An overview of Amalie Arena before the game between the Toronto Raptors and the New York Knicks … [+]
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While 29 American teams are trying to find a home court advantage in their cities, the Toronto Raptors are trying to make it in Tampa, Florida, where they are playing the season as local, regional and national authorities do not allow crews to travel to and from Canada.
After completing a shootaround in Philadelphia before Tuesday’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, reserve guard Matt Thomas said the Raptors are just trying to be comfortable in Florida first before worrying about any kind of win. home court at Amalie Arena, where the Stanley Cup Lightning Play Tampa Bay Lightning.
“And I think as games go on, hopefully we can get some fans in Tampa, some locals or some Canadian snowmen have to come to some our games are there, ”said the 26-year-old sharp player, with 3,800 fans getting Amalie into rejoicing in the north.
After a loss at home and an open season for the New Orleans Pelicans, the Raps were able to fix the ship on New Year’s Eve against the New York Knicks. Despite Pascal Siakam’s All-Star forward being a late scramble from the lineup due to disciplinary reasons, Toronto held New York to 41 points in the second half in a 100-83 victory to the first win of 2020-2021 give the team. The Knicks were held to a 36.4% shot from the field for the game and 3-for-36 from a 3-point range.
Thursday’s win drew 3,449 fans to Amalie, which is more than most pitches in this release year but not enough to adequately reproduce a home court advantage. That’s why, Thomas said, the Raptors need to create their own energy on the court.
“That’s the new normal in the league this year,” he said. “We have our 17 boys, our teachers and medical staff and everyone who is with us. And that’s our team. “
Thomas has seen his minutes decline early this season, from 20 against New Orleans, where he had nine points, four assists and two steals, with none in the win over New York. He hopes to see the court on Saturday, when Toronto visit the Pelicans for their final meeting of the season.