GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Drive set the pace early on Saturday night after a hot start had them jump out to a one-time 22-point lead but the Raptors 905 slowly clawed back in a back-and-forth fourth quarter and topped Grand Rapids with a final score of 117-113.
Toronto two-way player Shamorie Ponds commanded 905’s offense by racking up a team-high 21 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. Other Raptors in double digits were Matt Morgan (16 points, 5 rebounds & 3 assists), Devin Robinson (15 points, 5 rebounds & 3 blocks), Sagaba Konate (14 points & 4 rebounds), Paul Watson (13 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals) and Nicholas Baer (12 points, 3 rebounds & 2 blocks).
The two teams shot nearly identical from the field as Grand Rapids connected on 43-92 shooting from the floor (47%) and 14-33 from beyond the arch (42%) while 905 finished the night on 41-93 from the field (44%) and 15-33 from deep (45%). 905’s advantage at the charity stripe was huge as they went 13-15 from the free-throw line compared to just 8-16 for Grand Rapids.
Drive big man Donta Hall led the team with another strong double-double, earning 24 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks, while shooting 8-11 from the field. Pistons two-way player Jordan Bone was one assist shy from a double-double, adding 17 points and 9 assists on the night. Todd Withers had another effective performance for the team by shooting 6-11 from the field and 4-8 from the beyond the 3-point line, tallying up 16 points along with 5 rebounds and 3 blocks. Guard Tra-Deon Hollins added a second team double-double with 11 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds and 3 steals. Other Drive players in double figures were Devon Baulkman (14 points & 4 rebounds) and Craig Sword (11 points, 5 rebounds & 3 steals).
The Drive picked up the momentum behind a packed home crowd after trailing by 5 late in the fourth, but the home team ended up on the wrong side of a foul call that resulted in 905 knocking down crucial free throws to extend the lead to 4.