For as competitive as the Toronto Raptors were on December 12, 2024, the seven-point deficit on the scoreboard confirmed their need to get a bit warmer offensively, if they hoped to catch the Miami Heat. It might’ve arrived differently from the way they drew it up, but with a bit of “friendly fire,” Ochai Agbaji understood the exact assignment. Ideally positioned to follow his teammate’s missed rainbow layup attempt with something accompanied by a bit more gusto and force, Agbaji hunts down a tipped rebound and races towards the rim at once. Prepared to take on all challengers — even those sharing his same jersey — Agbaji floats through the air for a one-handed flush, cutting into Miami’s third quarter advantage in the process. Agbaji’s Slam Dunk Contest-esque jam served as one of many highlights in his 13-point (on six-of-eight shooting), three-rebound, one-steal, one-triple performance, even as Toronto fell in a hard-fought Eastern Conference loss. · Dec 13, 2024