Raptor’s Top Draft Pick Leads Charge Against Magic
Posted December 13, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Raptors coach Sam Mitchell has stressed all along that No. 1 overall draft pick Andrea Bargnani was a work in progress, one that would require patience.
On Wednesday night, the rookie, and likely future star, helped the Raptors snap their four-game losing streak, scoring a season-high 23 points and adding six rebounds to lead Toronto to a 91-84 win over the Orlando Magic.
Bargnani nailed five three-pointers and finished 8-of-16 from the field while T.J. Ford added 14 points and five assists.
“Andrea got hot at the right moment and hit the big shots that saved us,” said Raptors centre Rasho Nesterovic.
“It’s tough to come in here from Europe as the No. 1 pick because a lot is expected, but give him time and he’ll be one of the best players in the league.”
The lanky Italian hit three straight three-pointers to start the fourth quarter, giving the Raptors the momentum they needed to pull out the win.
“They were important shots,” Bargnani said. “One day they go in, one day they go out.
“I’m still learning about this league.”
And while the Raptors were celebrating their win, the Magic were expressing their disappointment.
“We had too many guys trying to win the game single-handedly instead of playing together like a team,” Magic coach Brian Hill said. “We’ve got some injuries and the guys are probably tired, but that’s the way it goes in this league.
“We’ve got to play better.”
