It also means that anything goes for the Cavs from here forward, and the Raptors shouldn’t expect this excellent team to be the one they could see in the playoffs.
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Trailing by over 33,000 votes in the second ballot return, the citizens of Canada were wide awake and they kicked their support for arguably the best point guard in the East to a whole new level. “You just really nit-pick the game”.
Jonas Valanciunas had his eighth double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 rebounds and Luis Scola added 18 points for the Raptors (27-15). They are now tied with the Boston Celtics for eighth-place with nine games remaining before the NBA All-Star Break.
In a stunning midseason move, the Cavaliers fired head coach David Blatt despite having the best record in the Eastern Conference (30-11) following their run to last year’s National Basketball Association finals. Dwyane Wade (shoulders), Luol Deng (eye), Hassan Whiteside (strained left oblique muscle) and Goran Dragic (strained left calf) are out.
“We never adjusted to what they were doing and all of those guys got real comfortable”, said Jae Crowder, who had 17 points for the Celtics, who fell 5 ½ games back of Atlantic Divison-leading Raptors. In all, the Heat were missing six players against one of the league’s hottest teams. Toronto led 96-90 after the three quarters.
“That team over there is a championship team”, he said Friday morning.
So, maybe the best conclusion is mixed results? Seeing him now, able to control a game.
It was 60-44 at the half with Terrence Ross (12 points on 4-for-4 shooting) and DeRozan keeping the scoreboard ticking.
“If we’re bottom of the barrel, he’s not an all-star probably”, he said. “We want to clean those up”. Lee has been in and out of the rotation all year long and is now out as he hasn’t played in the Celtics last six games.
DeRozan had 15 of the Raptors’ points in the first quarter on 6-of-9 shooting as Toronto led by as many as 13.
Every time Miami attempted to make a run, the Raptors answered.
It was the fourth loss in a row for the Heat (23-21).
Whatever the case, you probably don’t really pay Demar DeRozan the attention he deserves.
So Toronto’s streak hits seven and DeRozan proved again why it’s a certainty he’ll get his due when the All-Star reserves are announced Thursday. Teams that don’t win close games do not make noise in the standings. But you can’t let them cut it to single digits. “We’re maintaining our principles and we’re maintaining our composure”.
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Lou Williams, Jordan Clarkson and D’Angelo Russell scored 16 points apiece for the Lakers, who lost their fifth straight and ninth in 10 games. As far as moments in time go, this is a pretty good one to be a Raptors fan. They are also trying to hold off the Washington Wizards who are slowly climbing the group as they rebound from their slow start to the season.
