A day after Toronto beat the Knicks 148-98, Darko Rajaković said the Raptors are “chasing championships from day one” and their targets are not changing.

Rajaković wants the Raptors to cover ground on defense, box out, run in transition and crash the glass every second, which he called “physically very demanding.”

Kawhi Leonard scored 21 in 17 first-half minutes. Expect stints of four to eight minutes, with depth that lets players cover for each other.

Toronto had 34 assists, 25 fast-break points, 54 points in the paint and 12 steals with only nine turnovers. New York shot 7-of-41 from three.

Rajaković said the Raptors measure themselves with five offensive and five defensive pillars that “mimic our identity as a team.”

Jamison Battle is back from a back issue. The ninth, 10th and 11th spots stay open, and he will keep “throwing different guys in the fire.”

After the rookie went 1-of-7, Rajaković told him the first time he passes up an open shot, he will sit on the bench.

Toronto visits the Knicks on Thursday, ends the preseason Friday in Detroit and opens at home against the Bulls on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Photo by CLNS Media Press Room, CC-BY-4.0, resized. Darko Rajaković.

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