TheToronto Raptors, coming off a losing road trip, were not in a position to donate a win to the Dallas Mavericks. Instead, the home team played perhaps its best game since Kyle Lowry went on the shelf. Despite receiving no points from Serge Ibaka, the Raptors took an early lead, defended well, and never allowed the visitors to rally.
DeMar DeRozan missed his first few shots, but not many after that. He provided a game-high 25 points on 17 shots, which included a 3-ball. The Raptors made 9 of 25 from beyond the arc, or 36%, which shouldn’t excite the pulse but does after their recent futility.