Toronto Raptors suffer tough loss to Denver Nuggets 133-118
The short handed Raptors went into their road matchup with the Denver Nuggets on Sunday with just 8 players.
In an already tough environment due to the elevation in Denver the Raptors were up against.
Missing key players Fred VanFleet, Serge Ibaka, and Marc Gasol the Raptors struggled defensively.
With their two paint protectors and top defensive bigs the Raptors had trouble with the Denver bigs.
The Raptors were also unable to keep a the high scoring Nuggets contained from behind the arc.
Denver would shoot 56 percent from the floor while shooting 50 percent from behind the arc.
The Nuggets were led by Canadian Jamal Murray and all star centre Nikola Jokic.
Toronto could do nothing to slow down Jokic with Gasol and Ibaka out. Jokic would finish with 23 points 18 rebounds and 11 assists.
Murray also played well finishing with 22 points and 5 assists.
The Nuggets had eight players finish in double figures in the contest on Sunday.
Toronto struggled against the Nuggets, shooting just 26 percent from behind the three line.
The Raptors OG Anunoby had a strong game finishing with 32 points and 7 rebounds.
Norman Powell also had a strong game in his second game back since returning from injury.
Powell scored 24 points in the game while grabbing 6 rebounds in 40 minutes of play.
With the loss the Raptors have now lost their third game in a row.
The Raptors now sit just one game ahead of the Boston Celtics in the eastern conference.
Toronto will look to get back in the win column Tuesday night when they take on the Phoenix Suns.
Tip off is 9pm EST.
