Holly MacKenzie – Raptors.com
The Spurs went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line in the final minute to close out a 102-95 victory over the Toronto Raptors. The loss dropped Toronto to 51-25 on the season, while moving San Antonio to a perfect 39-0 at home.
The Spurs caught a break on Saturday, as the Raptors gave All-Stars Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan the second night of a back-to-back off for rest. Toronto went with a starting lineup of Cory Joseph, Norman Powell, James Johnson, Luis Scola and Jonas Valanciunas as Scola returned after a two-game absence because of a sore knee.
The first half was up and down for Toronto as the Raptors worked to figure things out without their two leading scorers on the floor. San Antonio led by eight after the opening quarter, as Toronto was held to just 18 points on 38 percent shooting. Things got better in the second; With the Raptors connecting on 63 percent of their shots, they were able to keep pace with San Antonio in the quarter and the Spurs went into the half holding a nine-point advantage.
With the Spurs extending to a 12-point advantage over the Raptors with four minutes remaining in the third quarter, Toronto got to work. Thanks to a 3-pointer from Patrick Patterson, a jumper from Terrence Ross, and an assist, steal and dunk from Norman Powell, the Raptors closed the quarter on a 9-2 run to trim the deficit to five. Toronto wouldn’t lead in the fourth, but got within four with 2:52 remaining, to push the Spurs until the final buzzer.
Norman Powell led the Raptors in scoring against San Antonio. He played 32 minutes, finishing with 17 points on 6-for-10 field goals. He connected on one of his two attempts from deep, four of five free throws, and added three rebounds, two assists, and a steal as he continues to make his case for being the steal of the 2015 NBA Draft.
Cory Joseph started in place of Kyle Lowry and played 33 minutes. He finished with 16 points and seven assists, while adding a rebound, and a steal. Rookie Delon Wright played 22 minutes with Lowry out, making the most of them, scoring 12 points off the bench on 5-for-8 shooting. Wright made both of his free throws, and added four rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
“I thought they were fantastic. They were aggressive. I thought they executed really well. Drove the ball really well, we didn’t stay in front of them very well. I thought they were fantastic. There is a reason why they are doing what they are doing in the East.” – Spurs coach Gregg Popovich on the Raptors
32…Rebounds for the Raptors, compared to 47 for the Spurs. San Antonio held a 15-6 edge on the offensive glass. 10…Just 10 free throw attempts for Toronto compared to 30 for the Spurs. San Antonio shot 27-for-30 from the free throw line, while the Raptors went 9-for-10 on free throws. 33…Career-high 33 points for Kawhi Leonard to go with seven assists, six rebounds, three steals, and a blocked shot. LaMarcus Aldridge added 31 points and 15 rebounds for the Spurs. 6…Players in double figures for the Raptors: Norman Powell (17), Jonas Valanciunas (16), Cory Joseph (16), Terrence Ross (13), Patrick Patterson (12), Delon Wright (12). 52…Points in the paint for Toronto, 36 for San Antonio
“I loved the fight, l loved the spirit. The young guys came in and competed. You’re talking about a potential championship team right there [in the Spurs] from top to bottom, we didn’t back down. Again, there’s no moral victories in this league. The only thing that is important in this league is winning. But I did like our spirit and we keep that same fight and spirit, and that our two guys [DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry] back is going to help us.” – Dwane Casey disappointed with the loss, but pleased with his team’s effort “I feel like we made a step in the right direction we’ve got two guys down, our main guys. Other guys stepped up today. Delon did a great job, obviously Norm did a great job. That’s an opportunity that will help us in the long run.” – Cory on a loss in a close game without two starters “Be aggressive. Try to bring energy. It’s a once in a lifetime type thing, as a rookie, to play against those type of players. I just wanted to be aggressive, take my time and try to do my best.” – Delon Wright on an opportunity against the Spurs “I was pumped up. It felt good to be back. It was an exciting game for me. Obviously a little upset that we lost but I felt we put forth a good effort and it was a step in the right direction for us.” – Cory Joseph on starting in his return to San Antonio
Up next: The Raptors head home to prepare for the Charlotte Hornets at the Air Canada Centre on Tuesday at 7:30 P.M. ET.
