Toronto put Chicago away before the building had settled, scoring 43 points in the first quarter of a 135-92 win on Wednesday. There were no ties and no lead changes, and the Bulls called timeout 79 seconds in, already down 7-0.
Over by the Twelfth Minute
The first quarter ended 43-23 and decided the game. TSN's Josh Lewenberg counted 13 assists on Toronto's 14 first-quarter baskets. By his count the Raptors also held Chicago to 1-of-9 from three and won fast-break points 15-4. An 11-0 run across the quarter break pushed the score from 41-23 to 52-23, and Lewenberg had the lead at 69-44 by halftime. Chicago played without Nic Claxton, Jordan Hawkins and Dailyn Swain. Norman Powell got to the line, making 6 of 9 free throws, but he shot 2-of-8 from the field. The rest of the night belonged to the reserves. Allen Graves made his NBA debut, and Lewenberg noted that the rookie scored on his first shot, a putback off a Collin Murray-Boyles miss.
Grading the Core
Quickley gets an A. He made 5 of 7 shots, hit 4 of 6 threes, committed no turnovers and posted the best plus-minus on the team, +20 in 13 minutes. Lewenberg pointed out that a year ago Quickley opened the season 0-for-7 from deep. Scottie Barnes gets an A-minus. He shot 3-of-9 early but finished as the game's leading scorer with 23 points, six rebounds and five assists, and he was +18 in his first 12 minutes. Leonard gets a C. He went 1-of-9 from the field and 6-of-6 at the line, had two steals and was -4 in 10 minutes, the only Raptor with a negative mark. Lewenberg reported that Leonard missed all six of his attempts in the paint and put it down to a slow preseason ramp-up. Before tip-off, Darko Rajakovic said the team would be careful with Leonard's minutes. Jamison Battle's +18 in six minutes was the best stint off the bench.
What It Says, What Comes Next
Last season Toronto had the fifth-ranked defense and only the 14th-ranked offense. The plan to close that gap was on display here: Lewenberg counted 11 three-point attempts among Toronto's 24 first-quarter shots, and six of them went in. RJ Barrett added six points on 3-of-6 shooting and was +14 in 12 minutes. The Raptors now get two days off before a road back-to-back weekend: Friday at Washington, then Sunday at Minnesota. After that they come home for two games against Orlando on October 28 and October 30, and the second one counts toward the Emirates NBA Cup. Nate Bittle remains out with a right foot injury, with an estimated return of October 28.
Who led the Raptors in scoring against the Bulls?
Scottie Barnes led all scorers with 23 points, adding six rebounds and five assists in the 135-92 win.
How did Kawhi Leonard play in his first game back with the Raptors?
Leonard shot 1-of-9 from the field but made all six of his free throws and had two steals. Toronto is still easing him into heavier minutes.
