Raptors trying to ‘out-team the other team’

Toronto rookie Jamison Battle received a loud ovation from the remaining Raptors fans at Scotiabank Arena on Friday after he fouled out in less than 15 minutes of playing time.

Toronto rookie Jamison Battle received a loud ovation from the remaining Raptors fans at Scotiabank Arena on Friday after he fouled out in less than 15 minutes of playing time.

The gesture wasn’t cynical, but a tribute to what he and a Raptors bench that included three other rookies accomplished in a 115-107 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Battle had 12 points and six rebounds before he earned his sixth foul to get drummed out of the game.

“Felt good, just to know I can contribute to a team win,” Battle said of the ovation. “That’s all I really care about … just coming out here and doing what I can to help this team win.”

Battle and the rest of Toronto’s reserves were called on to help a rotation significantly thinned by injuries.

Head coach Darko Rajakovic said pre-game that point guard Immanuel Quickley (right pelvic contusion) would miss the game. Quickley joined RJ Barrett (sprained shoulder) of Mississauga, Ont., Kelly Olynyk (back) of Kamloops, B.C., Bruce Brown (arthroscopic knee surgery), and Ja’Kobe Walter (sprained shoulder) on the inactive list.

The referees also took the starters of both teams out of the game, issuing 66 personal fouls in the game. Both teams ended up scoring more free throws than field goals, with the Raptors going 39 for 46 (84.8 per cent) from the charity stripe and Philadelphia shooting 40 of 53 (75.5 per cent).

Starters Jakob Poeltl, Gradey Dick and Davion Mitchell all got into foul trouble as they tried to grind down the Sixers’ offence.

Toronto’s bench stepped up in their absence, outscoring Philly’s reserves 41-19.