The Toronto Raptors blew out the Chicago Bulls 121-108 on Nov. 24. The Raptors had a commanding lead throughout the game, but then the Bulls made it interesting cutting the lead to 7 in the fourth quarter. However, the Raptors responded following a timeout to put the game away.
With the game all but over things got dicey at the end. With the Raptors up 12 with 24 seconds left in the game, Siakam decided to put up a three.
This got DeMar DeRozan upset who thought the Raptors should have just run out the clock. The Raptors continued to play hard because they thought they were still in contention for the In-Season Tournament so point differential matters. However, both the Bulls and Raptors were eliminated before the game even started.
DeRozan got ejected and then shared a moment with Masai Ujiri:
DeMar DeRozan made sure to dap up Masai Ujiri after getting tossed from the Raptors-Bulls game 🤝
🎥 @BleacherReport pic.twitter.com/DmdctGylBw
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) November 25, 2023
After the game DeRozan didn’t back down and said he had an issue with Siakam taking the late-game three:
DeMar DeRozan had an issue with Pascal Siakam taking a late 3 last night
“Take the win. Get out of here. If roles were reversed, needing in-season tournament points or not, just for the respect I have for my opponents, I hold the ball.”
(Via @TSN_Sports ) pic.twitter.com/iZMx52v9kY
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 25, 2023
Darko Rajakovic was asked about the late-game controversy and said that he wan’t aware that the Raptors were eliminated.
Were the Raptors in the wrong?
DeRozan does bring up a fair point especially considering the Raptors were eliminated from the tournament. However, at the same time this just looks like an honest mistake made by the Raptors who thought they were still in it.
The Raptors pick up the win to move to 8-8. They will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 26.
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