The most spectacular game of the Italian evening full of challenges is certainly that of Madison Square Garden, fought to the last possession and conquered by the Raptors who squeeze the starting quintet to the maximum (all with at least 30 minutes on the parquet), finding with OG Anunoby the decisive points in overtime, in a 10-point match for him, but decisive for impact on both sides of the field – just like a great Scottie Barnes with 26 points and 7 rebounds, glacial in the line in the final.
The trademark and some of the improbable baskets of the Raptors bear the signature of Fred VanVleet, author of 33 points with 5/13 from the arc and eight assists, while Pascal Siakam scored 20 points – inaccurate with his 7/19 overall and out in the final due to fouls that do not allow him to complete the triple double close with eight rebounds and nine assists (and three blocks). Fourth victory in the last five for the Canadians, who thus try to give continuity to a season that has been too up and down so far.
RJ Barrett’s 32-point performance ends with a defeat, signing the dunk in the last second of regulation which is worth the tie and which allows the Knicks to force overtime: for him 10/23 shooting with seven rebounds, a couple of assists and best scorer of a double-digit quintet in which Jalen Brunson puts in 26 (also not with great percentages, 11/29) and with Julius Randle who stops at 21 with the now usual 15 rebounds – very active under the basket in the last 10 days – and eight assists.