Raptors beat Wolves 114-105 for 9th straight home win

“My first game victor in my illustrious 10-year career”, he said, noting that he was at Villanova that last time he’d done that.

The Cavaliers called a timeout to regroup, but LeBron James, who led the Cavs with a team-high 25 points, missed a three-pointer as the time went up, sealing the victory for the host team.

Lowry scored 43 points, surpassing his previous season high of 41 set this season against the Golden State Warriors. “It was tough, but I’m happy we got the win”, DeRozan said.

“I think every game we look at as a test”, said forward James Johnson.

Lowry’s 15-for-20 performance also helped make up for an ineffective night from the team’s top scorer, DeMar DeRozan, who was suffering from flu-like symptoms and was held to a season-low six points.

Raptors coach Dwane Casey had insisted all day that this top-two matchup was just another game, and not a possible playoff preview, and he refused to change his tune following the victory. The Wolves were able to trade a few baskets with the Raptors after that point, but were never able to get it to a one possession game and truly threaten the Raptors. “We came in here focused on defence”. This can be a statement game for the Raptors and they are a flawless 3-0 against the spread this season as a home underdog. “It’s going to be a test for us”, Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry told reporters of the Cavaliers. Cleveland has slightly better defense and are coming off a strong win over a good team in Charlotte, so they have the small edge here. It happened in the first half and it happened in the second half, lead both times by Lowry, who went 15-of-20 on his career night.

The team has not lost a game at home since January 3 against Chicago. Atlanta moved into fifth place in the East.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (37-18): Lowry started for the Eastern Conference in the All-Star Game in Toronto on February 14 and is averaging 22.3 points in three games since returning from the break.

Smith’s finger-roll layup got the lead to 12. Ross finished with nine points.

DeMarcus Cousins had 26 points and 15 rebounds for the Kings.

Dallas turned a 56-44 midway deficit into a 122-116 success over the Denver Nuggets, with Chandler Parsons pouring in 27 points for the Mavericks.

The Raptors led by three points at the half and one point after the third quarter before going ahead by nine early in the fourth quarter. Kevin Love leads in rebounds with 10.2 per game.

George led the way for IN with 32 points. Center Jahlil Okafor had 21 points to lead Philadelphia.

The Timberwolves were just 8 for 21 (38 percent) in the fourth. He averaged 31 points and 8.3 assists in the season series.

Wiggins had 18 points at the half. Walker added 10 assists, and IN native Cody Zeller had 14 points and five rebounds.

But Lowry, who was spectacular all night in the virtual absence DeRozan, led a comeback seemingly by sheer will, and when he got fouled on a bucket right in front of the Cavs bench with 3:59 to play, he pumped a fist and hollered in Cleveland’s direction. Minnesota rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns put up 35 points and 11 rebounds in the 117-112 win over Toronto on February 10 and rolled up another double-double in the win over the Celtics.