According to Lori Ewing of the Canadian Press on Monday, the Toronto Raptors set a franchise record for most assists in a game with 40 when they beat the Charlotte Hornets 132-96 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. What was surprising is that the Raptors accomplished the feat even though their star point guard Kyle Lowry was out with a broken thumb.
In another bizarre turn of events, it was Marc Gasol, the Raptors center, that led the team in assists with nine. For his career, Gasol only averages 3.4 assists per game.
The Raptors definitely spread around the basketball with eight players recording an assist. Fred VanVleet had eight assists, Terence Davis had seven assists, Norman Powell had six assists, Pascal Siakam had five assists, OG Anunoby and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson each had two assists and Matt Thomas had one assist.
Over the last few years, starting when Dwane Casey was coaching Toronto, the Raptors have really preached passing the basketball, and on Monday they set a franchise record that promoted team work.
Toronto also beat Charlotte by 36 points in front of Canada’s two most high profile female superstars, who were sitting together in attendance. U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ontario and 100 metre freestyle Olympic swimming champion Penny Oleksiak of Toronto, Ontario were seen cheering for Toronto in excellent seats.
The Raptors might be a little concerned about the health of Anunoby however. Even though he led Toronto with 24 points, he had to leave the game in the third quarter after being elbowed in the face by Nicolas Batum.
With the win, the Raptors improved to a record of nine wins and four losses. They are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
