Raptors slip past Pelicans in OT
Kyle Lowry scored 33 points, including a huge basket with four seconds left in overtime, to lift the Toronto Raptors over the New Orleans Pelicans, 108-106, in National Basketball Association action Tuesday night.
The victory was just the struggling Raptors’ second in eight outings.
Lowry also had 10 assists for a double-double. Jonas Valanciunas added 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Raptors (3019), who were playing for the fourth time in five games without all-star guard DeMar DeRozan. Norman Powell added 18 points.
Jrue Holiday led New Orleans (19-30) with 30 points.
The Raptors have been mired in their worst slump in a couple of seasons. The culprit, according to coach Dwane Casey: their defence. The coach was livid after Sunday’s 114-113 loss to Orlando, calling the team’s defensive effort “atrocious.” Their defence was horrible at points again Tuesday as they fell behind by 14 points. But they came out aggressive after halftime and a big third quarter got them back in the game. The Raptors led 77-75 with one quarter to play.
The Raptors are on the road for their next three games. Following Boston, they head to Orlando on Friday.