The Toronto Raptors were looking forward to getting back on homecourt to face the visiting Utah Jazz, and having the services of their All-Star point guard, Kyle Lowry, who was given the game off to rest in their last game vs. the Detroit Pistons. The Raptors didn’t get the job done in Detroit (especially defensively), snapping a four game winning streak, and the main objective was getting back to winning ways.
The Utah Jazz were rolling in the first quarter, led by Gordon Hayward’s 13 points, on 6 of 9 shooting. The Raptors’ James Johnson was mainly responsible for guarding Hayward in the first half, but he didn’t provide enough resistance leading to Hayward’s success.
After the Raptors’ letdown in Detroit, and a suspect first half in this game vs. the Utah Jazz, the Raptors knew they had to ramp up their defensive effort in the second half. Toronto found a way to slow down the Jazz, specifically Gordon Hayward. Toronto tightened the vice in the third quarter, especially in transition. Kyle Lowry earned all three of his steals in the quarter, which helped lead to 13 fastbreak points for the Raptors in the frame. The Raptors forced Hayward into tougher shots, causing him to shoot two for ten from the field for the rest of the game, finishing the game 9 of 22 from the field, for 26 points. The Raptors also started attacking when they had the opportunity on offense, leading to 33 points in the third quarter for the home team.
Both teams battled in the fourth quarter, with Toronto outscoring Utah 20-19, and it proved to be enough for Toronto to secure the win. The Raptors have now started their latest seven game homestand on the right foot, earning a 104-94 win over the Utah Jazz.
Four other Utah Jazz players finished in double digit scoring: Derrick Favors (15 points), Rudy Gobert (10 points), Raulzinho Neto (10 points), and Trey Burke (11 points). Canadian, and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native, Trey Lyles played just over 25 minutes, scoring 6 just points but also contributed 3 rebounds and two blocked shots.
The Toronto Raptors’ All-Star backcourt was practically unstoppable in this game, combining for 63 points. DeMar DeRozan scored 31 points (11 of 15 from the field) and added five rebounds. Kyle Lowry scored 32 points (13-20 from the field, including three made 3-point field goals), 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals.
The Raptors’ backcourt is the third highest scoring guard duo in the league, behind the second place, Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum (Portland Trailblazers), and the NBA’s highest scoring backcourt duo, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors).
The Raptors had other key contributors in the game, including Jonas Valanciunas who scored 10 points and collected 8 rebounds, as well as Terrence Ross. Ross has been shooting the ball efficiently and providing a scoring punch off the bench as of late, and in this game he contributed 11 points including making three 3-point field goals.
The Toronto Raptors are now 2-0 when DeRozan and Lowry each score 30+ points, as they did in this game, and the Raptors are 13-7 when each of them score 20+ points.
The Raptors have improved their overall record to 40-19, twenty-one games over .500 after 59 games. Toronto now has eleven straight home wins, setting a new franchise record. On the season, the Toronto Raptors are 32-3 when holding their opponent under 100 points. The Raptors remain two games behind the Eastern Conference leading Cleveland Cavaliers in the battle for the East’s top spot.
Postgame Reactions:
Dwane Casey
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Enj90N0Snqo]Kyle Lowry
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6gv-BU3mcA]DeMar DeRozan
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