DeRozan rebounds from flu bug to score 30
Moments after powering the Toronto Raptors to a thorough thumping of the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, DeMar DeRozan was gone, bolting home to go to bed.
Fighting a flu bug that had him listed as questionable earlier in the day, DeRozan scored 30 points, including 14 free throws, in a historic 128-94 National Basketball Association win — the Raptors’ largest margin of victory over the Sixers.
DeRozan was already gone when reporters entered the locker-room, so Kyle Lowry spoke for him.
“Are you shocked about that? I’m not shocked about that,” Lowry said of DeRozan’s under-the-weather performance. “That’s what he does. I think we gave him a little bit more time to isolate tonight . ... Given the opportunity to take his time and be patient, he pretty much gets what he wants.”
The win was Toronto’s 16th over Philly in 17 games, and eclipsed a 32-point win on Nov. 9, 2014.
Serge Ibaka had 21 points, including five three-pointers, Lowry finished with 17 points, Jakob Poeltl and Delon Wright had 14 points apiece, and Lucas Nogueira chipped in with 10 for the Raptors (2-0), who lost Jonas Valanciunas late in the first half to a sprained left ankle.
It was a more balanced win than opening night, when the Raptors’ young second unit stole the show.
“The starters don’t forget how to play basketball,” said coach Dwane Casey. “There’s a million different ways to skin a cat . ... We’ve got to be the best Toronto Raptors team we can be. Offensively, there’s a niche we have to find, keep moving the ball and most of all what I liked was our defensive intensity.”
Former Raptor Jerryd Bayless led the rebuilding (0-3) Sixers with 16 points.