LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The Toronto Raptors kicked off their Summer League campaign with a hard-fought 83-74 loss to the Chicago Bulls at the Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas on Friday.
Rookie Gradey Dick, the Raptors’ 13th overall pick in this year’s Draft, was the player most fans had their eye on. He finished with 10 points, four rebounds and two assists. His first make as a Raptor came on a catch-and-shoot look from the corner after missing his first four attempts from the field.
Much of the issues with shooting that the Raptors dealt with in the regular season last year manifested themselves in their first game in Las Vegas. Dick, who shot 40.3 per cent from deep in his year at Kansas, didn’t manage to solve the problems in his first game as a Raptor, shooting 3-for-12 from the field and 2-for-9 from deep.
Despite an inefficient game, Dick was aggressive, jumping passing lanes on defence to notch three steals, and attacking closeouts on offence to get better looks from the midrange.
With a good chunk of the Raptors’ young core in attendance including Scottie Barnes and Precious Achiuwa, a few members of Toronto’s Summer League squad showed what they could bring to the senior team.
Markquis Nowell, the undrafted five-foot-seven Kansas State product, was guarded by Bulls’ sophomore Dalen Terry early on, who possesses a full-foot height difference over his counterpart. That matchup didn’t deter the dynamic Nowell, who scored 17 points, dished out five assists and had three steals. He also hit a couple of impressive long-range three-pointers, harkening shades of former Raptors guard Fred VanVleet.
Moses Brown, a seven-foot-two centre who has played for six teams (not including the Raptors) in his four-year career, had a strong performance, finishing with an efficient 14 points, nine rebounds and four blocks.
The pairing between Nowell and Brown, the shortest and tallest guys on the floor, was potent for the Raptors. Nowell found Brown down low a couple of times, including a smooth no-look feed to get him an easy bucket.
The Bulls also had some players in attendance including former Raptor DeMar DeRozan. A handful of youngsters showed their stuff in front of him, with Halifax, N.S. native Nate Darling leading the way with 15 points on 3-for-7 from long range and two steals.
Terry, the second-year guard out of Arizona and the prospect to watch for Chicago, didn’t have a great game at his second Summer League, scoring 10 points on an inefficient 4-for-14 from the field.
The Raptors’ next matchup will come against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, July 9 at 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT. You can watch the game on Sportsnet 360 or Sportsnet NOW.
