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Despite battling an illness, rookie Collin Murray-Boyles tied a season high in rebounding on Monday, sparking the Toronto Raptors to a comeback win over the Orlando Magic.
Murray-Boyles finished with four points, 12 rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots in the 107-106 victory at Scotiabank Arena. He was a team-high plus-18 in 25 minutes as the Raptors won despite trailing by 20 points in the first half.
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The ninth pick in the draft has now hauled in 12 rebounds in consecutive games for the first time this season. He snared seven on the offensive glass alone, providing the Raptors with crucial second-chance opportunities to seal their fifth win in eight games.
"Every time he is around the rim, he has great feel where to go," Raptors coach Darko Rajaković said. "He is working really hard to position himself in a position where he can go and get those rebounds. He is strong. He is athletic. He has a great desire to go get those seven offensive boards, but also two huge blocked shots he had in the second half. They set a tone for us."
Jamal Shead led the Raptors with 19 points and five assists, while Brandon Ingram tallied 17 points and nine rebounds and Gradey Dick added 15 points. Scottie Barnes scored 13 points and 11 rebounds and Sandro Mamukelashvili had 13 points.
Murray-Boyles missed two straight games before returning against the Magic on Monday. He has provided the team with valuable production in the frontcourt, with Jakob Poeltl expected to miss another week due to a lower back injury.
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"To be honest, that first half, I was feeling it, for sure," Murray-Boyles said. "This is my first game in five days, so it wasn't easy, especially not really having much prep for it. I've been quarantining from the team, so it has been a struggle. I found the energy later in the second quarter, and I just got my wind back going in for the rest of the game. I just had to figure out how to bring something to the team."
Murray-Boyles is averaging 6.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 54% from the field in 27 appearances. He has scored in double figures nine times, including a season-high 19 points on Oct. 27 in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
The 6-foot-7 forward was highly touted out of South Carolina because of his defensive intensity, post presence and ability to make plays for others. He is focused on making daily improvements and helping the Raptors take a step forward this season.
"Coach made a statement about getting comfortable and thinking that you're in a secure spot, but it is just not like that," Murray-Boyles said. "Never get comfortable if you have a good game or if you get good stats. Always come in and try to be the reason they picked you up and stuff like that. So just being consistent with everything that I do, have a mellow attitude toward everything and just be myself."
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Raptors news: Collin Murray-Boyles commended for rebounding ability
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