NBL champions Melbourne United cop pre-season thrashing at hands of shorthanded Toronto Raptors

NBL champions Melbourne United have copped an absolute pasting at the hands of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, ending their pre-season US tour with a crushing defeat.

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 5: Deng Adel #12 of the Toronto Raptors is congratulated by Alex Pledger #35 of Melbourne United following the second half of an NBA preseason game at Scotiabank Arena on October 5, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

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THE Toronto Raptors rested stars Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry and CJ Miles but still had too much firepower for an off-target Melbourne United.

The Raptors, in the latest game of the NBL-NBA exhibition series, crushed United 120-82 in Toronto on Friday (Saturday AEST).

United collapsed in the third quarter.

Kawhi Leonard (L) and Danny Green of the Toronto Raptors. Leonard sat out the game. Picture: AFP

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They shot just 35 per cent from the field for the game and 15 per cent from behind the three point line.

The NBL squad trailed by only one point midway through the second quarter but the Raptors found another gear, went on a 21-8 run and entered halftime up 57-39.

United had no answer in the second half, with the Raptors outscoring the Australians 44-19 to take a 101-58 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Chris Goulding was one of the shining lights for United. Picture: Getty

The Raptors relied on 208cm tall forward Serge Ibaka, 213cm centre Jonas Valanciunas and a red-hot Norman Powell, who had 21 points connecting with eight of his 11 field goals before limping off the court after suffering a thigh bruise in a collision with United guard Chris Goulding.

Powell’s injury led to court time for the Raptors’ Australian rookie Deng Adel, who’s fighting for a place on the roster.

Deng Adel got some minutes for the Raptors in the fourth quarter: Picture: Getty

Adel showed off his skills with sweet moves and 13 points, sinking all five field goal attempts in 16 minutes on the court.

Goulding had 17 points but hit just two of eight three-point attempts.

The game wraps up United’s North American tour.

They showed more resistance last week in falling to Ben Simmons’ Philadelphia 76ers 104-84.

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