Various things from Raptors NBA Cup loss to Knicks last night: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Last time Raptors were in a knockout game they blew a 19-point lead. New York has led by as many as 18 in this one and by 17 at halftime.

For a guy who was a gametime decision, Karl-Anthony Towns has looked damn good. Blocked Barnes into the second row and dunked on two Raptors. 8 and 6 in 11 minutes. Meow.

1996 trade for Doug Christie: Advantage Raptors 1997 QRich for John Wallace: Adv. Knicks 1998 Oakley-Camby: Debatable 2000 playoffs: Adv. Knicks 2001 playoffs: Raptors 2001 Bogues/Jax for Childs, Rush: Raptors 2013 Bargnani for Poeltl: Raptors OG for RJ/IQ: Adv. Knicks Lawsuit: Raptors NBA Cup: ?

Brandon Ingram and Jalen Brunson in first quarter: 13-for-16 for 37 points Everyone else: 15-for-30 for 37 points.

Scottie Barnes to me last week: "NBA Cup is a pretty big deal. With the schedule that we have, we didn't have that many (U.S.) TV games...gonna give us some more exposure, give us some more television time. Keep trying to put the word on us, what we can do and the team we have."

Raptors CEltics takeaways: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

This is high praise, but there's some Tim Hardaway UTEP Two-Step in Jamal Shead's crossover.

Somehow its a seven point game. Brandon Ingram has found whatever had been missing recently, he's been awesome. Barnes solid, Mamu and Quickley good, Agbaji providing a lift. Glad to see CMB on floor after only 2 minutes in first half.

How many times can I write something that includes me wondering why Bobby won't trade for another 7-footer? (Yes, Dec, 15 should open more options and maybe that's what the holdup is). Poeltl clearly not 100%. Usually goes Wilt Chamberlain on Celtics but has been a liability.

Boston scoring at will early on. Even without Jayson Tatum, they have been the second-best offensive team in NBA so far, behind only Denver in offensive rating.

With Chris Boucher making his return to Toronto this afternoon, here's the exit interview I did with him last April. He'll be recognized ahead of the game by Raptors: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Wrote about the tired Raptors, keying on Brandon Ingram in uncharted waters. Plus, Bobby please get another 7-footer: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Ku ROCK o ... omfg!!!!

How does Gretzky mispronounce Jordan? Michael Jordan was his contemporary!

This has BIG impact in 🇨🇦. Many people subscribe to Crave for HBO content. That content will now be on Netflix. Leaving Crave with???? This is the sports content domino. Bell eyeing NHL games through Amazon for Crave & maybe RDS takes over french NHL rights too...

Collin Murray-Boyles to me about facing his GOAT LeBron: “Obviously at first you’re going to be like: ‘Damn, that’s really him.’ But you got to cut that shit out quick, because you’ve got to play him. Attack him, you can’t be scared out there," he said.

Also from tonight, LeBron James unplugged on criticism, making the right play, feeling the love in Toronto, Brandon Ingram: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

LeBron James on what feelings he had on his streak ending? “None. We won.”

Most points in a game at Toronto by an opponent last 7 seasons: Kevin Durant 51 Tyrese Maxey 44 Jordan Poole 43 Austin Reaves 42 (tonight with 3:57 left) Nikola Jokic and Jayson Tatum 40

LeBron James has had 0 free throw attempts in a game 36 times. Right now he's looking at 37. His double-digit scoring streak is on the line.

This is LeBron’s 37th career game in Toronto, including playoffs. He hasn't lost here since March 14, 2019 and is 10-2 over his last 12 visits. He's 26-10 here all-time. Is it his last game in Canada? Wouldn't bet on it. Has always struck me as somebody who'll want to do the farewell tour

1. Jose Calderon Dell Curry Anthony Parker Chris Boucher Sandro Mamukelashvili Jamario Moon Bismack Biyombo Jorge Garbajosa (Not counting FVV) 2. Antonio Davis Jonas Valanciunas Serge Ibaka Marc Gasol Jakob Poeltl (Amir Johnson would be there but played only 20% at C)

Wol-stat of the day: Tonight will be the 31st regular season game for LeBron James at Toronto. He needs one more to tie Paul Pierce for the most of any opponent. Including playoffs, LeBron has easily played the most of any visitor here. Luka Doncic stays at 6 games here.

From yesterday, Raptors report cards with a bit over 25% of the regular season completed: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Talked to Scottie Barnes about not changing his name to Scotties, endorsements in Canada, why winning is everything and getting his joy for the game back with the Raptors: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Talked to Scottie Barnes about not changing his name to Scotties, endorsements in Canada, why winning is everything and getting his joy for the game back with the Raptors: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

That's a rough Raptors collapse, but, still one of the best Toronto starts through 20 games: 16-4 (2018-19) 15-5 (2014-15, '19-20) 14-6 (2016-17, 2025-26) 13-7 (2017-18) Last year started 5-15

The Raptors will host the Knicks in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Dec 9 or 10, with the winner advancing to the semifinals in Vegas to face whoever comes out of Magic-Heat. Magic (GB winner): 4-0, +64 Raptors (GA winner): 4-0, +55 Knicks (GC winner): 3-1, +35 Heat (WC): 3-1, +49

Good news from Raptors on RJ Barrett; “revealed no structural damage to the right knee of guard-forward RJ Barrett. He has been diagnosed with a sprain and will be reevaluated in seven days. His condition will then be updated as appropriate.”

Asked Brandon Ingram if he's learned anything from being Jakob Poeltl's teammate vs. opponent. Interesting to hear B.I. say Jak was one of reasons he wanted to come to Toronto. "I knew he was going to make the game a little bit easier for me and I knew he’d do the dirty work."

From last night on the Raptors coming together with Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes leading the way: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Darko Rajakovic shouts out Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett: "It's amazing what he does for us, how many winning plays he just makes over the course of the game. And I don't want that to be unnoticed, by the way, this win , we want to dedicate his to RJ, who's not with us tonight."

Best Raptors starts through 18 games: 14-4 (2014-15, 2018-19, 2019-20) 13-5 (2025-26) 12-6 (1999-2000, 2016-17) 11-7 (2001-02, 2015-16, 2017-18) This is Toronto's best start other than three during We the North Era.

And his old Lakers and Pelicans pal Lonzo Ball is trying to guard him (doing better than most, but still not enough).

Shead has made two fantastic passes while in the paint to Sandro Mamukelashvili for buckets. Mamu might be Toronto's top #Sheadhead

Vo-Show cost them LeBron! Too smooth.

Where does Brandon Ingram rank in best pure scorers to play for Raptors? Kawhi's at the top for me, Prime Vince too. Ingram makes it look even easier than Bosh or DeMar did imo.

If Jamal Shead doesn't make the NBA's rookie sophomore game, somebody royally messed up.

Raptors got good news on RJ Barrett injury front, but for now, Ja'Kobe Walter will start and Gradey Dick and Ochai Agbaji will also have to step up: torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Nets coach Jordi Fernandez just got a technical foul for quitting the Canadian basketball program.

Strong coaching from Darko Rajakovic and Raptors staff to keep Ja’Kobe Walter confident when things weren’t going his way/minutes were limited early on. Darko talked him up personally and to media and he’s responded. I’ve resided on Walter Island from the start, so good to see.

The contrast of watching the Maple Leafs play like heartless, clueless dogs and the Raptors constantly going all out and playing together is jarring.

Wrote on NBA Cup fever as meaningful Raptors basketball returns to Toronto. Also, Brandon Ingram looked no worse for wear post-game other than an ice bath for ankles. torontosun.com/sports/baske...

Screwed up original post somehow. Best Toronto Raptors starts through 16 games: 13-3 (2014-15) 12-4 (2018-19, 2019-20) 11-5 (2017-18 2025-26) 10-6 (1999-2000, 2001-02, 2015-16, 2016-17)

Meanwhile, incredible stuff elsewhere. Is Jokic the 4? Jonas has always been a power centre, him at power forward would be something.

Cambridge Ontario's own Will Riley gets on the board here in the fourth quarter. Cool for the rookie to play and score at home. Wizards coach Brian Keefe talked up Riley (and Canuck Kyshawn George) pre-game. Franchise is high on both. George having breakout sophomore season.