Kofi Inkoom
The Portland Trail Blazers, initially labeled as the underdogs, defied expectations in tonight’s clash against the Toronto Raptors. They triumphed, marking their first victory in the post-Damian Lillard era in regular season.
Jerami Grant showcased his prowess with an impressive 22-point performance, propelling the Trail Blazers to a 99-91 win over the Raptors on this particular Monday.
Malcolm Brogdon, coming off the bench, added another 21 points to the scoreboard for Portland, now boasting a 1-3 record.
Brogdon Baby!!!! pic.twitter.com/S6EoRz70r6
— Viral_load (@Viralload233) October 31, 2023
Deandre Ayton made a remarkable contribution with 10 points and a staggering 23 rebounds, setting a new career high for rebounds.
This achievement places him among the elite 11 Blazers who have recorded 23 or more rebounds in a game.
DeAndre Ayton vs Toronto Raptors pic.twitter.com/wGBjXIYAM8
— NBArepublic.com (@nba_republic) October 31, 2023
In a league-leading display, Ayton hauled in a career-high 23 rebounds during the victory in Toronto, making it the most by any player in the current season. This marks his fifth game with 20+ rebounds in his career.
Shaedon Sharpe, a sophomore, displayed his prowess with 14 points, while Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam led the charge for Toronto, each notching 20 points.
Shaedon Sharpe needs gravity to be defined for him. pic.twitter.com/BEmjXH0TIC
— Jabari Walker’s Revenge (@OSportsU) October 31, 2023
It’s worth noting that the Raptors entered the game with a reputation for three-point shooting, but on this particular night, they struggled mightily, only making 4 of their 29 attempts from beyond the arc.
Their saving grace was their ability to garner 60 points in the paint, which kept the game competitive.
Although the Raptors initially surged with an 8-2 run in the first quarter, the Trail Blazers countered adeptly.
Their five successful three-point shots in the first half, along with the Raptors’ struggles from beyond the arc, kept the game close at 25-21 by halftime.
Portland seized its first lead early in the second quarter, thanks in part to Sharpe’s steal and fast break dunk.
While the Raptors managed to tie the game several times, the Blazers remained resilient. The game evolved into a back-and-forth contest.
As the game progressed, Scottie Barnes took control in the third quarter, but the Blazers orchestrated an 11-0 run to erase a 68-65 deficit.
With Gradey Dick chipping in for Toronto, Malcolm Brogdon’s layup closed the quarter with Portland ahead at 80-74.
The final quarter saw the Raptors making a brief push, but the Blazers, led by Brogdon and Grant, secured an 11-4 run in the closing seconds, ultimately sealing a well-earned victory.
Sporting a (1-3) record, the Trail Blazers are now preparing for their upcoming matchup against the Detroit Pistons on the road.