Ibaka, DeRozan Lead Raptors Past Mavericks 94-86
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DALLAS (AP) — DeMar DeRozan and Serge Ibaka scored 18 points apiece and the Toronto Raptors won their fifth straight game, 94-86 over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night.
The Raptors, who came back from 15-point deficits to win each of their last two games, made it a little easier on themselves Saturday. Toronto scored the game's first seven points and never trailed in dealing the Mavericks' playoff hopes a damaging blow.
Harrison Barnes scored 23 points for Dallas, which missed 18 of its first 22 3-pointers and finished just 7 of 28 from behind the arc.
Patrick Patterson added 14 points for Toronto, including a perfect 4 for 4 on 3-pointers.
The Mavericks fell four games behind Denver for the final playoff spot in the West.
Toronto led by as many as 16 points in the first half and by 15 early in the fourth quarter before a 10-0 Dallas run made things more interesting.
Dorian Finney-Smith's free throws with 7:57 to go brought the Mavs within 79-74, the closest they had been since 7-2 early in the game. But Ibaka made consecutive jumpers to restore a nine-point lead, and Dallas got no closer than six after that.
The Raptors had their biggest lead at 42-26 in the first half. Barnes scored Dallas' last 11 points of the half to help cut into the lead, but Toronto led 54-44 at the break.
J.J. Barea's long 3 at the third-quarter buzzer again brought Dallas within 10 at 74-64.
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