Brady Heslip Drops 13 points in Nine Minutes for Toronto Raptors
Burlington, Ontario’s Brady Heslip made his mark as a Toronto Raptor last night. making the most of his nine minutes, finishing with 13 points on 5/6 from the field.
However, Blake Griffin wouldn’t take his foot off the gas, posting 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals on 10 for 13 shooting, as he led the Los Angeles Clippers to a 104-98 preseason win against the Raptors.
.@BMO Game Highlights // #RapsClips
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) October 6, 2016
Griffin played with an extended range from previous seasons, regularly connecting on mid-range jumpers has he has hit consistently over his career, but also stepping behind the arc to connect on 2 of 3 from 3-point range. Griffin also connected on one shoe to the face, after picking up a teammates lost shoe and trying to throw it to the sideline mid-play, only to connect with Cory Joseph.
Clearly Cory Joseph was unimpressed with the defensive maneuver, calling for repercussions from the front office.
Hey @Cory_Joe, how'd you feel about gettin' hit by a shoe? https://t.co/yK9Kuh3OuN
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) October 6, 2016
The Clippers, who fell to the Warriors by 45 the previous night, bounced back against the Raptors, and dominated for the first three quarters of play. Chris Paul added 15 assists in the win, while DeAndre had a double double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
"I think everyone came in really hungry and ready to play." – @bradyheslip (13p) on how he & the bench fought their way back into the game. pic.twitter.com/YskkvYpMPA
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) October 6, 2016
The Raptors picked up the pace in the fourth quarter however, led by a blazing performance from Canadian Brady Heslip, helping the Raptors inch within one point while going on a 19-0 run. Raymond Felton swiftly ended the comeback after scoring six straight points in the final 37 seconds to extended the Clippers lead from two, and finish the game with a six point win.
Toronto used the opportunity to rest up starters Kyle Lowry and Jared Sullinger, who did not play by coach’s decision against the Clips. DeMar DeRozan led all Raptors with 20 points while going 8 for 11 from the field and 4 for 5 from the free throw line.
Toronto, who now sits 1-2 in the preseason, heads to Cleveland next Wednesday to take on the defending champion Cavaliers.
