Annual NBA exhibition game
Naismith Cup Sport Basketball Founded 1995; 30 years ago (1995 ) Ceased 2005; 20 years ago (2005 ) Country Canada Last champion(s) Maccabi Tel Aviv
The Naismith Cup was an annual pre-season National Basketball Association (NBA) exhibition game. From the 1995 season through 2000 , it was played between the two Canadian NBA rivals, the Toronto Raptors and the Vancouver Grizzlies , at neutral venues across Canada.[ 1] The cup was named after James Naismith , the Canadian inventor of basketball, and was originally created to raise money for Canada Basketball , similar to the Pearson Cup competition between Canada's Major League Baseball teams the Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Expos (which have since relocated to Washington ). Following the Grizzlies relocation to Memphis the cup was laid dead,[ 2] though the Raptors continued the tradition of hosting neutral site pre-season games in Canadian cities under the NBA Canada Series name. The Raptors won the series against Vancouver 4–1.
Prior to the 2003 season , the cup was revived as an international match between the Raptors and a European team, played at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto . In 2003 the opponent was the Panathinaikos A.O. of Athens , Greece, while in 2004 the Benetton Treviso of Treviso , Italy visited Toronto.[ 3] The final competition in 2005 saw the Raptors' only international loss, against Maccabi Tel Aviv of Tel Aviv , Israel.[ 4] The current whereabouts of the Naismith Cup are unknown.[ 5]
Results
Other neutral site Raptors games and international opponents
In addition to the Naismith Cup games, the Raptors have played several other neutral site preseason games in Canadian cities. During their first two seasons of play (1995–1997), prior to the completion of construction on their new home the Air Canada Centre , the Raptors played three regular season games at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario .[ 16] The team also lost a preseason game to the Miami Heat 119–89 at Marine Midland Arena in nearby Buffalo, New York before 12,748 fans on 18 October 1996.[ 6] [ 17] A second game, against the New York Knicks , was scheduled for 15 October 1998 at the arena, but was cancelled due to the 1998–99 NBA lockout .[ 18] The team has subsequently discussed the possibility of playing additional preseason and regular season games in Buffalo.[ 19] The Buffalo Braves played a total of 16 regular season games at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto from 1971 to 1975.[ 20] Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York hosted a Raptors pre-season 103-81 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2006 before 9,429 fans.[ 21] More recently, the team has participated in a number of games as part of the NBA Canada Series .
Season[ 6] [ 7]
Date
Location
Arena
Visiting team
Score
Home team
Attendance
Ref
1995
October 14
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Halifax Metro Centre
Philadelphia 76ers
107–120
Toronto Raptors
9,367
[ 22]
October 16
Saint John, New Brunswick
Harbour Station
Philadelphia 76ers
121–93
Toronto Raptors
6,297
[ 23]
October 19
Saskatoon
Saskatchewan Place
Atlanta Hawks
106–105 (OT)
Toronto Raptors
5,648
[ 24]
1996
October 11
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Halifax Metro Centre
Atlanta Hawks
100–82
Toronto Raptors
7,589
[ 25]
October 13
Ottawa
Corel Centre
New York Knicks
73–78
Toronto Raptors
9,662
[ 26]
1997
October 24
Hamilton, Ontario
Copps Coliseum
Denver Nuggets
114–100
Toronto Raptors
10,962
[ 27]
2003
October 23
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Mile One Stadium
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Toronto Raptors Cancelled due to wet playing surface
7,500
[ 28]
2004
October 17
London, Ontario
John Labatt Centre
Toronto Raptors
103–108
Philadelphia 76ers
7,619
[ 29]
2005
October 24
Winnipeg
MTS Centre
Portland Trail Blazers
105–98
Toronto Raptors
10,900
[ 30]
2008
October 21
Edmonton
Rexall Place
Denver Nuggets
105–94
Toronto Raptors
17,534
[ 31]
2009
October 6
London, Ontario
John Labatt Centre
Toronto Raptors
98–107
Philadelphia 76ers
7,213
[ 32]
2010
October 6
Vancouver
Rogers Arena
Toronto Raptors
129–78
Phoenix Suns
18,123
[ 33]
October 22
Montreal
Bell Centre
New York Knicks
103–108
Toronto Raptors
22,114
[ 34]
2012
October 19
Montreal
Bell Centre
New York Knicks
88–107
Toronto Raptors
22,114
[ 35]
2014
October 5
Vancouver
Rogers Arena
Sacramento Kings
94–99
Toronto Raptors
18,900
[ 36]
October 24
Montreal
Bell Centre
New York Knicks
80–83
Toronto Raptors
20,738
[ 37]
2015
October 4
Vancouver
Rogers Arena
Los Angeles Clippers
73–93
Toronto Raptors
19,000
[ 38]
October 14
Ottawa
Canadian Tire Centre
Toronto Raptors
87–89
Minnesota Timberwolves
15,522
[ 38]
October 23
Montreal
Bell Centre
Washington Wizards
82–92
Toronto Raptors
20,072
[ 38]
2016
October 1
Vancouver
Rogers Arena
Golden State Warriors
93–97
Toronto Raptors
19,000
[ 39]
October 3
Calgary
Scotiabank Saddledome
Denver Nuggets
108–106
Toronto Raptors
19,600
[ 39]
2018
September 29
Vancouver
Rogers Arena
Portland Trail Blazers
104-122
Toronto Raptors
18,654
[ 40] [ 41]
October 10
Montreal
Bell Centre
Brooklyn Nets
91-118
Toronto Raptors
20,526
[ 42] [ 43]
2022
October 2
Edmonton
Rogers Place
Utah Jazz
82-114
Toronto Raptors
17,100
[ 44] [ 45]
October 14
Montreal
Bell Centre
Boston Celtics
134-137 (OT)
Toronto Raptors
21,900
[ 46] [ 45]
2023
October 8
Vancouver
Rogers Arena
Sacramento Kings
99-112
Toronto Raptors
18,654
[ 47] [ 48]
2024
October 6
Montreal
Bell Centre
Washington Wizards
98-125
Toronto Raptors
21,900
[ 49] [ 50]
Since the end of the Naismith Cup, the Raptors have continued to play international opponents. They hosted Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel again in 2006, Žalgiris Kaunas of Lithuania in 2007, CSKA Moscow of Russia in 2008, Real Madrid of Spain in 2012, and Maccabi Haifa of Israel in 2014, and have played away games against Lottomatica Roma of Italy and Real Madrid of Spain in 2007.[ 51] [ 52] [ 53] They hosted San Lorenzo de Almagro of Argentina during the 2016 preseason,[ 39] and Melbourne United of Australia in 2018.[ 54]
Toronto has also participated in NBA Global Games , playing a preseason game against the Boston Celtics in Rome, Italy in 2007, two regular season games against the New Jersey Nets in London, England in 2011, a regular season game in London against the Orlando Magic in 2016, and a preseason games against the Houston Rockets in Saitama , Japan in 2019.[ 55]
See also
References
^ "Raptors romp over Grizzlies in annual Naismith Cup". Kitchener Record . October 19, 1999.
^ Feschuk, Dave (March 8, 2007). "Time for some bonding Mitchell; Team unity crucial for the stretch run". Toronto Star .
^ Quinn, Jennifer (October 11, 2003). "Lights out for Greek side; ACC goes dark at Raps' game with Panathinaikos Crowd of 17,749 watches visitors get trounced". Toronto Star .
^ a b MacLeod, Robert (October 17, 2005). "Homes isn't so sweet for Raptors". The Globe and Mail . p. S3.
^ "As the Raptors and Grizzlies prepare for a throwback, where is the Naismith Cup?" . The Athletic . 2020. Retrieved 2020-08-07 .
^ a b c "2009-10 Raptors Preseason Media Guide" (PDF) . Toronto Raptors . 2009. Retrieved 2013-10-04 .
^ a b "2010-11 Raptors Preseason Media Guide" (PDF) . Toronto Raptors . 2010. Retrieved 2013-10-04 .
^ Roberts, David (October 23, 1995). "Raptors maul tame Grizzlies". The Globe and Mail . p. E7.
^ Clarkson, Michael (October 28, 1996). "Raptors unprepared for season". Toronto Star . p. D5.
^ Smith, Doug (October 21, 1997). "Nasty win for Raps". Toronto Star . p. C1.
^ Kingston, Gary (October 6, 1998). "NBA cancels rest of the pre-season". Vancouver Sun . p. E3.
^ Smith, Doug (October 19, 1999). "Raps devour Grizzlies for first win". Toronto Star . p. C3.
^ Smith, Doug (October 13, 2000). "Raptors win the Cup". Toronto Star . p. F3.
^ MacLeod, Robert (October 11, 2003). "Game zapped at finish". The Globe and Mail . p. S5.
^ MacLeod, Robert (October 21, 2004). "International flavour just not in the mix". The Globe and Mail . p. S3.
^ JIa, James (2013-04-18). "Raptors wrap up season with best attendance in 4 years" . Xinhua . Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved 2013-10-05 .
^ Young, Chris (1996-10-19). "Raptors suffer from Heat stroke with poor effort". Toronto Star .
^ "Raptors-Knicks have date at Marine Midland Arena" . Buffalo News . 1998-07-31. Retrieved 2013-10-07 .
^ "Raptors exploring playing pre-season games in Buffalo" . The Sports Network . 2008-07-02. Retrieved 2013-10-08 .
^ Buffery, Steve (2004-11-03). "The road was paved" . Toronto Sun . Archived from the original on October 8, 2013. Retrieved 2013-10-08 .
^ "Toronto 103, Cleveland 81" . ESPN . 2006-10-18. Archived from the original on November 3, 2006. Retrieved 2015-10-24 .
^ Kernaghan, John (1995-10-16). "Rookie guard leads Raptors : Franchise debuts with surprise win over Philadelphia 76ers". The Record . p. D3.
^ Smith, Doug (1995-10-17). "Raptors target of Sixers' wrath". The Globe and Mail . p. D8.
^ Young, Chris (1995-10-20). "Run 'n' gun Raptors fall to Hawks in OT". Toronto Star . p. C7.
^ "Hawks hand listless Raptors defeat in pre-season debut". The Hamilton Spectator . 1996-10-12. p. E3.
^ Clarkson, Michael (1996-10-14). "Walker spurs gritty Raptors past Knicks". Toronto Star .
^ Smith, Doug (1997-10-25). "Raptors in too deep against Nuggets". Toronto Star .
^ "Raptors vs. Cavaliers game called due to wet floor" . ESPN . 2003-10-23. Retrieved 2013-10-07 .
^ Harris, Bill (2004-10-18). "A.l.'s quick ejection seemed extreme" . Toronto Sun . Archived from the original on October 8, 2013. Retrieved 2013-10-07 .
^ Buffery, Steve (2005-10-25). "Shot down" . Toronto Sun . Archived from the original on October 8, 2013. Retrieved 2013-10-07 .
^ "Raptors end preseason with loss to Nuggets in Edmonton" . The Sports Network . 2008-10-22. Retrieved 2013-10-07 .
^ Grange, Michael (2009-10-06). "Kapono, Raptors get fresh starts" . The Globe and Mail . Retrieved 2013-10-07 .
^ "Raptors 129, Suns 78" . National Basketball Association . 2010-10-07. Retrieved 2013-10-07 .
^ "Raptors beat Knicks in Montreal" . National Basketball Association . 2010-10-22. Retrieved 2013-10-07 .
^ "Raptors beat Knicks 107-88 in Montreal" . National Basketball Association . 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2013-10-07 .
^ "Kings at Raptors – October 5, 2014" . National Basketball Association . 2014-10-05. Retrieved 2014-10-25 .
^ "Knicks at Raptors – October 24, 2014" . National Basketball Association . 2014-10-24. Retrieved 2014-10-25 .
^ a b c "Lowry, Paul, Rose, Wall And Wiggins Headline Biggest NBA Canada Series Yet" . National Basketball Association . 2015-06-01. Retrieved 2015-06-01 .
^ a b c "2016-17 PRESEASON" . Toronto Raptors . Retrieved 2016-09-05 .
^ "Trail Blazers vs Raptors" . ESPN . Retrieved 2018-10-11 .
^ "Stats Home / Box Score / POR Vs TOR" . NBA . Retrieved 2019-02-17 .
^ "Nets vs Raptors" . ESPN . Retrieved 2018-10-11 .
^ "Stats Home / Box Score / BKN Vs TOR" . NBA . Retrieved 2019-02-17 .
^ "BARNES, RAPTORS PULL AWAY FROM JAZZ IN 2ND HALF" . National Basketball Association .
^ a b "Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz headline eighth NBA Canada Series presented by Bell" . National Basketball Association . 2022-08-03. Retrieved 2022-08-06 .
^ "ANUNOBY ERUPTS FOR 32, RAPTORS DROP CELTICS IN OT" . National Basketball Association .
^ "RAPTORS ANNOUNCE 2023 PRESEASON SCHEDULE" . Toronto Raptors . 2023-08-03. Retrieved 2023-08-27 .
^ "Summary" . National Basketball Association . Retrieved 2023-10-14 .
^ "Barrett leads Raptors" . National Basketball Association. Retrieved 2024-10-07 .
^ "Raptors, Wizards to play pre-season game at Montreal's Bell Centre" . TSN . 2024-07-18.
^ "History of the NBA Global Games" . National Basketball Association . Retrieved 2014-08-07 .
^ "Raptors Announce 2014 Preseason Schedule" . Toronto Raptors . 2014-08-07. Retrieved 2014-08-07 .
^ "Maccabi Haifa at Raptors – October 22, 2014" . National Basketball Association . 2014-10-22. Retrieved 2014-10-25 .
^ "Melbourne United vs Toronto" . National Basketball Association . Retrieved 2018-10-11 .
^ "History of the NBA Global Games" . National Basketball Association . Retrieved 2015-10-24 .
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Franchise Arenas Personnel G League affiliate Retired numbers Culture and lore