Raptors add Ibaka for home stretch
Cavaliers win after Love has surgery
Veteran Toronto guard Kyle Lowry said something had to change with the Raptors. Serge Ibaka is on his way to try to make that happen.
The Raptors acquired the veteran power forward from Orlando on Tuesday for Terrence Ross and a 2017 firstround draft pick.
Orlando general manager Rob Hennigan said Tuesday evening the trade of Ibaka for Ross was necessary for the Magic to have a chance of salvaging a season that has gone drastically off course.
The Raptors made the move with the postseason and possible championship run in mind.
“Any time you can add a talent who has got playoff experience, Finals experience, and a defender and two-way player like Ibaka has got to give us a boost,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said Tuesday night in Chicago before the Raptors fell to the Bulls. “Ibaka fills a huge need.
“His style of play fits our style of play. … There’s nothing we’re doing that he hasn’t seen before. It won’t take him long to pick up the terminology.”
Toronto is 32-24 and stand fifth in the Eastern Conference.
The ugly performance that prompted Lowry’s comments came Sunday when the Raptors gave up a 16-point lead to start the fourth quarter and lost to the Detroit Pistons.
“Keep getting in the same situations over and over and not being successful,” Lowry said after the 102-101 loss. “Something’s got to give, something’s got to change.”
Ibaka averaged 15.1 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Magic this season. He has long been considered a rugged defensive power forward and has experience making deep playoff runs with Oklahoma City. He will be a free agent this summer.
OAKLEY SAGA: A person briefed on the discussions told the AP that Madison Square Garden has lifted its ban of Charles Oakley.
The person says the former Knicks star who was arrested at a game last week is welcome back at the arena.
Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan banned Oakley on Friday, two days after the ex-power forward had an altercation with security while attending a game. But the sides reconciled quickly, helped by a meeting Monday at NBA headquarters with Commissioner Adam Silver.
Tuesday games
CAVALIERS 116, TIMBERWOLVES 108: In Minneapolis, LeBron James had 25 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds as Cleveland beat Minnesota.
Channing Frye had 21 points and 10 rebounds while starting for All-Star Kevin Love, who will miss at least the next six weeks after having surgery on his left knee Tuesday. Kyre Irving scored 25 points for the Cavaliers.
BULLS 105, RAPTORS 94: In Chicago, Doug McDermott scored 20 points, and All-Star Jimmy Butler had 19 points as Chicago beat Toronto for the 11th straight time. Kyle Lowry had 22 points for Toronto.
KINGS 97, LAKERS 96: In Los Angeles, DeMarcus Cousins hit a free throw with 9 seconds left to break a 96-96 tie as Sacramento beat LA.
Cousins had a game-high 40 points. The Lakers, who rallied from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit, were led by Lous Williams’ 29 points.