The Toronto Raptors pulled off a great 114-104 win over the Washington Wizards at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday.
Thanks to this win, the Raps (37-38) distanced themselves from the Wizards (33-42) in the standings. The latter, along with Bennedict Mathurin and the Indiana Pacers, are the best non-playoff team in the east.
Fred VanVleet has helped a lot in Toronto by getting back to his good downtown habits. He made five of his nine 3-pointers en route to a 29-point, seven-assist game.
Only OG Anunoby was more productive and collected 29 points. Jakob Poeltl scored his 18th double-double of the season with 12 points and just as many rebounds.
Montreal’s Chris Boucher contributed to his team’s victory by rebounding seven and six points in 22 minutes.
The Raptors started the game strong, but a tough third quarter in which they were beaten 38-24 forced them to step on the gas late in the game.
Center Kristaps Porzingis was the Wizards’ biggest offensive threat, as evidenced by his 26 points.
Sleeps discreetly in victory
Luguentz Dort’s efficiency problems continued at the Moda Center, but that didn’t stop the Oklahoma City Thunder from beating the Portland Trail Blazers 118-112.
The Montreal North native missed his six tries from downtown and had just six points in 29 minutes of play, being limited to seven points or fewer in three of his last four encounters.
Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s revelation of the year, took the lead with the Blazers and added 31 points to the league table.
Josh Giddey, meanwhile, was imperial in the ring for the Thunder, recovering 10 defensive rebounds on top of his 17 points.