DeROZAN SCORES CAREER-HIGH 43 AS RAPTORS BEAT CELTICS 107-97
toronto»DeMar DeRozan scored a career-high 43 points and the Toronto Raptors rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 107-97 on Friday night.
DeRozan shot 15 of 28 from the floor as he surpassed his 42point effort against the Houston Rockets on March 30, 2015, helping the Raptors overcome the absence of fellow All-Star Kyle Lowry. Lowry sat out with a right wrist injury.
Serge Ibaka, acquired by trade from the Orlando Magic last week, scored 15 points in his debut, while fellow newcomer P.J. Tucker, picked up from the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, had a game-high 10 rebounds and nine points in his first game for his new team.
Isaiah Thomas scored 20 points for Boston, which also got 19 points each from Jae Crowder and Marcus Smart.
FRIDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
Russell Westbrook scored 17 points in his 28th triple-double of the season, and his new teammates fit in seamlessly as the Thunder defeated the Lakers 110-93. Westbrook also had 18 rebounds and 17 assists for the 65th triple-double of his career. … Dwyane Wade scored 23 points, Jimmy Butler added 22 and the Bulls rallied to beat the Suns 128-121 in overtime. Devin Booker scored 27 points for Phoenix, but missed a chance to win it in regulation after Wade fouled him on a 3-pointer with 1.5 seconds left. Booker hit the first two free throws to tie it, then missed the third. … Tyler Johnson scored 23 points and the resurgent Heat helped add new lift to their playoff hopes by beating the Hawks 108-90. Miami has won 15 of 17 to move to within four games of .500. … Gordon Hayward scored 29 points, Derrick Favors added 19 and the Jazz beat the Bucks 109-95. Hayward finished 11 of 17 from the field. … Karl-Anthony Towns had 26 points and 18 rebounds and Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points to help the Timberwolves beat the Mavericks 9784. … Robert Covington had 25 points and 11 rebounds, Dario Saric added 20 points and 11 boards, and the 76ers beat the Wizards 120-112. … CJ Miles made five 3-pointers and scored 17 points, Paul George had nine points and nine rebounds, and the Pacers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 102-92 victory over the