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Game Rap: Raptors 115, Pelicans 91

Holly MacKenzie - Raptors.com

It was over when

Before the fourth quarter began. Toronto led an undermanned Pelicans team by 24 through three quarters, and was able to rest its starters on the second night of a back-to-back in the 115-91 victory. The win moves the Raptors to 49-23 and ties a franchise record for wins in a season.

Undermanned Pelicans

New Orleans has been bitten by the injury bug all season and things aren’t getting any easier down the homestretch of the regular season. The Pelicans were without Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson, Jrue Holiday, Quincy Pondexter, Norris Cole, Tyreke Evans, Eric Gordon, and Bryce Dejean-Jones on Saturday night. On Toronto’s side, Terrence Ross missed his second consecutive game with a sore left thumb.

Raptors player of the game

DeMar DeRozan bounced back from a rough outing and early exit against the Houston Rockets on Friday night to score a game-high 23 points to go with five rebounds and five assists in 30 minutes. DeRozan shot 9-for-11 from the floor, 1-for-2 from beyond the arc and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line.

Underrated Raptors player of the game

Rookie Norman Powell played 34 minutes against the Pelicans and had another solid showing. Powell scored 15 points on 5-for-11 shooting, and added seven rebounds and two assists. He also had the play of the game when he drove the lane and elevated for the throwdown, letting out a fired-up yell and a flex upon landing. Powell is averaging 26 minutes per game over his previous five contests as he continues to take advantage of the opportunities presented to him.

THAT'S A RAP…

“It was a good bounce-back game. I liked our defensive focus. Defensively we did what we wanted to do. I don't care who was playing, who is hurt whatever. We came out with the right defensive focus and that was important.” - Dwane Casey pleased with his team's approach against a depleted Pelicans team

BY THE #’S

53…Percent shooting for the Raptors, compared to 44 percent shooting for the Pelicans.

48…Rebounds for the Raptors, 36 for the Pelicans.

5…A career-high five blocked shots for Jonas Valanaciunas who also had 10 points, nine rebounds and an assist.

12…Made 3-pointers for the Raptors (on 29 attempts), compared to just four for New Orleans (on 15 attempts).

7Players in double figures for Toronto: DeMar DeRozan (23), Patrick Patterson (16), Norman Powell (15), Luis Scola (12), Kyle Lowry (11), James Johnson (11), Jonas Valanciunas (10).

THEY SAID IT…

“We tied it? That’s cool, man. That’s really cool. I think it’s just something that we keep getting better. The last couple of games we just keep getting better and growing.”- Kyle Lowry when told the team had tied its franchise record for wins“I think he’s done a heck of a job. He’s earned it. We’ve got to continue to go with him until things change [injury wise].”- Dwane Casey on how Norman Powell has done stepping up in place of injured teammates“Being aggressive. Understanding the timing, understanding the ball movement, understanding the rotations. That’s going to continue to get better every single game we play whether it’s a big game or a game we played tonight where we get a big lead and take advantage of it. It’s great for him to be in a position like this honestly. Being on a winning team, being in the position he is, he’s taking advantage of it.”- DeMar DeRozan on Norman Powell improving game by game“It was a great game for us. We continued to get better throughout the game. We ended up playing a team that is depleted but they played extremely hard. They’re well coached.”- Kyle Lowry on an important bounce-back game“I think it’s been really good for me. Getting comfortable playing with two All-Stars, knowing where they like to be, knowing where they like to get their shots. Playing off them has really helped me. They draw so much attention. Being able to get to open areas on the floor and hit open shots really helps them.”- Norman Powell on getting used to playing with the starting lineup

UP NEXT:

Up next: The Raptors head home to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Air Canada Centre on Monday at 7:30 P.M. ET.