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Raptors score season-best 132 points to outlast Nets

Xinhua, January 14, 2017 Adjust font size:

The Toronto Raptors scored a team's season-high 132-113 victory over Brooklyn Nets in Friday's evening NBA action.

With the win, Toronto improves to 26-13 on the season and 14-6 at Air Canada Center, which has now been sold out for a franchise-record 111 consecutive games.

The scoring output surpasses the season's previous best of 128 points on Dec. 3 against the Atlanta Hawks. This offensive effort was also the most points scored in franchise history in a game that did not require overtime, edging out the 131 points scored against the New York Knicks in a Apr. 14, 2010 victory.

Despite their offensive barrage and winning by 19 points, Raptors head coach Dwane Casey was not impressed with his team's effort that resulted in first three quarters so tightly contested against the league's worst team by record.

"It's human nature, a phenomenon I've never been able to figure out," said Casey after the game. "You can't play with fire like that and let a team hang around and try to win it in the end."

Entering the game, Brooklyn owned a record of 8-30 on the season and had lost 14 straight games on the road. In the first three frames, the Raptors were unable to sustain a lead greater than eight points and ended the third up 90-89.

Toronto woke up in the fourth with 21-2 run in the first five minutes of the quarter to stretch their lead to 20 points and out of reach. In the end, Toronto finished with 42 points, tying a franchise-record for points in the fourth quarter.

"I thought our guys picked it up, got upset with themselves and decided to start to compete a little bit harder," said Casey. "We found a way, which is great."

Raptors had seven players score in double figures, including all five starters. Two-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan led the way with a game-high 28 points without playing the fourth quarter. Teammate Kyle Lowry chipped in with 20 points and six assists, while center Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and 10 rebounds for his team leading 14th double-double of the season. Endit