After a slow start, Raptors fire Mitchell

The Toronto Raptors fired coach Sam Mitchell and replaced him with assistant Jay Triano, one day after an embarrassing loss at Denver.

Mitchell led the Raptors to the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and was honored as the NBA’s coach of the year for 2006-07. Toronto was off to an 8-9 start, due in part to injuries.

General Manager Bryan Colangelo said Tuesday night’s 132-93 loss to the Nuggets was the final straw. “Obviously, last night’s game was just an absolute kick to the gut,” Colangelo said. “When you look back, it’s a culmination of things. Expectations are high. We want to win.”