Early in the season, the Raptors were known for helping break other team’s losing slumps. Now, they’re snapping their own. In back to back games, the Raptors ended a 14-game losing streak to the Phoenix Suns and a 12-game losing streak to the Utah Jazz with a 111-106 win in double OT.
Yet again, the Raptors fell down early, trailing by as many as 18 before using a 9-0 run to trail 32-23 after one quarter. However, the tempo of the game changed when Dwane Casey provided a different look defensively, playing a zone defense, and the Raptors managed to draw even at 50-50 going into the second half.
Andrea Bargnani helped keep the Raptors close with his 25 points, James Johnson chipped in on the defensive end with a career-high 6 blocks and Jose Calderon forced OT with a 3 to tie it at the end of regulation.
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One negative coming out of the game was that Andrea reaggravated his left calf strain and had to sit out in the first OT. He will be reevaluated tomorrow. However, Linas Kleiza provided the offensive spark once Bargnani went down. He finished with 25 points including 4-9 from 3. Calderon provided the dagger down the stretch, hitting a long, shot-clock beating 3 to push the Raptors lead to 6 with 1:26 left in 2OT.
Rejoice Raps fans, a 2-game WINNING streak!
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