Top > Sport > 2005 > October > 2005-10-17

Raptors Lose to Maccabi

In an exhibition game held yesterday in Canada, the Toronto Raptors lost to the Israeli team Maccabi Tel-Aviv. Maccabi rallied from behind after Toronto had opened up a double-digit lead. This game serves as an indication to what Raptors fans should expect this season ? which is nothing special.

The Raptors were beaten on the boards even though having a physical lead over the visiting team. The only two bright spots for the Raptors this season is power forward Chris Bosh and rookie Charlie Villanueva. Villanueva, who was selected with the 7th pick of the 2005 Draft (to the surprise of everyone), was actually quite impressive. He showed that he has the ability to play on the perimeter as well is as in the post.

Yesterday?s victory marked the first time that the Israeli team was able to beat an NBA team in 27 years. The last time Maccabi defeated an NBA team was in 1978 over the Washington Bullets. We should go back to the history books and check when was the last time a European team managed to beat an NBA team not on European soil. This could be the first time.

Don?t fool yourself for a second, yesterday?s game was not a showcase of European basketball against American basketball. Three fifth of Maccabi?s starting five are American who played collegially in the states and in the NBA.