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LVSL Round 2: Raptors 75, Warriors 69

Holly MacKenzie - Raptors.com

IT WAS OVER WHEN

Drew Crawford calmly sank two free throws with 23.8 seconds remaining to put Toronto ahead by six after a hectic push by the Warriors. A close game throughout, the Raptors took control late when they reeled off a 14-1 run before the Golden State flurry. Crawford’s free throws closed out the scoring and Toronto held on for the 75-69 victory. The win moves the Raptors to 4-0 in Vegas.

BACK IN TORONTO

While the Raptors summer league team was waiting around for their 7 P.M. PT tip off time, back in Toronto DeMar DeRozan signed his five-year extension and met with with the media to discuss his decision to stay with the only professional team he’s ever played for.

SULLINGER MEETS THE PRESS

The Raptors also announced the signing of former Celtics forward Jared Sullinger. Drafted 21st overall in 2012, Sullinger averaged 10.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 23.6 minutes last season.

SLOW START

The Warriors kept the pace with Toronto in the first half, keeping things close as the Raptors went into the half with a four-point lead. Norman Powell was limited to just 8:27 minutes in the half after picking up three quick fouls.

SIAKAM PRESENT

Pascal Siakam did not suit up for Thursday’s game, but he was back with his teammates on the bench after missing Monday’s win against the Dallas Mavericks. Siakam was absent during Monday’s contest because he was attending to visa issues before traveling to Toronto for his introductory press conference.

SCARY SIGHT

It was a scary moment for Raptors fans when Norman Powell went down awkwardly after taking a knee to the thigh early in the third quarter. Powell remained on the ground for a few minutes before slowly getting helped up and off the floor. Powell was assessed a left thigh contusion and returned to the game without incident, but it didn’t look very fun.

ROOKIE WATCH

Jakob Poeltl had a seven-point, seven-rebound effort against the Warriors. He added an assist, a steal and a blocked shot in 24 minutes of action, and shot 2-for-4 from the floor and 3-for-4 from the free throw line.

RAPTORS PLAYER OF THE GAME

Another game, another standout performance from Norman Powell. Despite the thigh contusion in the third, Powell returned to the floor to score a team-high 17 points on 4-for-9 field goals. He added two rebounds and two steals, and had another busy night at the free throw line, making 8-of-10 attempts. Though four summer league games, Powell has attempted 31 free throws.

THEY SAID IT IN TORONTO

“I couldn’t have imagined it. I honestly couldn’t have imagined it. Even when I think about it now, I didn't have a passport until I came here and worked out. I’d never been in snow. I still was wearing Chuck Taylors in the wintertime. Just to look at how far I’ve came. It’s crazy.”- DeMar DeRozan reflecting on arriving in Toronto as a 19-year-old rookie

“What a great day for us. You look at this young man herring to me I get emotional because there’s nobody that has done it with more class. More dignity. More passion. I spend every day with this kid here and this is a blessed day for the Raptors.”- Masai Ujiri on DeMar DeRozan

“I talked to Amir while I was in vegas. Amir said it’s a beautiful city. He didn’t want to leave. He said the fans are unbelievable. He said Toronto made him who he is today. When you hear stuff like that, especially from Amir, being able to know Amir, everything he’s done, everything he’s been through, it means everything coming from Amir.”- Jared Sullinger on asking former Celtics teammate Amir Johnson about his time in Toronto

BY THE #’S

13…Points on 3-for-7 field goals, 6-for-6 free throws for Drew Crawford off the bench.

40…Free throw attempts for Toronto compared to just 12 for the Warriors.

17…Turnovers for Golden State. 13 for Toronto.

12…Points, two rebounds, an assist, and a spectacular blocked shot for Bruno Caboclo

20…The Raptors were a +20 with Delon Wright on the floor. Wright played 30 minutes and finished with 11 points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal.

UP NEXT:

The Raptors will face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday afternoon at 4 P.M. ET.