Barnes, Battle erupt, but Raptors end 30th season with loss

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The 30th anniversary game for Toronto Raptors basketball is over.

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It ended a meaningless game in San Antonio on Sunday, which kept Toronto on a week-long rest trend. Scottie Barnes is the only regular starter to join, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl and Brandon Ingram No-Gos, as well as Ja’Kobe Walter and Scholdy Dick.

San Antonio has long had stars Victor Wembanyama and De’aaron Fox, but there were a lot of other absences on Sunday.

Despite not queuing, Toronto played hard, especially in the first half, the Spurs did not give up after being trailed by as many as 22 points, but instead reintegrated into the game rather than considering the upcoming off-season plan. Finally, despite Barnes’ 35 points, the Spurs won 125-118 with a career-high score, with rookie Jamison Battle having 25 points. The battle nailed 7 3-pointers with a large number of 15 attempts. Toronto also scored 14 assists and 10 rebounds from rookie Jonathan Mogbo, who is away from another triple-double. Stephon Castle has 20 Rookies of the Year for the Spurs, while Keldon Johnson has 23 on the bench.

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Toronto led five times after a quarter, 20 at halftime. However, the Spurs eliminated and sent the game to the fourth quarter with a 17-4 record, tied with an 83 score.

The team fought from there, but the Spurs had enough victory, despite 37 minutes from Barnes, but he was the most since February 21.

It was the second time the Raptors finished the game 30-52, and it was also the 1996-97 game, which lost at least 25 road games for the fourth time in five seasons.

Overall, Barrett led the team with a score of 21.8 per night after being acquired last season, leading by 21 points per game, Barnes steals in assists and steals, and poeltl in rebounds, blocks, blocks and shots. The battle hits over 40% of the 3-pointers, leading the team, the battle is undrafted free agent, and also has high hits with three-pointers and free throws. Shead is the 45th pick, ranking third in assists per game and tied for fourth with Mogbo, the only rookie in triple-double this season with steals per game.

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While this wasn’t the traction of 2016, the Toronto front desk was outstanding in 2024, and Walter was also impressed at times when Toronto picked Jakob Poeltl and Pascal Siakam and landed Fred Vanvleet as an undrafted free agent.

The team will gather at the training facility Monday morning for meetings and medical services before taking a separate approach until many re-join in Las Vegas before the NBA Summer League in July. Featured players will talk to the media before leaving Monday, with head coach Darko Rajakovic and executives following in the coming days.

@wolstatsun

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