Raptors rolled by OKC Thunder, 119-100

The Toronto Raptors played host to the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder, but the result did not end in the Raptors’ favour. The Raptors would fail to win what would’ve been their 50th win of the season, as they had their first opportunity to set a new franchise record for wins in a regular season. The Toronto Raptors led for just fifteen seconds in this game, with the score 31-30 in the second quarter with the Raptors overcoming a nine point deficit to take the lead. Overall, the Raptors were dominated by the Oklahoma City Thunder who led by as many as 26 points in the game. The Thunder scored 34 points and 36 points in the second and third quarters, respectively, and cruised to a 119-100 win.

Russell Westbrook earned his 16th triple-double of the season and his seventh this month, tying Michael Jordan’s mark of recording the most triple doubles recorded in a single month (April 1989). Westbrook posted an impressive 26 points (10-16 from the field), 11 rebounds, and 12 assists. Not to be outdone, NBA All-Star and 2014 NBA MVP, Kevin Durant scored 34 points to go along with eight assists, and eight rebounds.

Postgame, it was revealed that Kyle Lowry has been playing with his bothersome right elbow since January 14th when the Raptors traveled to London, England to play the Orlando Magic earlier this season in the NBA Global Games. Coincidentally, Lowry apparently re-aggravated it during the March 20th game vs. the Orlando Magic, and he has been noticeably affected by it since.

Raptors’ rookie, Norman Powell, continues to shine, as he went on to set a new career high in points in the game; scoring 18, including four made three-point field goals, to go along with four rebounds and two blocked shots.

DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors in scoring for the game with his 19 points, along with five assists. Kyle Lowry scored 11 points, on 4-14 shooting, while handing out four assists in 37 minutes played. As mentioned, Lowry is still struggling with his elbow injury which has limited his effectiveness. Jonas Valanciunas recorded a double-double, with ten points and ten rebounds. Patrick Patterson led the Raptors’ bench in scoring with 13 points. Patterson also added three rebounds, two blocks, and a steal.

The Thunder have now won 8 straight games. The Raptors on the other hand have now lost three of their last four games, with nine games remaining in their regular season. With Kyle Lowry’s troublesome right elbow, and DeMarre Carroll not yet back to game action and seemingly no return date in sight, the Raptors are likely going to be erring on the side of caution with players’ rest and playing time through these final nine games of the season.

M.V.T. (Most Valuable Tweet)…on this night, it proved to be prophetic (shootaround/pre-game quote):

Russ Westbrook was told Casey said Raptors would have a wall of two guys at him at all times. “They better get three.”

— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) March 28, 2016

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Postgame Reactions:

Dwane Casey

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJcykEO4Oxs]

DeMar DeRozan

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MciXJaiG5e0]

Kyle Lowry

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsmsADPxCsI]

Norman Powell

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_COR5eURlKA]