"I don't know anything about pizza." 😂 - Coach Darko Rajakovic responds to his pizza party promise after the Raptors win their 3rd-straight 🗣️
Toronto Raptors extend winning streak to 3, coach Darko Rajakovic treats team to Pizza Celebration
NBATuesday, 27 February 2024 at 07:33
In a jubilant locker room scene, the Toronto Raptors celebrated their longest winning streak of the season with a promise fulfilled by head coach Darko Rajakovic: a team dinner. The reward for stringing together three consecutive victories? Pizza.
Rajakovic, beaming with pride outside the exuberant locker room, explained his decision: "I told them that when we won three straight I'd take them to dinner. But I told them this team's so humble, we could have pizza."
The Raptors' winning streak was propelled by an impressive performance against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night, securing a 130-122 victory. All-Star Scottie Barnes showcased his versatility once again, notching his fourth triple-double of the season with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. His stellar play was complemented by RJ Barrett's 24-point contribution, further solidifying Toronto's resurgence post-All-Star break.
The depth of the Raptors' roster was on full display as seven players scored in double figures, with rookie Gradey Dick emerging as a key contributor with 18 points, including crucial 3-pointers late in the game. Coach Rajakovic expressed optimism about Dick's growth, emphasizing the importance of learning from both successes and setbacks.
While the Pacers put up a valiant effort, led by Bennedict Mathurin's career-high matching 34 points and Pascal Siakam's impressive performance against his former team, Toronto's defensive tenacity and resilience proved decisive. Despite facing the league's best shooting team, the Raptors held their ground, limiting the Pacers to 46% shooting from the field.
The game saw momentum swings, with Toronto building leads only to see Indiana claw back into contention. However, a pivotal 10-2 run sparked by Dick's clutch 3-pointer ultimately sealed the victory for the Raptors, as they maintained their composure down the stretch to secure the win.
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