.png)
2 weeks ago
15
Get the latest from Frank Zicarelli straight to your inbox
Published Dec 26, 2024 • 1 minute read
On throwback night that evoked memories of Vancouver and Toronto going toe to toe on the NBA stage, two Canadians stood out in a Boxing Day matchup featuring the host Grizzlies and visiting Raptors.
Advertisement 2
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
- Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
- Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
- Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
- Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
- Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
- Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Article content
Article content
Article content
For Toronto, it was RJ Barrett stepping up.
For Memphis, it was Toronto native Zach Edey disproving all the naysayers who were convinced his methodical game would not translate at the pro level.
Mind you, Edey’s night became less burdensome in the wake of Toronto big man Jakob Poeltl (groin) being unavailable.
When Memphis pushed the pace, the Raptors were overwhelmed in trailing by as many as 19 points.
When Toronto defended, it competed, but this night was all about offence with Barrett and Edey emerging among the game’s very best.
Barrett flirted with a triple-double, while Edey’s double-doubled helped pace the Grizzlies to their 155-126 win.
For the Raptors, it was their ninth straight loss as their road record dropped to 1-14
Advertisement 3
Article content
They can’t win without Poeltl’s presence, they don’t stand a chance when Scottie Barnes continues to shoot the basketball so miserably and they have absolutely no shot when their defence is so shoddy.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Edey was transformed into a modern day Wilt Chamberlain knowing a TV audience back home had tuned in to watch him play his hometown team for the first time.
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic had enough of the game’s officiating, his emotion and frustration boiling over two minutes into the fourth quarter when he was tossed.
By getting ejected, he took one for the team.
At least Rajakovic showed fight, but he did go way over the line and was justifiably ejected.
So many points yielded and yet at no point did the Raptors hold a lead.
Article content
Bengali (BD) · 
English (US) ·