Raptors win in Lin’s debut
TORONTO — Pascal Siakam had 44 points and OG Anunoby added 22, both career highs, as the Toronto Raptors rallied to down the Washington Wizards 129-120 on Wednesday night for their sixth straight win.
Kawhi Leonard (knee soreness) was out but newly acquired guard Jeremy Lin was in for the Raptors (43-16) in a makeshift lineup.
After trailing by 10 early, Washington was up by six at the half and pushed the lead to 12 in the third at 80-68. But a 20-2 run with Kyle Lowry leading the way turned the tide for Toronto in a back-and-forth game.
The Raptors, stiffening their defence, outscored the Wizards 44-28 in the third to lead 103-93.
Washington (24-34) kept clawing its way back and got to within one at 112-111. But Lowry and Siakam reeled off a 7-0 run and Toronto held firm the rest of the way as the Wizard fightback faded.
It was the last game for both teams before the all-star break. The Raptors and Wizards resume play on Feb. 22, with Toronto welcoming DeMar DeRozan and the San Antonio Spurs.
Lowry finished with 14 points and 13 assists, while Lin debuted with eight points, five assists and five rebounds for Toronto.
Siakam’s previous career high was 33 points, while Anunoby’s was 21. Siakam, who scored 30 points in the second half, added 10 rebounds and two assists.
Toronto’s 43 wins before the allstar break are a franchise record. The Raptors have won 13 of their last 14 at Scotiabank Arena and are 24-5 at home this season.
The Wizards, who were coming off a 121-112 loss on Monday in Detroit, have lost five of their last seven. Toronto was the third stop of a four-game road trip.