Raptors pull away to win at Detroit
AUBURN HILLS, Michigan: TORONTO PULLED away early in the fourth quarter to set up a 103-89 victory at Detroit on Monday night, making it 14 wins from 15 games and extending the Raptors lead in the NBA Atlantic Division to five games.
The Raptors have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland, which beat Sacramento 120100, thanks to LeBron James’ 40th career triple double.
Among other results, Portland won 112-106 in overtime at Memphis and Orlando surged back from a big deficit to also win 117-110 in overtime on the road, at Atlanta.
Toronto’s Kyle Lowry scored 25 points and Terrence Ross added 18 points for the Raptors, who recovered quickly after Detroit’s Andre Drummond made a shot from about 80 feet to end the third quarter.
Toronto led 70-65 at the start of the fourth and went on an 11-2 run to quickly take control of the contest.
Cleveland won with James contributing 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. It was the 40th triple double of his career, but the first this season for the four-time league MVP.
Kyrie Irving matched his season high with 32 points for Cleveland.
Portland’s Damian Lillard scored 33 points to help the Trail Blazers defeat Memphis 112-106. C.J. McCollum scored the first three baskets of overtime and finished with 21 points for Portland. Mike Conley’s 27 points led the Grizzlies, who lost in overtime for the second straight night.
Atlanta came from 18 points down in the third quarter to force overtime and then beat Atlanta 117-110. Nikola Vucevic was a key to the comeback, scoring 25 points after halftime after only three in the first half.
Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant scored 25 of his 32 points in the second half to help the Thunder win 122-106 against Phoenix, which has lost eight straight.