DeRozan battles flu to star as Raptors bug Philadelphia

TORONTO — Moments after he powered the Toronto Raptors to a 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 win — the Raptors’ largest margin of victory over the Sixers.

DeRozan had gone when reporters entered the lockerroom, so Kyle Lowry spoke for him. “Are you shocked about that? I’m not shocked about that,” Lowry said of DeRozan’s underthe-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.

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 victory 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.”