The defending champion Toronto Raptors avoided disaster on Opening Night. To think about how Jurassic Park would’ve handled a loss on such a special day…phew.
Thanks to a pre-game ceremony that featured big things, big rings, and rich men awkwardly hugging, the defending champs got off to a slow start and ultimately needed overtime to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 130-122. Toronto ultimately was led by Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet who both finished with 34 points in the win.
The home team had five players finish in double figures, more than half the team, as Nick Nurse opted to roll with a tight, eight-man rotation on Opening Night.