’s what happened the past week in the D-League for the 905.

Saturday Feb. 4th — vs. Grand Rapids Drive

Final Score: 122-115 for the Drive; the 905’s first road loss of the season.

Why is Axel Toupane Not in the NBA?

It has to be soon right? Right? Toupane should have been called up a long time ago. His presence is good for the 905, of course, as he continues to put in work and this game on the road was no different.

Toupane, in his super sixth man role, played in 31 minutes, chipping in 25 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds, while shooting 8-of-15 from the field. Axel was also tasked with guarding the Drive’s point guard or best player on the court for much of the game. Toupane is a premier defender in the D-League and definitely ready for the NBA.

Christian Watford, Welcome to the 905

Unlike his first game for the 905, Watford, recently acquired from the Mad Ants, produced off the bench. In this game, Watford played in 18 minutes, and put up 16 points, 5 rebounds and shot a very impressive 5-of-6 from the field and 4-of-4 from three. If Watford can do that every night (not the shooting, but hey that would be nice) the 905 will be very happy to have acquired him.

E.J. Singler Orders Up a Double-Double

Singler has been a consistent player for the 905 this season. When called upon Singler allows coach Jerry Stackhouse some flexibility with his lineup, as he’s able to put him at the 2 or the 3 spot. As well Singler adds another shooting threat, which is dangerous when Brady Heslip is also on the court lip. In this game, Singler played 36 minutes, put up 14 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assists and a steal.

Notes

• Brady Heslip went off for 22 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds and 6-of-12 from three.
• Negus Webster-Chan and Will Sheehey (hamstring) were the inactives as Goodluck Okonoboh was hit with a DNP-CD.

Tuesday Feb. 7th — vs. Fort Wayne Mad Ants

Final Score: 105-92 for the Mad Ants.

Brady “The Sharpshooter” Heslip

By now everyone knows how good of a shooter Brady Heslip is as some D-League commentators have even gone as far as call him the Steph Curry of the D-League. It’s a fitting nickname in one sense, and Heslip lives up to the shooting aspect of it. He’s shown he can pull up from virtually anywhere and knock down threes like it is nothing.

In this game Brady played in 33 minutes while adding 20 points and shooting 8-of-17 from the field and 4-of-11 from three. Heslip is currently leading the D-League in 3-point makes and should be going to the D-League All-Star game to participate in the 3-point contest.

Delon Wright Returns Again

With Fred VanVleet getting NBA minutes this past week, the Raptors assigned Wright to the D-League to get some more game action in, post-shoulder surgery. The shoulder is definitely healed, as Wright is not hesitant at all to make moves, take hits, and be a force on defense. In this game, Wright played in 34 minutes with 10 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, while shooting 4-of-6 from the field.

Antwaine Wiggins Produces Off the Bench

Wiggins has had an up-and-down role with the 905 this season, sometimes starting, sometimes not playing, mostly coming off the bench. Wiggins’ defense continues to be phenomenal for the team, as promised. In this game Wiggins came off the bench, and in 19 minutes put up 11 points, 4 rebounds and shot 4-of-5 from the field. Wiggins will inevitably end up with more minutes if/when Toupane gets called up to the NBA.

Notes

• Goodluck Okonoboh scored his first professional basket in this game as he had 4 points, 1 rebound and shot a perfect 2-of-2 in 5 minutes.
• Will Sheehey (hamstring) and Axel Toupane were the inactives in this one. No word yet as to what the situation is with Toupane.