The Toronto Raptors have picked up their second win of the season by way of a regular seasonfranchise record 144 points.
A bad start defensively kick-started Toronto's offence as it came from behind to beat the Sacramento Kings.
For more on tonight's victory, we had you covered with live updates below.
Toronto Raptors vs. Sacramento Kings: Live score, updates, news, stats and highlights
Final: Toronto Raptors 144, Sacramento Kings 123
After allowing 43 points in the first quarter, the Raptors knew they were going to have to brace themselves for a shootout if they were going to win this one. Toronto responded by scoring a franchise-record 144 points to hold on for a victory.
Fred VanVleet led the way with 34 points and seven assists while Pascal Siakam had another strong game, falling one rebound short of his first-career triple-double with 17 points, 12assists and nine rebounds. Chris Boucher was incredible off the bench with 23 points and 10 rebounds and Norman Powell finally found his groove with 22 points.
For the Kings, six different players scored in double figures but they couldn't come up with the stops needed to hold on. De'Aaron Fox's 23 points led the team with Harrison Barnes' 21 points falling in line behind that. Rookie guard Tyrese Haliburton continued to impress with 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
TGIF. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/Ly02wYMFdH
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 9, 2021
The Raptors continue to pour it on, putting together their best offence performance of the season as they lead 130-111 with just over seven minutes to play in the game. The bench tandem of Terence Davis and rookie Malachi Flynn has been a pleasant surprise, scoring 18 points and 12 points, respectively, to give Toronto an extra boost.
End of third quarter: Raptors 111, Kings 103
What a rollercoaster this one has been. The Raptors have built an eight-point lead heading into the fourth quarter behind 31 points from Fred VanVleet, 23 points off the bench from Chris Boucher, 20 points from Norman Powell and 15 points for Pascal Siakam.
A complete shift in energy has Toronto in the driver's seat despite a slow start to the game. The Kings are doing everything they can to keep up offensively, as De'Aaron Fox has 23 points, Harrison Barnes has 18 points and Buddy Hield has 15 points. The Raptors held Sacramento to 29 points in the third frame – the lowest scoring quarter for either team this game.
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 9, 202123 Mins | 23 Pts | 7 Reb
Gotta love it pic.twitter.com/5mcpNOITeH
This is an all-out slugfest in Sacramento. The Raptors have taken a lead at 100-93 with just over four minutes remaining in the third quarter. Fred VanVleet is lighting it up with 31 points with Norman Powell adding a season-high 20 points.
JACKO SPITTIN' FACTS pic.twitter.com/POihuIOqV5
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 9, 2021
After switching up the starting lineup for the first time all season, head coach Nick Nurse changed things up again to start the second half. Chris Boucher got the start over Alex Len to kick off the third quarter.
Halftime: Kings 74, Raptors 71
The Kings weathered the Raptors' comebackbut we have a close game and high-scoring affair heading into the second half.
Toronto has done it's best job keeping up with a team offensively all season with three different players in double figures. Norman Powell has finally found a groove after being inserted into the starting lineup and has 15 points with three 3s. Fred VanVleet is orchastrating the offence with 15 points and three assists and Pascal Siakam's balanced stat line of nine points, five assists and four rebounds is pacing the team's play.
For the Kings, De'Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes have 16 points apiece to lead the team. Buddy Hield has chipped in 10 with Tyrese Haliburton adding six points and six boards off the bench. One thing to monitor: centre Richaun Holmes has four fouls at the half, allowing the Raptors to play small.
Game of runs pic.twitter.com/ccuVwCpG8Y
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 9, 2021
Here come the Raptors! A Pascal Siakam 3-ball forces the Kings to take a timeout as Toronto has erased an early deficit and tied this game up at 53-53 midway through the second quarter. Siakam's up to seven points, four assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block on the contest.
Brand new ball game pic.twitter.com/kmkkrQXFIE
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 9, 2021
End of first quarter: Kings 43, Raptors 35
The Kings scored 43points in the first quarter while shooting an unfathomable 18-for-22 (81.8%) from the field and 7-for-9 (77.8%) from 3-point range. Even with the Raptors defensive issues, they still closed the quarter on a 14-6 run to keep this contest within striking distance.
De'Aaron Fox leads Sacramento with10 points while rookie guard Tyrese Haliburton is continuing his strong play with sixpoints and four assists. Fred VanVleet's 11 points paced Toronto's offence with Chris Boucher chipping in nine points off the bench.
Needed: Stops pic.twitter.com/967Dz0VckH
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 9, 2021
Despite the starting lineup change, the Raptors are still struggling to get things started in Sacramento. Trailing 35-19 with four minutes remaining in the quarter, defence remains an issue as the Kings are scoring at will. De'Aaron Fox is leading the way with 10 points and Sacramento is shooting 14-for-16 (87.5%) from the field and 4-for-4 (100.0%)from 3 as a team.
𝑩𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒐𝒖𝒕 🦊 pic.twitter.com/4PQgqzxVes
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) January 9, 2021
Pregame
The Kings will start De'Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Marvin Bagley III and Richaun Holmes.
Starting lineups sponsored by @Verizon:@swipathefox@buddyhield@hbarnes@MB3FIVE@Rich_Holmes22 pic.twitter.com/YhDuse2hNb
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) January 9, 2021
Your first new starting lineup of the season: Fred VanVleet, Norman Powell, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam and Alex Len.
Tonight’s @Invisalign starting lineup. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/O4xHtW4vBe
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 9, 2021
Raptors head coach Nick Nurse says Norman Powell will fill Kyle Lowry's spot in the starting lineup. He also hinted at another change in the starting lineup.
Powell will start for Lowry. Nurse says there's another change coming to the starting lineup (Baynes?) tonight, as well.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) January 9, 2021
De'Aaron Fox (hamstring)will play on a minutes restriction.
Undisclosed minutes restriction for Fox.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) January 9, 2021
Kyle Lowry is listed as OUT for tonight's game due to personal reasons.
The Raptors are listing Kyle Lowry as OUT (personal reasons) for tonight's game in Sacramento.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) January 8, 2021
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