Toronto (Canada) (AFP) - DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points as a physical Toronto Raptors outmuscled the New York Knicks 116-101 on Sunday.
DeRozan added five assists and five rebounds for Toronto but it was the no-nonsense defensive effort from his team that delighted Raptors coach Dwane Casey.
"I was really proud of the way the starters came out and set the tone, especially starting the third quarter," Casey said.
"(We) came out, set the tone defensively and built a 30-plus (point) lead, so my hats off to those guys."
Kyle Lowry, who finished with 16 points, nine assists and four rebounds, for Toronto, agreed.