 and G Gary Harris (groin) missed their third straight games. ... Coming into Monday's game, Denver had won eight of its last 12 games in Toronto. Raptors: C Lucas Nogueira (ankle) did not dress for the game. ... Despite setting a franchise record with 17 wins over Western Conference opponents last season, Toronto was 0-2 against Denver. ... The Raptors are now 4-4 when playing on Halloween. BOARD PATROLThe Nuggets (59.5) and Raptors (51) entered as first and tied for third in average rebounds per game, but it was the Raptors who led the way on Monday, taking an 46-43 edge. HALLOWEEN HOMECOMINGDenver rookie Jamal Murray, who grew up about 70 miles from Toronto in Kitchener, Ontario, played his first professional game in Canada. After scrambling to secure over 100 tickets for friends and family, Murray scored his first NBA basket following a technical foul with 10:41 to go in the fourth quarter. He finished 0 for 4 from the field with two rebounds and two assists. DOWN AND OUTBarton went down with 30 seconds remaining in the third quarter after twisting his left ankle stepping on the foot of Toronto rookie Jakob Poeltl. Denver called a timeout and Barton eventually headed to the locker room visibly limping and did not return to the game. UP NEXTNuggets: Continue their five-game swing with a matchup against Minnesota, where Denver has won four straight. Raptors: Visit Washington in their first road game of the season. Toronto has a seven-game win streak over the Wizards.)
Time: 07:30 P.M. EST Venue: Air Canada Centre TORONTO -- The Toronto Raptors will look to close out its first homestand of the season on a winning note after dropping a 94-91 decision to the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. The Raptors (1-1) wrap up a three-game home stretch against the visiting Denver Nuggets (1-1) on Monday night at Air Canada Centre. The Nuggets begin a five-game road trip in Toronto after falling 115-113 to the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. Despite the home loss, there's good news on the horizon for the Nuggets. Both forward Darrell Arthur and guard Gary Harris could return from injury against the Raptors. Harris has missed the first two games with a groin injury." It's good to see him on the court (Friday). And as is always the case, how does he feel the next day," coach Michael Malone told the Denver Post prior to Saturday's game. Arthur, meanwhile, has missed both games due to a knee injury." Gary is a guy that is one of the better young two-way players in the NBA," Malone said. "We are going to be really smart and prudent about his injury and not rush him back so when he does come back, we can have him for an extended stay." Facing the Raptors will mark the first NBA game north of the border for Canadian guard Jamal Murray. The 19-year-old University of Kentucky product grew up 70 miles west of Toronto. Through his first two games of the season, Murray has averaged 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists." It's very difficult, you've got to have some intellect going your way," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said of a young player like Murray adjusting to the NBA. "He's a very intelligent kid." He's going to be a nice young player, also, his speed with the basketball, his ability to shoot the ball -- once he understands the speed of the game, angles and personnel and understands the league after he goes through it a couple times -- he's going to be a really really effective player for Denver." The Raptors dropped both games against the Nuggets last season falling 106-105 at home in December and losing 112-93 at Denver in February." People looked at them last year and said, 'Well how did you lose to them twice?' They're a very talented, skilled team that I think is underrated just because they're so young," Casey said. Toronto opened its 22nd season with a 109-91 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday before falling to the Cavaliers. Following Monday's game, Toronto heads to Washington to play the Wizards on Wednesday before returning home to host the Miami Heat on Friday.
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