This archive report was first published on 8 October 2019.
On October 8, 2019, the Toronto Raptors, NBA champions, secured a 134-129 victory over the Houston Rockets in a preseason game held in Japan.
The matchup was overshadowed by a tweet from Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, which expressed support for anti-government protests in Hong Kong, prompting Chinese sponsors to abandon the team and the state-run TV network to cut them from the airwaves.
Despite the controversy, the Raptors' Pascal Siakam led the team with 24 points, while Serge Ibaka contributed 18 and guard Fred VanVleet scored 16. Meanwhile, former NBA Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook made his Rockets debut, scoring 13 points.
Rockets star James Harden netted a game-high 34 points, and Centre Clint Capela added 12 for Houston.
"We have new goals" when a new season begins, Siakam said in a news conference. "We challenge ourselves, each of us... every individual on the team."
"We have new goals" when a new season begins, Siakam told a news conference. "We challenge ourselves, each of us... every individual on the team." — Pascal Siakam
The Raptors' victory came after a tough season, as they face a new challenge without NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Kawhi Leonard, who left for the Los Angeles Clippers.
