The Toronto Raptors-San Antonio Spurs matchup had extra flavor behind it at the AT&T Center following the major trade that saw the swapping of two stars in DeMar DeRozan and Kawhi Leonard. Thursday was the first time the two teams have played since that deal, which was the return of Leonard to San Antonio. Following all the drama that surrounded him during his last season with the team, he received plenty of boos during the pregame announcements. He later faced the chants of "traitor" and "quitter" while shooting free throws, and his team never really had a shot on the road in a 125-107 loss to the rejuvenated Spurs. DeRozan had a much better time against his former team, recording his first-career triple-double in the victory.
DeRozan finished with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists, as the Spurs moved up in to the sixth playoff spot in the Western Conference with their 22nd victory. The former Raptors star, who was seen talking to his good friend, Kyle Lowry, on the sidelines during the game, claimed that he was not putting too much pressure on himself for this contest. It sure did look like he followed that mindset, as he scored 19 of his points in the first half to stun his old teammates.
Leonard finished with 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting against his former team, overcoming a slow start to have a nice night. He did receive a tribute video, along with Danny Green, who was also in the off-season trade, but the fans just were not having it. Despite Kawhi winning a Finals MVP within his seven seasons with San Antonio, his failure to show up last season, inform the team of his health, which led to him requesting a trade just doesn't sit right with the Spurs fan base.
LaMarcus Aldridge added on with 23 points for San Antonio, who also got 20 points from Bryn Forbes, 19 from Derrick White, and 13 from Rudy Gay. DeRozan became the first Spurs player to record a triple-double on their home floor since Tim Duncan did it in 2003. It took him 713 career NBA games to get his first triple-double, and his efforts helped the Spurs lead by as many as 26 points. After a 2-0 advantage, the Raptors did not lead the rest of the way.
Leonard has to be relieved that the return for him has now come and gone, as his team moves on to visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night. They hold a one-game lead on Milwaukee, and a half-game lead on the Indiana Pacers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Spurs, who have a half-game lead for the sixth seed in the West, will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. The Grizzlies will look a bit different after acquiring Justin Holiday from the Chicago Bulls for Wayne Seldon, MarShon Brooks, and two draft picks.
DeRozan finished with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists, as the Spurs moved up in to the sixth playoff spot in the Western Conference with their 22nd victory. The former Raptors star, who was seen talking to his good friend, Kyle Lowry, on the sidelines during the game, claimed that he was not putting too much pressure on himself for this contest. It sure did look like he followed that mindset, as he scored 19 of his points in the first half to stun his old teammates.
Leonard finished with 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting against his former team, overcoming a slow start to have a nice night. He did receive a tribute video, along with Danny Green, who was also in the off-season trade, but the fans just were not having it. Despite Kawhi winning a Finals MVP within his seven seasons with San Antonio, his failure to show up last season, inform the team of his health, which led to him requesting a trade just doesn't sit right with the Spurs fan base.
LaMarcus Aldridge added on with 23 points for San Antonio, who also got 20 points from Bryn Forbes, 19 from Derrick White, and 13 from Rudy Gay. DeRozan became the first Spurs player to record a triple-double on their home floor since Tim Duncan did it in 2003. It took him 713 career NBA games to get his first triple-double, and his efforts helped the Spurs lead by as many as 26 points. After a 2-0 advantage, the Raptors did not lead the rest of the way.
Leonard has to be relieved that the return for him has now come and gone, as his team moves on to visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night. They hold a one-game lead on Milwaukee, and a half-game lead on the Indiana Pacers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Spurs, who have a half-game lead for the sixth seed in the West, will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. The Grizzlies will look a bit different after acquiring Justin Holiday from the Chicago Bulls for Wayne Seldon, MarShon Brooks, and two draft picks.
