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SPORTS Monday 12 March 2018
Raptors roll to 8th straight

win, rout Knicks 132-106

By BRIAN MAHONEY ed to the Raptors in the because of the beginning
AP Basketball Writer morning about this being a of daylight saving time.
NEW YORK (AP) — Between trap game, warning them “Those 12 o’clock games,
an emotional win in their to forget about their 108- 1 o’clock games, you nev-
last game and an early 105 victory over Houston er know how the players
start to this one, there were and to ignore the Knicks’ are going to end up com-
plenty of reasons why the record. But none of that, or ing out, but we’re pretty
Toronto Raptors might not the early tip, slowed Toron- young team so I would ex-
be sharp. And a pretty sim- to, which shot 50.5 percent. pect that it would be fine,”
ple reason why they were. “All we can do is keep Hornacek said.
“We just want to hoop, getting better as a team,” Casey was more con-
man,” All-Star DeMar Lowry said. “We under- cerned that it would be a
DeRozan said. “Every time stand that teams are go- factor.
we get an opportunity to ing to come out there and “No question it does, be-
hoop, we’re going out throw their best shots at cause you’re out of your
there and doing what we us and we’ve got to just body rhythm, your rhythm
know how to do and that’s maintain.” The Raptors got of you’re used to play-
to play, whether if it’s an a buzzer-beating 3-pointer ing at 7, 7:30,” he said.
early game, a late game, from CJ Miles to lead 32-27 “You’re out of your routine
whatever it may be. No after one, then one from so to speak, so again, it be- Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) goes to the basket
matter who we’re playing.” Malcolm Miller at the half comes a professional ap- against New York Knicks center Kyle O’Quinn (9) during the first
Jonas Valanciunas scored to make it 65-57. And when proach and a professional half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 11, 2018, at
17 points, Kyle Lowry had New York got within seven game.”q Madison Square Garden in New York.
16 and the Raptors kept late in the third quarter, the Associated Press
right on rolling, beating the Raptors closed the period
New York Knicks 132-106 with an 11-2 run to take
on Sunday for their season- a 102-86 cushion to the
high eighth straight victory. fourth.
The Raptors had no let- TIP-INS
down after edging NBA- Raptors: Toronto has
leading Houston on Friday scored 100 or more points
in a matchup of the No. 1 in 19 straight games, one
teams in each conference, shy of the franchise record
leading much of the game set in the 2009-10 season.
even with DeRozan shoot- ... Casey said before the
ing just 4 for 16 for nine game that reserve G Delon
points. But seven Raptors Wright would remain out
finished in double figures with a sprained right big
in Toronto’s 15th win in 16 toe, but Wright felt good
games. The Raptors fell one enough after working out
point shy of their highest to- that he played 20 minutes
tal of the season, set in a off the bench, scoring 12
victory over Cleveland on points.
Jan. 11. “They’re playing Knicks: New York played
fantastic basketball right without starting center Enes
now and they’re continu- Kanter because of back
ing with that momentum spasms. F Lance Thomas
through this last part of the sat out with a sprained
season,” Knicks forward Tim right thumb after he was hit
Hardaway Jr. said. “They’re in the loss at Milwaukee on
playing playoff basketball.” Friday. X-rays taken before
Hardaway scored 25 and the game were negative.
Luke Kornet had 18 as the ... G Courtney Lee came
Knicks dropped their sev- off the bench after miss-
enth straight game and ing the last two games for
15th in the last 16. family reasons. Coach Jeff
Coach Dwane Casey talk- Hornacek said Lee would
practice Monday and
likely return to his starting
spot Tuesday. ... New York
opened the first of the
two remaining five-game
homestands on its sched-
ule.
TIPPING OFF
Both coaches were asked
before the game if they
were worried about a 1
p.m. start that felt like noon