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Bosh helps Raptors spoil Bibby, Artest's return

Jan 17, 2008 - 4:11 AM TORONTO (Ticker) -- Chris Bosh had 31 points and nine rebounds and Carlos Delfino scored 26 points as the Toronto Raptors posted a 116-91 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.

Jose Calderon registered 17 points and 14 assists and Anthony Parker netted 12 for the Raptors, who shot a blistering 52 percent (43-of-82) from the field en route to their fifth win in six games.

However, Toronto's victory came at the expense of Mike Bibby's long-awaited season debut following surgery to repair ligaments in his left thumb, which forced him to miss the first 36 games of the season.

A nine-year veteran, Bibby connected on 7-of-12 shots to finish with 19 points in 28 minutes off the bench. He also had six assists along with four turnovers.

"It was good to get back on the court," said Bibby, who came off the bench for the first time in his NBA or collegiate career. "I haven't been out there in three months, so it felt a little different. I was a little tired out there, but in order for me to get in basketball shape, I am going to have to play a lot of minutes."

The Kings also welcomed back forward Ron Artest, who made his return from a nine-game absence due to surgery to remove bone chips in his right elbow. He had four points and four boards.

"It's great to see them back, it's great to have them back," Sacramento coach Reggie Theus said. "I decided when the game looked like it was out of reach, I was going to leave them in and let it burn, so hopefully they can get in shape better and faster."

While Sacramento's starting lineup was getting familiar with each other, Toronto rode the shoulders of Bosh and Calderon in this one.

"I was just trying to be aggressive and drive to the basket," Bosh said. "In the beginning of the game I saw a lot of lanes. Their guys weren't really concentrating that much on me if I wasn't in the post and, anytime that happens, I'm going to drive as soon as I catch the ball and take it to my advantage."

"(Bosh) made 11-of-12, so he wasn't quite unstoppable," Sacramento center Brad Miller said. "I've seen him play and got to know him with Team USA. He's a good, young player that's just getting better."

Toronto opened things up after halftime as that 1-2 punch scored the final nine points during an impressive 19-8 surge to begin the third quarter to make it 77-58 with 5:05 left.

"I think we shot the ball well," said Delfino, who eclipsed his previous high of 24 points set earlier this year. "I think the whole team shot the ball well and the team ran the court."

The Raptors held a 32-20 edge in the period to build a commanding 20-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter and outscored Sacramento, 68-42, in the second and third.

"It was just a matter of getting consecutive stops," Parker said. "Once we were able to string a couple of stops and turn those into easy baskets, it was pretty much out of reach after that."

Kevin Martin led the charge with 22 points for the Kings, who will finish their tour of the Eastern Conference at Detroit and Indiana.