Toronto Raptors battle to win season opener vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Posted October 19, 2022 10:29 pm.
Last Updated October 20, 2022 10:51 am.
Six Toronto Raptors scored in double figures en route to a 108-105 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers to kick off the NBA regular season at Scotiabank Arena.
Pascal Siakam had a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Gary Trent Jr. added 19 points (4-8 from deep). OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet and Scottie Barnes, the other Raptors starters, all scored in double figures. Precious Achiuwa had 10 points off the bench.
Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell had a game-high 31 points, his first regular-season appearance with Cleveland following an off-season trade from Utah, where he played for five years.
Both teams went back and forth for most of the night, but the Raptors broke out in a big way in the final quarter, outscoring the Cavs 32-21. The Raptors also benefitted by forcing turnovers with 14 steals on Wednesday night compared to only five from Cleveland players.
Rookie big man Christian Koloko, whom the Raptors selected in the 2nd round (33rd overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft, made his debut and performed well, particularly on the defensive end, with six rebounds and a blocked shot. He finished a +3.
It’s Toronto’s first win on opening night since the 2019-2020 season when the Raptors beat the New Orleans Pelicans 130-122 in overtime.
On Friday, the Raptors will travel to Brooklyn to face Kevin Durant and the Nets on the road. The Nets dropped their season opener 130-108 at home against the Pelicans.
