DENVER—It was supposed to be the altitude that was the problem for the Raptors as the team ascended to the Mile High City on Wednesday, and even that wasn’t supposed to last long.
Initial shock might hamper Toronto, coach Dwane Casey predicted before his team took on the Denver Nuggets at about 1,609.3 metres above sea level, but he hoped short rotations leading to quick stints on the floor would help the Raptors fight through the early burn and find their feet.
But two nights after the Raptors carved out one of their best defensive performances of the season that included holding the Portland Blazers to a franchise-record six-point second quarter, Toronto gave up a season-high 34 points in the first quarter on its way to a 129-111 loss to the Nuggets.