Raps spoil T-Ross’s return
DeRozan scores 36 points in offensive showcase over Magic
TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors made it six straight wins by virtue of deep-sixing the Orlando Magic on a night when plenty of points would be scored, but there was very little drama.
Testimony to the offensive mindset was the final score, 131-112.
This was not the kind of game the Raptors can expect in the upcoming NBA playoffs, but a win is a win and they’ll take it.
Charlotte comes to town Wednesday and the Hornets are tough and defensive oriented and Kemba Walker figures to put a lot of pressure on Toronto’s defence, which cannot afford to play at the level it did against the Magic.
Once again, it was guard DeMar DeRozan leading the Raptors by pouring in a game-high 36 points, taking 21 shots in the process.
Cory Joseph was also efficient, scoring when needed and dishing and rebounding at a high level.
Terrence Ross had 17 points in his return to Toronto as a member of the Magic.
It was 35-34 after one quarter and 73-57 at the half, giving this game more of an All-star Game feel with both teams playing soft defensively.
The Raptors have been dining out on their defence in recent weeks, but it was their offence that staked the team to its lopsided advantage.
The Magic have been playing decent ball of late, going to a small lineup since the Serge Ibaka trade that brought Ross to Orlando.
Ross was warmly received during the player introductions and a classy video tribute played during a timeout, Ross showing his appreciation by waving to the crowd.
Ross made his first three shots, but he also picked up three quick fouls. He was matched up against DeRozan, who began the night by making a careless cross-court pass that led to a turnover. But he was unstoppable the rest of the way, scoring 23 points by halftime on 8-for-12 shooting.
Toronto shot 62.2 per cent from the field in the first half, including 6-for-7 from the three-point line.
Orlando shot 54.8 per cent, but its bench could only generate 13 points.
The 73 points for the Raptors would mark the second time the team scored at least 70 in the opening 24 minutes. Toronto’s highest output in a half came against Brooklyn, when the Raptors lit up the Nets for 78 points in the second half.
One of the more aggressive players for the Raptors on this night was Norm Powell, who bounced back from a poor game against the Mavs by making six of 11 shots, including a perfect 4-for-6 from three-point land. He finished with 16 points.
Arguably the game’s best defensive play came midway through the third when Jonas Valanciunas, who had 17 points, blocked Ross, who had just flashed home a dunk on a previous possession with no one in the 416 area code providing resistance.
Ross would later strip rookie Raptor Jakob Poeltl at midcourt, use his dribble and cap off the sequence with a 360 dunk as Ross recorded his 17th point.
The Raptors weren’t very good in the third, sleepwalking and content to play with no defensive edge.