MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- In a fitting beginning for Raptors 905, a Canadian provided several of the highlight-reel moments.

Sim Bhullar, who grew in Brampton, Ont., just a short drive from Mississauga's Hershey Centre, threw down several monstrous dunks Thursday in the inaugural home-opener for Raptors 905 -- the Toronto Raptors' new NBA Development League team.

Raptors 905 dropped a 109-104 decision to the Maine Red Claws to remain winless through its first three games -- perhaps not the way the franchise hoped to usher in a new era for Canadian basketball.

But the team and league officials say the new franchise is about a lot more than wins and losses.

"Thrilled about it," said Mark Tatum, NBA D-League president. "Very excited to be here with our record 19th team. It was a really fun process, but a really timely one. Masai (Ujiri, Raptors' general manager) and Tim Leiweke (former CEO and president of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.) really set out a compelling vision for the business of basketball. . ."

The Raptors had been keen to have a D-League team close to home, where they could send young players such as Brazilians Bruno Caboclo and Lucas Nogueira to get valuable playing time.

A near-capacity crowd of 6,007 fans turned out for the inaugural game, paying anywhere from $9.05 up to $85 for court-side seats. They tugged on free T-shirts and banged Thunderstix. A noisy Toronto FC supporters group took over one section, singing and chanting throughout the night.

Scott Suggs had 21 points to lead Raptors 905, whose name represents the area code of the Greater Toronto Area.

The 905s trailed by as many as 11 points and went into the fourth quarter down 81-74. A huge dunk from Nogeuira would pull them to within two with three minutes to play, but that was as close as the home team would come.

Nogueira finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Bhullar finished with eight points.

The squad has four Canadian players, including one named Wiggins -- Nick, the older brother of Minnesota Timberwolves star Andrew Wiggins. Keanau Post and Ashton Smith, both from Victoria, are the other two.

Raptors 905 coach Jesse Mermuys said the presence of Bhullar, a seven-foot-four centre who became the first player of Indian descent to play in the NBA for Sacramento, was an important addition because the team wanted to mirror the community.

"Just like the Raptors, we're the only D-League team in the country. We take pride in that," Mermuys said.

"I felt it was also really important to bring a local guy (Nathaniel Mitchell) on to my coaching staff," he added. "We want to go out and get local talent on our team. It's a representation of the community, and a bonus to grow the game. That's kind of all what this thing is about. Let's grow the game. Let's grow the young talent in this country and for the Raptors, and see where we go."

Red Claws coach Scott Morrison is also Canadian, a native of Morell, P.E.I., who won NBA D-League coach of the year honours last season.

Moments before tip-off, Morrison said he was looking forward to singing O Canada.

"This will be my 56th game, first time hearing the anthem," Morrison said. "I'm pretty excited."

Raptors 905 play Friday and Sunday at Maine, and are back home to host Idaho on Wednesday.