Raptors 93, Mavericks 85
DeMar DeRozan poured in a career-high 40 points as host Toronto rallied to beat shorthanded Dallas.
DeRozan, angling for his first All-Star appearance, shot 15-of-22 from the field as the Raptors bounced back from a 21-point, first-quarter deficit to halt a two-game losing streak. Greivis Vasquez added 17 points and seven assists off the bench while Jonas Valanciunas had 12 points and 10 rebounds for his team-high 13th double-double.
Monta Ellis had 21 points to lead the Mavericks, who were without leading scorer Dirk Nowitzki (rest). Jose Calderon and Brandan Wright added 13 points apiece while Vince Carter tallied eight in his latest return to Toronto.
The Mavericks didn't miss a beat despite playing without Nowitzki, bursting out to a 34-13 lead behind 10 points from Calderon. Toronto stormed back to trim the deficit to single digits on a Vasquez nine-foot jumper with 7:31 remaining in the second quarter, and he added a pair of 3-pointers in the final three minutes of the half as Toronto went into the break down 51-46.
Dallas stretched the lead to nine twice in the third quarter but the Raptors clawed back into it, making it a one-possession game on Vasquez's third 3-pointer and settling for a 73-68 deficit after three. Toronto took advantage of four Dallas turnovers in a two-minute span to take the lead on a short Valanciunas jumper with 4:35 remaining, and Amir Johnson added a 3-pointer near the end of the shot clock with three minutes left as the Raptors held on.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Carter was treated with a healthy mix of boos and cheers when he entered the game just past the midway point of the opening quarter. Calderon, who spent his first seven full seasons in Toronto before being traded to Detroit last season, drew a warm ovation when he was announced during pre-game introductions. ... Toronto PG Kyle Lowry, who came into the night averaging 16.5 points, had just three on 0-of-10 from the field. ... The Mavericks were held to one field goal over the final 7:24.