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G League Grand Rapids Drive

Raptors Snuff out Drive's Offense

March 23, 2017 - NBA G League (G League)
Grand Rapids Drive News Release


GRAND RAPIDS- Raptors 905 (35-11) did not have much trouble with the Grand Rapids Drive (22-23) on Wednesday night, cruising to a 112-87 win and avenging a comeback win by the Drive on Feb. 4.

Grand Rapids overcame an 18-point deficit in that game, but had no such luck this time around. The 905 looked the part of the team with the best record and defense in the D-League, as they never trailed in the game. They dominated the early portion of the game, holding the Drive to a season-low 12 first-quarter points. They scored the game's first nine points and 14 of the first 17 points. The Drive closed the lead down to nine early in the third quarter, but it did not take too long for the Raptors to respond.

Brady Heslip scored 22 point to lead the 905 in scoring, making six three-pointers. Four other players scored in double figures, with Axel Toupane, Edy Tavares and EJ Singler each recording double-doubles with points and rebounds. Tavares had 12 rebound and Toupane 19 points for the high marks of that group.

Kevin Murphy scored 26 points to lead Grand Rapids and Henry Ellenson, playing on assignment from the Detroit Pistons, scored 19 points.

In addition to the new season low in first-quarter points, the Drive shot just 28 percent from the field which also represented their worst mark of the season. They narrowly avoided a new season low from behind the arc as well, shooting 19 percent. Lorenzo Brown and Ray McCallum, the Drive's starting backcourt and two of their top scorers, combined to go 4-of-25, with McCallum missing all nine of his field goal attempts. Ellenson also was just 4-of-15 from the field despite his 19 points.

In contrast, the 905 were extremely efficient, hitting the vaunte 50-40-90 line as a team. They shot 51 percent from the field, 43 percent from three-point range and 92 percent from the line.

The 905 will try and keep the ball rolling against the Erie BayHawks on March 24. The Drive play the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in each of their next two games, the first of which comes on the road on Friday.

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