After a loss to the Celtics in Boston on Thursday night, the Toronto Raptors traveled to Houston for a tilt against the Rockets at Toyota Center, 18,230 fans in attendance (a sellout). The Rockets, who are in a fight for the NBA playoffs in the ultra competitive Western Conference, got the better of the Raptors in their previous match up at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto was hoping for a better result this time around.
It was a game of back and forth runs from both teams, especially in the first half. The Raptors went on a 15-0 run in the second quarter and Houston missed eight straight shots in that stretch, allowing the Raptors to come from behind to take a 48-44 lead. The Raptors kept shooting at a high rate in the second quarter, leading to 37 second quarter points, and took a 58-54 lead into halftime. Defensively, the Raptors were unable to get enough stops or to run the Rockets off the three point line with effectiveness. The Rockets went on a 20-7 run in a stretch during the fourth quarter, contributing to Houston’s 58 second half points overall. The Raptors managed 51 second half points of their own, but essentially were just trading baskets with Houston, with a few runs of their own mixed in. In the end, the Rockets held on for a 112-109 win.
Both DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry were ejected within a two and half to three minute span, late in the fourth quarter. With 2:55 remaining, DeRozan was ejected after receiving a second technical foul after arguing too vehemently with the officials. With just 25.6 seconds remaining, and the Rockets up 107-102, Lowry also received a second technical foul to receive his ejection. Lowry appeared to be walking away from the official, but perhaps it was something he said as he walked away, because the Rockets’ Patrick Beverley was clearly bringing it to the referee’s attention, and the second technical was issued. The Raptors tried to rally with DeRozan and Lowry no longer available, and they kept the score close, but couldn’t overtake the Rockets down the stretch.
James Harden earned a triple-double, his third of the season, with 32 points (11-22 from the field), 13 assists, 11 rebounds. He played at the NBA All-Star and MVP candidate level we’ve come to expect from him, being a catalyst in every facet of the game.
Patrick Beverley was on fire to start the game. He hit his first three 3-point attempts, scoring an early nine points in the first quarter. Beverley finished with 17 points (6-10 from the field, and 5-7 from three), four rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. Michael Beasley got going in the first quarter as well, going five of seven from the field, posting ten points himself in the first quarter. Beasley ended the game with 21 points (9-12 shooting), five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. Corey Brewer stepped up down the stretch against the Raptors once again, scoring seven points in the fourth quarter on three of three shooting. Brewer ended the game with 10 points (four of five shooting) while also collecting two blocks.
James Johnson and Patrick Patterson returned to action in this game for the Raptors, both came off the bench.
Toronto finished with seven players in double digit scoring:
Luis Scola: 16 points (6 of 11) and five rebounds.
DeMar DeRozan: 18 points (6 of 13), five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Jonas Valanciunas: 16 points (6 of 15), 18 rebounds, and two steals.
Norman Powell: 13 points (5 of 13) and four rebounds.
Kyle Lowry: 15 points (4 of 19 overall, 3-10 from three, and 4-9 from the free throw line) and eight assists.
Patrick Patterson: 11 points (5 of 7) and three rebounds.
Cory Joseph: 12 points (4 of 10), three rebounds, and two assists.
Jonas Valanciunas had a very effective and productive game, earning another double-double on the season by hauling down 18 boards (including six on the offensive glass) and scoring 16 points. Valanciunas did foul out of the game on a intentional foul to stop the clock with 0.5 seconds remaining.
Houston Rockets’ center, Dwight Howard, also fouled out of the game, as he seemingly was unable to get into much of a rhythm in the game. Additionally, the Rockets went with a small lineup for long stretches in the game, with forward Michael Beasley playing a lot of time at the center position in the game.
The Raptors, 48-23, have now lost two in a row and will look to get back in the win column against the Pelicans in New Orleans on Saturday night. Toronto has eleven games remaining in the regular season.
Postgame Reactions:
DeMar DeRozan
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN5jGjQOaeM]Dwane Casey
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOI-bGSB-r4]Kyle Lowry
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xetsGHaiHU]Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
