Raptors at Suns
DeMar DeRozan is the leading scorer in Toronto history and looks to add to his total when the Raptors visit the defensively challenged Phoenix Suns on Thursday. DeRozan scored 29 points in Wednesday's 121-111 loss to Golden State to raise his career output to 10,290 points, surpassing Chris Bosh (10,275 from 2003-10).
DeRozan's milestone effort didn't result in a victory as the Raptors had their franchise-record seven-game road winning streak halted. "It's great," DeRozan told reporters. "Would've been a lot better if we got the win, but to be first in franchise history, it's definitely an honor." Phoenix has dropped six of its last seven games and is tied with Dallas for the worst record in the Western Conference. The Suns committed 22 turnovers and fell 119-98 to San Antonio on Wednesday as they gave up 100 or more points for the 15th consecutive contest.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, TSN2 (Toronto), FSN Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (22-9): Coach Dwane Casey is appreciative of the way DeRozan handles his business both on and off the court. "I think he's grown in every aspect of his game except probably his 3-point shooting, but he's probably one of the best in-between shooters in the league," Casey told reporters. "He's one of those guys that he's always brought something new to the table each and every year. I couldn't think of anybody who deserves that honor or record or whatever you want to call it more than DeMar. I think he's the face of our franchise. He represents it in a first-class way." DeRozan is averaging a career-best 27.5 points this season and is a shoo-in to average over 20 for the fourth straight campaign.
ABOUT THE SUNS (9-23): The defense has been an issue all season but has been particularly bad while allowing an average of 118.1 points over the last seven games. San Antonio was missing star small forward Kawhi Leonard (24.4 points) and still tallied 30 or more points in three different quarters against the Phoenix's leaky defense. "We are a young group trying to establish a culture, and that can't be done overnight," coach Earl Watson told reporters afterward. "We have to be a defensive team all four quarters and keep our focus. Turnovers hurt us, but with a young team, turnovers are going to happen."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Raptors are just 12-27 all-time against the Suns.
2. Toronto SF Terrence Ross scored 24 points in the loss to the Warriors after averaging six on 8-of-22 shooting over the previous three games.
3. Phoenix SG Devin Booker is just 8-of-31 shooting over his last two contests.