Raptors handed third straight loss by Knicks

Luis Scola added 11 points for a Raptors team missing both DeMarre Carroll (plantar fasciitis) and Terrence Ross (injured thumb). The visiting NY Knicks edged the Raptors, 111-109 Tuesday night thanks to a missed call from referee Tony Brown. They had been held to 29 second-half points in Miami, their fewest since a 28-point half versus in in 2012. There is no timetable for his return to basketball activities. “I’m getting out of here”.

The absence of those two players had the Raptors experimenting with different lineups.

The Raptors gave up their highest point total of the season, and it was just the second time in eight games that Toronto had allowed 100 or more points. The Knicks are going to have a tough battle with the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics, who have won two straight, for the Atlantic Division title. However, Thomas’ biggest impact seemed to come on the defensive end. Carmelo Anthony tops in points with 21.4 while Jerian Grant leads in assist with 4.0 per game.

They have also defended the three-point lead with plenty of success until last night.

Grant, meanwhile, had a welcome-to-the-NBA-moment in the first half when he had to match up with Kyle Lowry.

DeRozan dumped in seven points in the third quarter to lead Toronto’s comeback effort, while Lowry contributed nine.

The score was tied 85-85 at the start of the fourth. Langston Galloway missed one from the line before hitting the second with 1.5 seconds left.

Instead of the turnover with Toronto having the ball, the Raptors were called for a foul and Lance Thomas made both free throws to extend the Knicks lead to three. “They did tonight, we didn’t, especially down the stretch”. This is from the official transcript of a pool reporter talking to Maloy after the game. Raptors coach Dwane Casey was irate because he believed Anthony stepped out of bounds. At the time Casey complained at length, but it wasn’t until after the game that the officials said they were wrong. That further saps a bench that pulled into the NY game ranked 27th in scoring (25.6 points) and 25th in shooting (39.2). Lance Thomas hit all three of his three-point attempts in a 17-point night.

First, it was Carmelo Anthony. He couldn’t buy a jumper (nor has he been able to most of the early season), shot just 3-for-11, and turned the ball over three times. For that to be true Wednesday in Charlotte, at least one of the 13 will have to sit as Afflalo is expected to be ready for his Knicks debut.