Blake Murphy Sports Writing

MONTREAL — There’s something to be said for a slow, methodical ramp-up to start a season. For the Toronto Raptors, after a week of playing only against each other in Montreal, that meant getting their feet wet against the Washington Wizards at the Bell Centre on Sunday. The Raptors will play the defending champion Boston Celtics twice in exhibition action later this month; this was not that, with the first of a two-game set against a rebuilding Wizards team delivering the resistance of, well, an exhibition opener.

That Toronto looked superior is notable, if not particularly meaningful. Down several key pieces, the Raptors rolled the Wizards to the tune of a 125-98 win, opening up a massive lead in the game’s opening minutes and never relenting from there.

The sold-out Bell Centre crowd of 21,900 was treated to some sharp offence, a high level of defensive intensity, a few big highlights, and some big Canadian sport cameos. What else could you ask for, other than better health? Again, stomping this Wizards team (without Malcolm Brogdon) is not cause for a banner, but you’ve gotta put one 45 on the bar before you can put another.

What follows are some notes from the scene, some scouting notes, and a few other items as we wrap the week in Quebec.