Lowry inspires Raptors to record 10th straight win
Kyle Lowry had 26 points and 10 assists, DeMar DeRozan also scored 26 points and the Toronto Raptors set a franchise record with their 10th consecutive victory, 103-93 over the New York Knicks on Thursday night. Jonas Valanciunas added 11 points and 18 rebounds for Toronto. Arron Afflalo had 20 points for the undermanned Knicks, who matched a season high with a fourth straight defeat. New York was without starters Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and Jose Calderon. The Raptors surpassed their nine straight victories between March 22 and April 9, 2002. They left the Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic as the only NBA teams without a winning streak of 10 games of more, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Meanwhile, the Bucks missed 15 of their 16 3-point shots and finished at 37 percent overall. hit four of his five 3-pointers to lead Denver over reeling Washington. After the Wizards, who have lost five of six, clawed back from an 18-point, thirdquarter deficit to tie the game at 99-all, Gary Harris and Gallinari hit consecutive 3-pointers for a 105-99 lead with 3:16 to go. Emmanuel Mudiay added 20 points for the Nuggets, who rebounded from Wednesday night’s loss in Boston with a sharp performance from the 3-point line, going 9 for 18. Garrett Temple had 20 points for Washington, which put seven players in double figures. John Wall, chosen an NBA All-Star for the third time in his career, had 17 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Wall was just 5 for 17 from the field and missed five of his seven 3-point attempts.