Final
Raptors try to sharpen skills against Magic
Apr 10, 2015 - 1:42 PMVideo
The Raptors are the Atlantic Division champs and a half-game behind the Chicago Bulls for third in the Eastern Conference. They are also just a game ahead of the Washington Wizards, who are fifth.
Toronto started this four-game road trip with a 92-74 drubbing of the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.
DeMar DeRozan had 18 points and seven assists to lead the Raptors past a two- game losing streak. Lou Williams and Greivis Vasquez netted 16 points apiece and Tyler Hansbrough added 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Raptors, who have won four of their last six games.
"I thought our intensity started with Tyler Hansbrough, who was outstanding," Vasquez said.
The game was tied 15-15 late in the first quarter before the Raptors seized control of the contest with a 14-4 run that bled into the second.
Kyle Lowry, the All-Star point guard, is listed as questionable for Friday with a back issue. He hasn't played since March 24 and he wants to give it a go, but head coach Dwane Casey may err on the side of caution.
The Raptors visit the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics on this trip before closing the season at home versus the Hornets.
The Magic are lottery-bound for the third consecutive season, but have been playing some of their best ball. They've won three in a row, including the opener of this three-game homestand on Wednesday.
Derrick Rose returned to the Chicago Bulls' lineup, but the Magic still prevailed, 105-103.
The Magic won a third straight game thanks to Victor Oladipo's 23 points, including the go-ahead layup with less than two seconds left in the game. Nikola Vucevic added 22 points and Elfrid Payton contributed 17 points, nine assists and nine rebounds.
"It's been a tough year, but at the end of the day, we're making progress," said Oladipo.
Chicago led by eight entering the final quarter, but its offense could not get on track. Through the first half of the period, the Bulls were just 2-of-8 from the field and committed four turnovers.
Rose didn't play in the fourth due to a minutes restriction.
The Magic will welcome the New York Knicks on Saturday, then put a bow on the 2014-15 campaign in Miami and Brooklyn.
The Raptors have won 10 straight against Orlando.
- TORONTO: 101
ORLANDO: 99
Final
Apr 10 9:24 PM - TORONTO: 101
ORLANDO: 99
End of Regulation
Apr 10 9:24 PM - TORONTO: 76
ORLANDO: 76
End of 3rd
Apr 10 8:45 PM - TORONTO: 49
ORLANDO: 51
Halftime
Apr 10 8:03 PM - TORONTO: 29
ORLANDO: 19
End of 1st
Apr 10 7:35 PM - TORONTO: 0
ORLANDO: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Apr 10 7:11 PM
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