Toronto Raptors 117 Denver Nuggets 109
The Raptors rested their core players Friday afternoon against the Denver Nuggets.
Toronto sat out Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, Serge Ibaka, O.G. Anunoby, and Pascal Siakam in their last regular season game.
Without their starters and key bench players Toronto did not miss a beat as they took down the Nuggets.
The Nuggets who finished third place in the western conference this season were little match for the reigning NBA champions.
With the win Toronto improved to 7-1 in the NBA restart and finished in second place in the eastern conference this season.
In their last game before the playoffs begin Toronto’s bench players looked sharp.
Stanley Johnson led the way for Toronto scoring 23 points while adding 6 assists in 29 minutes off the bench.
Paul Watson also had a big game for the Raps, scoring 22 points and grabbing 6 rebounds.
The high man for Denver on Friday was P.J. Dozier who scored 20 points in 31 minutes off the bench.
The Raptors shot fifty percent from the field and fifty one percent from beyond the arc on Friday.
Toronto also dominated on the glass against Denver, out rebounding the Nuggets 51-41.
Defense was the key for Toronto all season and it showed in the bubble.
Toronto’s defensive numbers were nothing short of fantastic and have many picking Toronto to get to the eastern conference finals.
The Raptors will now refocus as they prepare for their first round playoff matchup against the Brooklyn Nets.
Toronto now gets some much needed rest before the playoffs begin on Monday.
The Raptors and Nets will play game one at 4:00 pm EST.
