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11/22/2024 06:34:27 am

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Toronto Raptors Top Orlando Magic, One Game Behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for Eastern Conference No. 1 Spot

DeMar DeRozan

(Photo : gettyimages.com) DeMar DeRozan scored 25 points to lead the Raptors to beat Orlando Magic.

Toronto Raptors are slowly climbing their way to the top as they defeated the visiting Orlando Magic with a 105-100 victory at the Air Canada Centre on Sunday.

Starting guard DeMar DeRozan scored 25 points and Argentine veteran forward Luis Scola contributed 20 points to lead the Raptors to their 48th win in 69 games played this season. The Raptors are just one game behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

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"I really don't look at it like we're chasing Cleveland," DeRozan, who went 6 for 16 from the field in 37:20 minutes in the hard wood, said. "At the end of the day, we're going to have homecourt advantage regardless. Our biggest focus is just getting everything we need to get together, especially defensive-wise as a team."

Kyle Lowry finished the game with 18 points and seven assists, while Terrence Ross added with 13 points. Starting center Bismack Biyombo had an impressive performance of 12 points, 11 rebounds and six blocked shots for the Raptors, who have won four straight and eight of their last ten games.

Toronto was trailing by two at the halftime break 55-53. Both teams squared it off in the third period with Orlando still leading by a basket 82-80 entering the final quarter of the match.

The game was tied at 91 all with 6:31 minutes remaining when the Raptors made a 6-2 run that gave them a four-point lead 97-93 with over two minutes to go. However, Evan Fournier hit a three-pointer in the last 1:11 minutes of the game and cut the deficit within one 97-96.

DeRozan retaliated with a jump shot and was fouled. He made the bonus shot and the Raptors are up by four again 100-96 with under a minute to play. Ross converted his two free throws after being fouled by Victor Oladipo, stretching Toronto's lead to six with just 0:44.2 seconds left to play.

Fournier and Oladipo had 21 points each for Orlando, while Andrew Nicholson scored 15 points.

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