Stuttering Raptors fire Mitchell

Sam Mitchell took the reigns at Toronto in 2004

The Toronto Raptors, the NBA's only Canadian team, have fired head coach Sam Mitchell one day after suffering one of their heaviest defeats.

Toronto were beaten 132-93 by Denver on 2 December, prompting Mitchell's exit, with his assistant and former Canada coach Jay Triano named as interim boss.

It was their fourth loss in six games, and they slipped to eighth in the NBA Eastern Conference with an 8-9 record.

Mitchell, 45, was the league's coach of the year in the 2006-07 season.

Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo said: "This is a difficult but necessary step the franchise must take.

"We appreciate all Sam has done for the organisation, applaud him for his successes and wish him nothing but the best for his future in basketball."