Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) is hugged by Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) after Lowry made the game winning basket to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers during second half NBA basketball action in Toronto on Friday, February 26, 2016. Jonas Valanciunas, who took a hard elbow to the ribs from James and spent part of the third quarter being examined in the locker-room, finished with 11 points and nine rebounds. That 20-game surge came directly after the Raptors were crushed 122-100 at Cleveland on January 4 despite a combined 42 points from Lowry and DeRozan. The Raptors’ top scorer, battling flu-like symptoms all night, had just six points on 1-for-11 shooting.
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Andre Drummond was held to more subdued numbers than he’s used to against the Raptors, averaging 11.5 points and 12.5 rebounds, and although he scored only 15 points on Saturday, he played a key role inside in Detroit’s 102-91 win at Milwaukee.
LeBron James, who scored 25, had a chance to win the game with a 3-pointer at the buzzer, but his shot missed the rim completely as time expired. It didn’t go too well.
The Raptors have also shown they can contend with the best teams, as shown by their win over the Cavaliers at home in their very first meeting.
Lowry made two free throws to pad the lead to 95-92, but Love’s 3-pointer tied the score and two free throws from the U.S. Olympian put Cleveland back in front with 1:08 to play. “They’ve got some talent over there”, Lowry said of the young Timberwolves, who just prior to the All-Star break beat the Raptors 117-112 in Minnesota.
“My first game victor in my illustrious 10-year career”, he said, noting that he was at Villanova that last time he’d done that.
The Cavs jumped out to a fast 7-0 lead as the Raptors missed their first seven shots and called for a timeout.
A night after yielding 51 points and 10 3-pointers to Stephen Curry in a 130-114 loss to Golden State, the Magic were barely in the game after the first 10 minutes. But then LeBron checked back in and while the game stayed close(ish) for a stretch, the idea of a Raptors win began to inexorably drift away. The result has been positive as both have lifted their games this season as the Cavaliers continue to get better.
Toronto head coach Dwane Casey also played down the significance of the victory despite pre-game talk of a potential Eastern Conference finals preview.
This game is likely to be one that the Raptors have had circled on their calendar for a while.
The Raptors trailed by as many as 14 points, but highlighted their tremendous spirit, by refusing to quit.
It was the 33rd double-double of the season for Wall, who had a triple-double in Washington’s victory over Philadelphia on February 5. DeRozan and Wiggins scored eight points each to lead their respective teams. The Raptors are riding a nine game home winning streak SU and a three game winning streak overall.
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Forward Doug McDermont had 20 points for the Bulls and center Paul Gasol had his 33rd double-double of the season, grabbing 17 rebounds and scoring 16 points. Smith’s finger-roll layup got the lead to 12. Does any of this matter until they prove themselves in mid-April and finally get the playoff monkey off their back?
