The Toronto Raptors were looking to extend their franchise record home game win streak to 13 games, but the visiting Houston Rockets had other ideas.
DeMar DeRozan & Kyle Lowry saw that their fellow starters, James Johnson, Luis Scola, and Jonas Valanciunas, were all extremely effective scoring early in the game, and kept feeding the hot hands. Scola scored 11 points, on five of eight shooting in the first quarter. James Johnson was active and effective to start the game as well, posting eight points of his own (including two made three-point field goals), while also handing out three assists, one block, and collecting a steal, all in the first quarter. Valanciunas scored six points, grabbed three rebounds, and a block in just eight minutes played in the first quarter. DeRozan and Lowry combined for just one point in the first quarter, only taking three shots combined, but they combined for seven assists on their teammates’ shots, helping the Raptors find their way to a 30-26 lead over the Rockets after one.
Dwight Howard was leading the charge for the Rockets early, scoring ten points and hauling down four boards in nine minutes of first quarter action. Corey Brewer came off the bench and had a huge impact the Rockets. Brewer scored 23 points (15 in the second half), including five made 3-point field goals. He also added 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.
James Harden had a monster game, scoring 40 points while adding 14 assists, and he got hot when it mattered most. Harden scored 30 points in the second half (12 in the third quarter, and 18 in the fourth). Harden leads the NBA this season in both free throws made and attempted, and he continued that trend going 15-19 from the line in the game.
Harden Highlights:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1uK-WlBkhM]With 2:38 to go in the fourth quarter, and the score tied at 104-104, Dwight Howard committed his sixth foul; fouling out of the game. Clint Capela came in to replace Howard, in the middle, for the Rockets. Capela had two big blocks down the stretch, including denying a Kyle Lowry driving lay up attempt.
The loss was particularly tough to swallow for Toronto, as the Raptors led the game by as many as 18 points (49-31 in the second quarter). This is the sixth time this season the Raptors have lost when leading by 10 points or more during the game.
Luis Scola finished the game with 21 points; his second highest scoring total of the season (he has scored 22 points on three other occasions this season). Jonas Valanciunas earned another double-double, his 15th of the season (in 44 games played), finishing the game with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocked shots.
DeMar DeRozan finished with 19 points (12 in the third quarter), seven assists, and six rebounds, and two steals. He continued to attack the basket, drawing fouls to get to the free throw line. He went 11-14 from the line, coming off his record 24-25 on Friday night. DeRozan is second in NBA this season for free throws made, only behind James Harden.
Kyle Lowry ended the game with 17 points, nine assists, four rebounds, and three steals.
The Rockets’ Dwight Howard scored 21 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and registered two blocks and a steal before he was forced to leave the game after his sixth foul. This was Howard’s 29th double-double of the season (in 52 games played).
Rockets starters, Trevor Ariza & Patrick Beverley, each played 41 minutes, both collected three steals, and they combined for five of ten shooting from three-point range.
This home loss snapped the Raptors’ franchise record 12 game home win streak. It was the first time the Raptors have lost at home since January 3rd, when they fell victim to the Chicago Bulls powered by a 40 point second half barrage by Jimmy Butler.
Tuesday night, March 8th, the Raptors will play host to their division rival, Brooklyn Nets.
Postgame Reactions:
Dwane Casey
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUPjCmqjrF4]DeMar DeRozan
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT5rtZvMJoI]Kyle Lowry
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