DeRozan's 25 points Lift Raptors Over 76ers 96-76
TORONTO (AP) — DeMar DeRozan had 25 points, Luis Scola added 22 and the Toronto Raptors beat the Philadelphia 76ers 96-76 on Sunday night to win their fourth straight game.
DeRozan came into the night averaging 21.7 points per game, and this was his third straight outing with at least 20 points. Scola matched his season-high point total from a game in November.
Toronto started slowly, trailing 16-8 at the midpoint of the first quarter. But the Raptors then took charge to hand the 76ers their sixth straight loss.
Jahlil Okafor led Philadelphia with 23 points and 14 rebounds while Robert Covington added 15 points and nine rebounds.
Okafor's bucket with 7:16 to go in the fourth cut the Raptors' lead to 77-71.
But the Raptors scored five straight points to widen their advantage to 11 and were never threatened again on the way to closing out their six-game homestand with a 4-2 record.
The Raptors took a 69-58 lead into the fourth quarter despite shooting just 40 percent from the field through three quarters. Philadelphia shot 34 percent from the field after three.
Toronto led 52-44 at halftime. Both teams shot an identical 17 for 41 (42 percent) through two quarters but the 76ers hit seven 3s on 14 attempts to keep the game close.
The Raptors were up 32-24 after the first quarter as Scola led the way with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including a pair of 3s, and five rebounds. Toronto ended the period on a 24-8 run.
TIP-INS
76ers: The 76ers have lost all 14 road games this season. ... Okafor had 23 points and 14 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season.
Raptors: Toronto has won 10 straight games against the 76ers, including both this season. ... The Raptors have held opponents under 100 points 17 times this season, second in the NBA to 20 by San Antonio Spurs.
UP NEXT
The 76ers travel to Chicago to take on the Bulls on Monday night.
The Raptors begin a three-game trip Monday night against the Indiana Pacers.
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