DeRozan returns to lead Raptors over Clippers
TORONTO -- DeMar DeRozan returned to the lineup and scored 31 points, leading the Toronto Raptors to a 118-109 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.
DeRozan, who missed seven of the previous eight games due to a sprained ankle, helped the Raptors to their second straight win but only their fourth in the past 12 games.
The Raptors (32-21) led by 10 points after the first half and by 15 after the third quarter. They split their season series with the Clippers, who lost their third game in a row.
Kyle Lowry added 24 points and eight assists for the Raptors, Jonas Valanciunas scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and Cory Joseph chipped in with 12 points off the bench.
Blake Griffin led the Clippers (31-21) with a triple-double, scoring 26 points and adding 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
Austin Rivers added 22 points for the Clippers, while Marreese Speights scored 15 points off the bench, Jamal Crawford had 14, and J.J. Redick scored 12. DeAndre Jordan had nine points and 12 rebounds for Los Angeles.
DeRozan scored the final four points of the first quarter to give Toronto a 35-31 lead. DeRozan finished with 13 points in the quarter, and Lowry added 11 for the Raptors. Griffin led the Clippers with 11 first-quarter points. The Clippers led by as many as 11 points in the quarter.
During the second quarter, Lowry's third 3-pointer of the game gave him the franchise record of 802, surpassing Morris Peterson's total.
The Raptors led by as many as 11 points during the second quarter and took a 70-60 lead into the intermission. DeRozan scored 20 first-half points for the Raptors, and Lowry had 18. Griffin led the Clippers with 18 points in the first half and Rivers had 11.
Lowry's 3-pointer with 4:15 remaining in the third quarter gave the Raptors a 15-point lead.
Toronto's Jakob Poeltl ended the scoring in the third quarter when he made a 3-foot hook shot and converted the free throw to give the Raptors a 97-82 lead.
A layup by Lucas Nogueira early in the fourth quarter had Toronto in front by 16 points.
Norman Powell's dunk increased Toronto's advantage to 17 points.
Valanciunas made two free throws with 6:41 to play to stretch the lead to 20 points. The margin was reduced to 16 when Redick made a 3-pointer and made the free throw for a four-point play.
NOTES: Raptors F Patrick Patterson (left knee contusion) missed his second straight game Monday after being injured Friday against the Orlando Magic. ...The Clippers won the first meeting of the season between the teams, 123-115 Nov. 21 at the Staples Center. G Chris Paul recorded 26 points and 12 assists for the Clippers. Paul has not played since Jan. 16 because of a torn ligament in his left thumb. ... The Raptors play their next game Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center. ... The Clippers will be at Madison Square Garden Wednesday to play the New York Knicks.