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AHEAD OF THE GAME
Head coach Jay Triano is at the end of his first NBA pre-season.
He worked 65 games last season (25-40) after taking over for fired Sam Mitchell in December, but ran his first training camp this month.
"I think the games last year were a huge benefit to me," he said. "They were a dress rehearsal, a kind of run-through.
"There were a lot of times last year during games where I'd say to myself: 'I need to mark that down. I need to make sure we put that in starting at training camp.' And I've done that.''
MR. SIOUX FALLS
Forward Amir Johnson, the Raptors' rebounding leader (6.7 rpg) heading into last night's game, was an interview target of both a local TV crew and NBA.com prior to tipoff.
Johnson had two stints with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League while a member of the Detroit Pistons in 2006-07.
He averaged 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 3.13 blocks and 35.2 minutes in 22 games. "I didn't do too much when I was here besides basketball," Johnson said.
A NEUTRAL HISTORY
This was the Raptors' third neutral site game of the pre-season - they played Philadelphia in London, Ont., and Boston in Hartford, Conn. - and their 32nd overall since beginning operations in 1995.
Their record in those pre-season contests through the first 31: 14-17.
UP NEXT
Wednesday: Season opener, Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors, 7 p.m., SCORE, Fan 590.
