Raptors add to record books with impressive rebounding against Suns

When the Raptors’ squared off against the Suns on Dec. 5, the Canadian team made franchise history when they held Phoenix to zero offensive rebounds; a team that currently sits fourth in the league in offensive rebounds per game. This feat has only happened twice in NBA history — since they started counting offensive rebounds in 1983. It was first recorded in 2002 when Utah held the San Antonio Spurs off the offensive glass. The Raps came pretty close to this record in 1999, when they held the Cavs to a single offensive rebound in the 101-91 road win.

Being one of two teams to pull this off in the last 34 years is quite the accomplishment, but it’s just one of many interesting records in Toronto’s history. Here are a few more that are bound to pique the interest of the Raptors faithful.

MOST CONSECUTIVE FREE THROWS MADE IN A GAME

DeMar DeRozan holds the league record for most consecutive free throws made in a game, after hitting 24 straight shots from the charity stripe a March 4, 2016 against the Portland Trail Blazers. DeRozan ended with a game-high 38 points to lead the Raps to the 117-115 win over Portland.

Most three throws made in one half goes to Michael Jordan back in 1992, during a December game versus the Miami Heat when he sunk 20 foul shots in a half, to add to his 39 total points.

FEWEST POINTS AGAINST IN A QUARTER

In 1997, the Dallas Mavericks scored two points in the third quarter of their game against the Los Angeles Lakers, setting a league record of fewest points ever scored in one quarter.

On Feb. 8, 2004, the Raptors helped the Golden State Warriors join that exclusive club. At the end of the third quarter, the Warriors led the game 73-57, but the Raps would lock down on defense and come back to win 84-81 in overtime after allowing the Warriors to score only two points in the fourth to tie the game at 75-a-piece at the end of regulation.

MOST BLOCKS IN A GAME

A stat the Toronto Raptors absolutely dominate. Not only do they hold the NBA record for most blocks in a game, they also hold the league records for most blocks in a first half, and second half.

In 2001 versus the Atlanta Hawks, the Raptors recorded a whopping 23 blocks, in part thanks to Keon Clark’s game-high 12 blocks. Sixteen of the Raptors blocks were recorded in the first half; enough to set an NBA record for most blocks in a first half of a game. A few months later, they set the record for most blocks in a second half as well; in the Nov. 7 game against the Golden State Warriors, the Raps recorded 16 blocks in the third and fourth quarters combined to finish the game with a total of 20 blocks.

FEWEST FREE THROWS IN A GAME

When the Raptors took only three foul shots during a game against the Charlotte Hornets in 1996, and missed all of them, they set an unfortunate NBA record of fewest free throws made in a game. This game also set the record of the lowest free throw percentage by any team in a single game with, of course, 0% from the charity stripe.

On a happier note for Toronto basketball fans, the Raps are part of a much better NBA free throw record: the highest free throw percentage in a game by both teams. When they played the Atlanta Hawks in 2000, the two teams combined for 16 foul shots, shooting 100% from the line.

MOST STEALS IN A HALF

When Doug Christie played for the Raptors between 1996 and 2000, he helped the team record another league record. The former Raptor is currently in a 12-way tie for first for most steals in one half with eight. Christie recorded the stat on April 2, 1997 in a game against Philadelphia. He ended the game with 29 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists and 8 steals.

The most recent player to join the tie for first place is Rafer Alston in a 2007 game between Houston and Charlotte.

*BONUS*

POINTS SCORED BY SINGLE PLAYER (against the Raptors)

Of course, the scoring record in a single game goes to Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 100 points in 1962. But second place goes to Kobe Bryant for scoring 81 points on Jan. 22, 2006 against the Toronto Raptors. He scored 55 of his 81 in the first half; going 90% from the free throw line and taking 52% of the Lakers’ total field goals in LA’s 122-104 win over Toronto.

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