Eastern Conference Roundup: Shooting Tops Raptors’ Wish List; Porter Jr. Reflects on Trade; Smith Injured; Enaruna Signs Two-Year Deal
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The Toronto Raptors may be focused on adding three-point help rather than a traditional center, according to Eric Koreen of The Athletic. Koreen reports that Toronto’s offense has struggled against teams with multiple wing defenders, most notably the New York Knicks. In Wednesday’s loss to New York, the Raptors went 7-for-26 from beyond the arc and sit 24th in attempts and makes and 27th in percentage (34.2%) league-wide.
“We took only one 3 in that third quarter, and that’s not sustainable,” head coach Darko Rajaković said. “You cannot play against great teams and win like that.”
Porter Jr. Calls Nets-Nuggets Deal a ‘Win-Win’
Michael Porter Jr. said Thursday that last summer’s trade sending him from Denver to Brooklyn benefited both franchises. “I think both organizations and both teams kind of benefited from the trade,” the 6’10” forward told reporters before his first game back in Denver as an opponent. “I don’t look back at it with any saltiness.”
Porter noted that the Nuggets received Cam Johnson, Jonas Valančiūnas, Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. in the deal, adding, “It probably is one of those unique trades where it kind of worked out for everybody.” He scored 38 points with 10 rebounds and two steals in Thursday’s loss but said, “We should’ve pulled it out … I felt like I missed a couple shots I should’ve made down the stretch.”
Bulls’ Smith Exits With Calf Tightness
Chicago Bulls big man Jalen Smith left Thursday’s defeat to Miami after 15 minutes because of tightness in his right calf, Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic reported. Smith has started recently and is listed as questionable for Saturday’s rematch with the Heat.
Enaruna Lands Two-Year Two-Way Contract
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ new two-way deal with forward Tristan Enaruna covers this season and next, Keith Smith of Spotrac tweeted. The Dutch rookie has been a significant contributor for the G League Canton Charge.
Source: Hoops Rumors
