Raptors Win Fifth Straight 93-90 Over Magic
The Toronto Raptors won their fifth straight game, beating the Orlando Magic, who were without Glen Davis, 93-90. The Magic had a chance to tie the score at the end of the game but good Toronto defense prevented them from getting a shot off as time ran out. Six Toronto players finished in double figures in the win which ran the Raptors record to 9-19. Demar DeRozan led them with 17 points while Arron Afflalo led Orlando with 26 points. The Magic fell to 12-14 as their four game win streak was snapped.
The Detroit Pistons pounded the Washington Wizards 100-68 on Friday. The Pistons raced out to a 29-14 first quarter lead and never looked back. Greg Munroe and Brandon Knight led the Pistons with 15 points each. Andre Drummond and Rodney Stuckey added 11 each as the Pistons improved to 8-21. Washington dropped to 3-21 losing for the sixth straight game. The Wizards loss was only the fifth all season by more than 9 points. They were led by Jordan Crawford with 20 points.
The Indiana Pacers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 99-89. Roy Hibbert led the Pacers with 18 points as the entire starting five finished in double figures. Gerald Green chipped in 14 points including a ferocious dunk off the Pacers bench. Things got a bit chippy between Tyler Hansbrough and Tristan Thompson for the second time in as many meetings. This could be a budding rivalry in the Central Division. The Cavs entire starting five also finished in double figures led by Kyrie Irving with 17 points. The Pacers are now 15-12 while the Cavs dipped to 5-23.
The San Antonio Spurs beat the New Orleans Hornets 99-94. The Spurs got 25 points from Tony Parker and 15 from Tim Duncan as they snapped a two game skid. Anthony Davis led the Hornets with 18 points and 11 rebounds. The Spurs improved their record to 20-8 keeping them in a virtual tie with the Memphis Grizzlies for first place in the Southwest Division. The Hornets fell to 5-21. The Spurs host the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.
The Golden State Warriors beat the Charlotte Bobcats 115-100. The win allowed the Warriors to keep pace with the Los Angeles Clippers in the Pacific Division. They were led by Stephen Curry with 27 points, David Lee with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, and Klay Thompson with 20 points. The Warriors ran their record to 18-9 while the Bobcats lost their 14th straight game to fall to 7-19.
”You can pencil in 20 and 10, and then sprinkle in some other stuff around the tree,” Warriors coach Mark Jackson said of Lee. ”He’s been that good all year long. Stef was again spectacular. Those are my leaders and they are doing a great job of setting the tone.”
