Mar 17, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Toronto defeats Indiana 101-94 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dondre Stewart
The Toronto Raptors grinded out a defensive battle in overtime against the Indiana Pacers on March 17.
Raptors’ center Bismack Biyombo broke the franchise record of 25 total rebounds in the game. Forward Donyell Marshall previously held the record and had 24 rebounds against the Chicago Bulls on Feb. 17 2004.
This is just one of many franchise records that have been broken during this successful season for the Raptors. Dwane Casey became the first coach in franchise history to have 200 career game wins, and the Raptors have won a franchise record of 31 wins in a row while holding their opponents under 100 points.
Toronto also needs only three more road wins to set a franchise record and are four wins away from winning 50 games for the first time.
James Defoe, assistant coach of the men’s basketball team at Humber College, told Humber News that the Raptors’ season of record breaking is a nice surprise.
“I’m a coach, when you’re inside the group those things aren’t too important. Those are nice bonuses and they are measures and marks of a team. You can put it up on the board and say ok we did that you know we’re playing well. Keep working hard and keep striving for it. The records are good,” said Defoe.
Defoe said when the Raptors move the ball, they’re a very good team and they play very good team defense.
Jonathan Ekubor, Raptors’ fan and former point guard/shooting guard at Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute in Toronto, said the inside presence from offseason additions such as Bismack Biyombo has been crucial to the Raptors’ defense.
“It starts with Lowry because he’s the floor general. He’s in a sense the captain because he’s the point guard. He sets the tone for the team. Then Derozan being the star coming out of his shell this year. He’s attacking the net more because everybody knows attacking the net opens up the game for you and your team,” said Ekubor.