Raptors 905 set a G League first-quarter record in a 3-0 week

Raptors 905 have opened the NBA G League regular season at 9-1 after three wins in six days, one of them a game that made league history.

The Toronto Raptors' affiliate, which plays home games at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga, has won four straight.

A season sweep at home

On Thursday, Jan. 8, the 905 beat the Noblesville Boom 117-98 in Mississauga to sweep the season series against the Indiana Pacers' affiliate. David Roddy had a season-high 26 points, along with eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Tyreke Key also scored 26, and Jarkel Joiner added 16 points and five assists.

The Boom committed 17 turnovers in the first half, and the Raptors turned them into 19 points. The 905 shot 57.1 per cent from the field in the third quarter.

A record start in Birmingham

The team then went on the road to face the Birmingham Squadron, the New Orleans Pelicans' affiliate. On Sunday, Jan. 11, the 905 outscored Birmingham 44-11 in the first quarter. The Squadron said the 33-point gap was the largest margin after one quarter in G League history.

Eight 905 players scored in the opening quarter, and the team made nine of 14 three-point attempts. The Raptors led 72-38 at halftime and won 118-73. The 47-point loss was the worst in Squadron history.

The rematch on Tuesday, Jan. 13, was much closer. Raptors 905 led 70-69 after three quarters, but Birmingham opened the fourth with a 10-0 run to go up by nine. A.J. Hoggard tied the game at the free-throw line with 20.7 seconds left to force overtime, and Key settled it with a steal and a layup in transition for a 99-98 win. He finished with 23 points and a career-high eight rebounds, while Joiner had 14 points and eight assists.

The 905 won without several regulars, including Chucky Hepburn, Alijah Martin and AJ Lawson. Keion Brooks Jr. led Birmingham with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Away for the rest of January

The wins in Birmingham opened a seven-game road trip. The 905 face the Capital City Go-Go twice next, starting Thursday, and have no more home games in January.