After a disappointing loss the night before, the Toronto Raptors rebounded with a 104-97 road win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. The Raptors have now won twelve of their last thirteen games.
It wasn’t pretty for the Raptors early in the first quarter. The Suns got out to a 7-0 start, and managed to score 32 points in the first quarter. The Raptors had the hot hand as well, scoring 28 points in the first quarter, but didn’t have an answer for what the Suns were doing offensively. The Raptors settled in and found their game in the second quarter specifically, scoring 24 points, but more importantly holding the Suns to just 13 points in the second quarter. The second half was a dead heat as the teams matched each other point for point the rest of the way, and the Raptors held on for the 7 point win.
Earlier in the day, the ‘McFlurry Brothers’, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, were named co-NBA Eastern Conference Players of the Month for January 2016.
“3 a.m. McFlurry runs,” starring @DeMar_DeRozan and used-to-be-fat @Klow7. -Charlie pic.twitter.com/6EjDk8xq9k
— Dan Le Batard Show (@LeBatardShow) January 28, 2016
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Both Lowry & DeRozan continued to lead their team, posting very efficient numbers for the game. Lowry finished with 26 points (including 5 made 3-point field goals, and 53% from the field), 4 assists and 2 steals, and just ONE turnover. DeMar DeRozan finished with 22 points (shooting 50% from the field) and 3 assists.
Terrence Ross another solid night, scoring 16 points on 6 of 11 shooting. Bismack Biyombo held things down on the glass, pulling down 12 total rebounds. The always steady Cory Joseph added 10 points and also dished out 4 assists, and Jonas Valanciunas had another solid game, scoring 14 points while adding 6 rebounds.
Norman Powell got the nod to start at small forward in the game, as he has stepped in for James Johnson who is currently recovering from his left ankle sprain suffered in the Raptors’ loss vs. the Nuggets. Powell logged 15 minutes in the game.
The Suns had just relieved their head coach, Jeff Hornacek, of his duties, the day before, and newly appointed head coach Earl Watson will now coach the Phoenix Suns for the duration of the season.
As mentioned earlier, the Suns came out hot from the beginning (as their namesake would suggest, despite having a tough season to this point), and got some fantastic performances in the game from Markieff Morris, Devin Booker, and Archie Goodwin.
Morris was everywhere, posting near triple double with 30 points (on 13-20 shooting!!), 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. Devin Booker was automatic from long distance, scoring 27 points (going 9-19 from the field), including six made 3-point field goals. Goodwin scored 18 points (on 7 of 12 shooting), and added an impressive game high 12 assists.
Postgame Reactions:
DeMar DeRozan
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IAHuuPe684]Norman Powell
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b9Az9i4Rug]Patrick Patterson
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQoVs4boq0c]Dwane Casey
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_-xeA4hGHE]Kyle Lowry
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