• Recap
• Bleachers

Raptors get revenge against Maccabi Tel Aviv

Oct 20, 2006 - 2:02 AM TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Toronto Raptors made certain there would be no embarrassing upset this time.

T.J. Ford sparked a decisive third-quarter run and the Raptors exploded in the second half for a 118-84 preseason victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv, which went winless against four NBA teams this month.

Chris Bosh and Fred Jones scored 16 points apiece and Ford added 13 for the Raptors, who suffered a humiliating preseason home loss to Maccabi a year ago. That game was decided by a buzzer-beater by Anthony Parker, now a member of the Raptors.

The Israeli squad positioned itself for another upset, opening a 69-66 lead midway through the third period before falling apart. Ford scored six points in an 18-2 run that closed the quarter and gave Toronto an 84-71 advantage.

The Raptors poured it on in the final period, using a 20-0 run to turn the game into a rout. Overall, they shot 54 percent (40-of-74) from the field despite an 0-of-12 showing from 3-point range.

Jose Calderon scored 12 points and Parker, rookie Andrea Bargnani and Joey Graham added 11 each for Toronto, which had eight players in double figures. Second-round pick P.J. Tucker scored 10 points.

Noel Felix scored 19 points and fellow former NBA player Will Bynum added 14 for Maccabi, which shot 43 percent (30-of-70) and was outscored, 65-29, in the second half.

Winners of two straight Euroleague titles before losing to CSKA Moscow in the championship game last season, Maccabi also lost to San Antonio, Phoenix and Cleveland during the preseason.