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NBA roundup Raptors finally defeat Heat
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
TORONTO — For the first time in five years, the Toronto Raptors picked up a win over the Miami Heat on Friday night.
Guard Kyle Lowry led the Raptors to a 102-92 victory with 19 points, eight assists, eight rebounds and seven steals at the Air Canada Centre.
The win halted a stretch of 16 consecutive Toronto losses to Miami — the Raptors’ longest losing streak against one team in franchise history. Toronto (39-26) last beat Miami (29-36) on Jan. 27, 2010.
Friday’s win snapped Toronto’s four-game losing streak and was just the third Raptors win in 11 games.
A Chicago Bulls loss coupled with the Raptors’ win moved Toronto into a tie for third in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors have two games in hand on the Bulls.
Lowry was 7 of 12 from the field and made 5 of 8 from three-point range. Guard DeMar DeRozan added 18 points and six assists and guard Lou Williams had 14 points and four rebounds off the bench for the Raptors.
Heat guard Dwayne Wade had game-high 25 points and four assists.
Celtics 95, Magic 88
BOSTON — Evan Turner staged a one-man show in the closing minutes, and rebuilding Boston continued an improbable run at a playoff berth with a come-from-behind victory over Orlando.
The veteran guard scored 11 of his team’s last 16 points over the final 3:46 (nine of its 10 at one point). He also made a key defensive play and subsequent pass as the Celtics kept pace in what has become a three-team battle for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
With fellow guard Isaiah Thomas missing his second straight game with elbow and back bruises, Turner finished with a season-high 30 points. He also had five rebounds and four assists as Boston won for the fifth time in the last six games and improved to 8-3 in the last 11.
Thunder 113, Timberwolves 99
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City overcame an injury to another starter in a blowout win over struggling Minnesota, pulling into a tie with the New Orleans Pelicans for the eighth playoff spot.
In what was a highly competitive contest for most of three quarters, Oklahoma City (36-29) earned a 113-99 win, handing the Timberwolves (14-50) their third loss in a row.
Forward Kevin Durant is scheduled to be out 1-2 more weeks as he continues recovery from a surgical procedure on his foot, and forward Serge Ibaka sat out Friday’s contest with knee soreness, thrusting rookie forward Mitch McGary into the starting lineup.
Minnesota was also playing with some significant players sidelined by injury. Forward Kevin Garnett and center Nikola Pekovic, both normally in the starting lineup, missed the contest.
76ers 114, Kings 107
PHILADELPHIA — Center DeMarcus Cousins had a huge night for Sacramento, but he was overshadowed by the smallest player on the court.
Backup point guard Ish Smith, generously listed at 6 feet, keyed a second-half run as Philadelphia rallied from an 18-point third-quarter deficit to beat Sacramento 114-107.
Forward Robert Covington scored 24 points to lead Philadelphia (15-50), which won for just the second time in seven games. Center Nerlens Noel had 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Smith contributed 10 points and nine assists in 25 minutes. Cousins matched his season high of 39 points and had a career-high 24 rebounds. Forward Rudy Gay notched 24 points for Sacramento (22-42), which fell for the fifth time in six games.
The Kings, who were seeking to win consecutive games for the first time since late November, are also ensured a ninth straight losing season.
Hornets 101, Bulls 91
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Guard Gerald Henderson scored 20 points to lead seven players in double figures and Charlotte dominated the second half for a win over Chicago.
The Hornets trailed 40-21 two minutes into the second quarter but roared back from there and eventually led by as many as 18 in the fourth quarter. They outscored Chicago 25-10 in the third quarter and 16-6 to open the fourth.
The Hornets (29-35) snapped a two-game losing streak. They held a 55-36 rebound edge, with 17 offensive rebounds and 27 second-chance points.
Guard Mo Williams scored 18 points, forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist scored 13, forward Marvin Williams had 12 and centers Jason Maxiell and Bismack Biyombo and guard Kemba Walker all contributed 10. Biyombo also had 10 rebounds.
