"I'm happy we're seeing this in December and not in April. We'll be better for it." - Ingram on zone defence being thrown at them repeatedly tonight + in last few games

"Maybe I need to cut my fingernails. I thought I got it off." - Ingram

Would have been on the Mount Rushmore of Regular Season Raptors buzzer beaters with MoPete/Michael Ruffin and the Vince shots in 00/01

By nature, young guys are inconsistent. Saved a game on Monday, blew this one. So it goes.

Bruce Brown misses a pair of free throws, Ingram hits a crazy 3, banked in, but it will be reviewed. In real time I don't think he got it off.

Raps inexcusably let up layup over top on inbound pass, and it's 106-103 Denver with 13.7 left. Raps call timeout, and both teams are all out now.

The bench is 6 for 34 from the field, 0 for 18 from 3 for an eFG% of -3.8%.

Raps getting some truly awful shots late. Somehow, they're within 1, 20.2 left, Nuggets ball.

Really nice patience from both BI and Shead, leading to a BI 3. Tie game, both teams shooting free throws.

A pretty weird challenge from Adelman, as the Raptors had imminent possession even if the call was overturned. It wasn't.

RJ Barrett in semi-transition, you have been missed.

Raps play a pretty great third quarter, only to completely lose plot at end. 85-79 Nuggets after 3. Ingram has 24, Barnes has 16/9/8. 20 for Watson, 15/6/5 for Murray, 17/9/4 for an injured JV.

Crap, JV limping off. This isn't gonna make the Jokic absence any easier.

(It should be fired into the sun.)

If you're wondering, there is an EDM version of Auld Lang Syne.

Scottie and CMB literally switching their assignments, who are Jamal Murray and JV. The future is here, and it has broad shoulders and a wide base!

CMB starts second half for Ochai.

Tonight at the half, Scottie, BI and IQ have 42 points on 13-for-28 shooting at the half, and yet the Raptors, as on Monday, trail — this time 63-54. As Dwane Casey always said, there are multiple ways to skin a cat. Payton Watson has 18 points.

Raptors bench from 3

Assuming he finds an offensive role to play often enough, Collin Murray-Boyles is making at least one All-Defense team.

Raps analysis: woof. They'll probably win.

Nuggets up 32-23, and I'm not sure which end the Raptors were worse on. Scottie and BI have combined for 21 of Raps' 23, which probably isn't a roadmap to a win. Everyone else is 1 for 15. Murray and JV have 8 apiece.

8 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 9 minutes? More like Jokic Valanciunas.

The Nuggets' zone defence is confusing the hell out of the Raptors.

A very tame mixed reaction for Bruce Brown's return.

Murray hits two impossible off-the-bounce 3s, and here comes Jamal Shead.

In January, the Raptors will play 9 consecutive games in cities where they play just once before needing to leave. 1/14: @ IND 1/16: vs. LAC (@ TOR) 1/18: @ LAL 1/20: @ GSW 1/21: @ SAC 1/23: @ POR 1/25: @ OKC 1/28: vs. NYK (@ TOR) 1/30: @ ORL They finish pre-ASB with 5 consecutive home games.

IQ/RJ/Agbaji/Barnes/BI for Raps. Murray, Pickett, Jones, Watson, JV for Denver.

RJ is on a minutes restriction but he is a go for tonight

Two hours before game, Darko Rajakovic and Nikola Jokic having a chat in the bowels of SBA.

Remember when Bo hit that three run homer leading the Jays to win the World Series?

Richard is a great teammate and always thoughtful about what he covers, or anything else. I'll miss working with him.

Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.

My man Es has a video up on @theathletic.com about the best defender nobody except Darko Rajakovic talks about

Shouts to @jledwardsiii.bsky.social for getting this tremendous quote from OG Anunoby: www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...

Jakob Poeltl remains out for the Raptors on Wednesday. RJ Barrett will play. Mogbo & 2-ways with 905 but at home so could be recalled.

On the youths, who the Raptors need badly

Ban injuries, you cowards.

On the youths, who the Raptors need badly

'Topes win! 107-106. Banchero misses a 3 at buzzer after Scottie stops a brief attempt to drive. A very unlikely 2-0 back-to-back. 19 and 5 for Shead, 12 rebounds for CMB, 13 and 11 for Barnes. 27 for Black, 18 for Bane.

WALTER missed a pair of open 3s here. Magic have ball with 6 seconds left, down 1. Not a great look from BI, especially on 2nd half of a B2B

Ingram. jumper, Ingram block. P. good! Free throws the rest of the way for both teams.

It's tied. Unsung hero?

The Raptors have hit two (2) 3s in a row and are within two points.

Electric night from Anthony Black. Meanwhile, Banchero has 23/14/10

IQ can have an off shooting night, but he can't allow a late first-round rookie to zip by him on consecutive possessions.

Magic up 94-84 after 3. Raps had it down to 5, but they can't hit a dang jumper. Starters are 0 for 17 from 3.

This is one of those nights when Banchero looks like one of the 10 best players in the world.

Not only are Scottie, Ingram and IQ 6 for 29 tonight, but they've combined to attempt one free throw.