Raptors Rout Bulls 135-92 in Record Opener as Kawhi Leonard Returns

The Toronto Raptors opened their season with a 135-92 win over the Chicago Bulls at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night, a 43 point margin that theScore reported is a franchise record for a season opener. Chicago never led. Toronto led 43-23 after the first quarter, 69-44 at halftime and 103-71 after the third quarter in the opener for both teams.

Three Raptors score 23

Immanuel Quickley, Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points each for Toronto. Quickley set the tone in the first quarter with 14 points, making 3 of his 4 three point attempts, and he finished with seven assists. Barnes added six rebounds and five assists, and he passed Pascal Siakam to move into fifth place on the franchise all time assist list, according to NBC Sports. RJ Barrett scored 20 points on 8 of 14 shooting, and Ja'Kobe Walter added 10 points off the bench.

Toronto opened the game on a 7-0 run. Barrett scored on either side of a Leonard three pointer, and Collin Murray-Boyles made it 16-8 with a left handed dunk. An 11-0 run across the first two quarters pushed the lead to 51-23, and Barrett stretched it to 82-52 with a three point play in the third quarter. Toronto outscored Chicago 34-13 on fast break points.

Leonard back in Toronto

Leonard played his first game for Toronto since the 2019 NBA Finals. The Raptors reacquired him in a trade on Sept. 14, reuniting the 2019 Finals most valuable player with the team he led to its first championship. He scored 23 points in 24 minutes on 5 of 17 shooting, making all 11 of his free throws, with six rebounds, two assists and four steals. TheScore noted it was his 58th straight game with at least 20 points, second among active players behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at 141.

Bulls overwhelmed

Chicago committed 27 turnovers against 11 for Toronto, and Bleacher Report put the Bulls at 32 percent shooting from the field and 4 of 36 from three point range. Matas Buzelis led Chicago with 17 points, making 13 of 16 free throws. Rookie Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 pick in the June draft, scored 16 points on 7 of 21 shooting in his debut. Jalen Smith and Norman Powell scored 15 each, Powell adding five rebounds in his first game for Chicago after signing a two year, 45 million dollar deal, and Tre Jones added 13 points. Josh Giddey scored two points on 1 of 10 shooting and committed five turnovers.