"Embiid about to send OG a fruit basket” – Fans react hilariously to Toronto Raptors scoring 49 points against Denver Nuggets in 1st quarter

The Toronto Raptors started their game against the Denver Nuggets on fire Tuesday night, setting a franchise scoring record for a single quarter. After the first period, the Raptors had 49 points.

Fred VanVleet led the team with 14 first-quarter points. OG Anunoby and Scottie Barnes had 10 and nine points, respectively. Additionally, they ended the first half leading 72-56.

The Raptors scored a franchise record 49 points in the 1Q 🤯

Their most points EVER in a quarter

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With Toronto's impressive start, fans shared their reactions on the internet. Here are some of the best reactions.

@NBA they abusing the 2x MVP 😭

@NBA Embiid about to send OG a fruit basket 😅

@NBA Why the nuggets suck defensively… https://t.co/GRKVTZ7zal

@NBA 49 points in the first quarter, the Nuggets should be ashamed of themselves

@NBA Your welcome Embiid fans

@NBA Jokic with more terrible defense. This is why Giannis is MVP.

@NBA This the team with the alleged 3 time MVP?

@NBA mvp's don't lose 4 straight btw

@NBA embiid actually gonna win mvp i’m crying real tears

@NBA Scottie owns Jokic😭😭😭

@NBA embiid def MVP now

@NBA Jokic cant be the MVP how many times do I have to say it

@NBA A result of having Jokic as your Center to hold down the back line of your defense. Tough.

The reactions were mostly about Nikola Jokic not being a great defensive player, which made it easy for the Raptors to score. Toronto did most of the damage from inside the restricted area, shooting 8-for-9 from underneath the basket. Denver struggled to contain players from attacking the basket.

Also read: What did Fred VanVleet say about Ben Taylor? Toronto Raptors star risks fine with incendiary remarks

Can the Toronto Raptors make it to the playoffs?

The Toronto Raptors entered Tuesday night ninth in the Eastern Conference, in contention for the play-in tournament. But that's not the ideal spot for a team that won the championship four seasons ago. Many were expecting the Raptors to be better than the previous season. After all, they have the reigning Rookie of the Year, together with two All-Stars.

With the way they've been playing as of late, the Raptors could finish 10th or 11th in the East. They've been inconsistent throughout the entire season. If they qualify in the postseason, they could get swept by the top teams in the conference.

Looking at how their players have performed this season, Pascal Siakam has been the only consistent one, averaging 24.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists. Despite averaging a career-high in scoring, he had to wait to be named as an All-Star replacement this season.

The other two, VanVleet and Scottie Barnes, are both not living up to the hype this season. The 6-foot-1 guard is averaging 19.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 7.0 apg. His stats aren't far from what he produced the previous season, but fans were expecting more consistency from him.

Barnes isn't performing, either, only averaging 15.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg and 4.8 apg, which are similar to his numbers last season.

It isn't enough for Toronto to become a legit playoff team this season. The Raptors will have to work harder to leave an impact in the postseason.

Also read: "Welcome to the new world order" - Toronto Raptors apology over Women's Day video controversy leaves internet divided