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Game Rap: Raptors 102, Suns 107

Holly MacKenzie - Raptors.com

IT WAS OVER WHEN

Eric Bledsoe blocked a three-point attempt from Luis Scola with 0.2 seconds remaining and the Raptors trailing by three. Although an exciting rally late helped the Raptors to tie the game with four minutes remaining, the 11-point fourth quarter deficit proved to be too much for the team to overcome on the second night of a back-to-back. The 107-102 loss to the Suns moves the Raptors to 11-7 on the season.

AROUND THE LEAGUE

While the Raptors and Suns were still playing, Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant announced that his 20th season would be his last one. The news was tough to swallow for California natives DeMar DeRozan and Norman Powell, even though it wasn’t unexpected. Rookie Powell wears No. 24 for Bryant, while DeRozan has spent his playing career working to learn Bryant’s best moves.

RAPTORS PLAYER OF THE GAME

DeMar DeRozan led the way for the Raptors with 29 points on 11-for-20 field goals. One night after dishing the assist to Cory Joseph for the game winner in Washington, DeRozan recorded a team-high seven assists with just a single turnover. He added three rebounds and a blocked shot as well. DeRozan’s playmaking skills continue to improve and he’s averaging a career-best 4.1 assists per game this season.

UNDERRATED RAPTORS PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME

DeMarre Carroll scored 20 points on 8-for-13 field goals and added seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and zero turnovers in 37 minutes of action. He connected on three of his six attempts from beyond the arc and bounced back well from a 1-for-8 performance Saturday night in Washington.

THAT'S A RAP…

“We have to do it on defence and go out to the three-point line. I feel like tonight we didn’t do that. We didn't play our best defensive game and when you do that you usually get beat.”- DeMarre Carroll on Phoenix’s bench knocking down three-pointers

BY THE #’S

50… Rebounds for the Suns, compared to 43 for the Raptors. Phoenix dominated the offensive glass, snatching 13 offensive rebounds to eight for Toronto. The Suns also doubled up the Raptors on second-chance points (14-7).46… Points in the paint for Phoenix, just 36 for the Raptors.7… Straight points for the Suns to turn a one-point deficit into a six-point lead with 1:03 remaining.41… Percent shooting from beyond the arc. After starting the season struggling from downtown, the Raptors have now made double-digit three-pointers in four of the last five games.51… Points for Phoenix’s bench. The Suns reserves outscored Toronto’s bench 51-25. Mirza Teletovic led the way with 20 points on 7-for-9 shooting, including a 6-for-7 performance from deep.

THEY SAID IT…

“The problem was second chance points. They had 14 second chance points [against] a team that was playing small. So, the opposite of what we were doing last night making sure that we protected the paint. Tonight we didn't. That was very disappointing. Back-to-back is no excuse [for] running out of gas. In fact, we shot better from three than they did. Doing the dirty work, the gritty work, are things we have to do. Last night it was turnovers, tonight it was the gritty work, getting to their three-point shooters, closing out, and running them off the line and we didn't get that done. Shake their hand. They made their shots and we didn't.”- Dwane Casey on his team giving up three-pointers and points in the paint“We have to stop putting ourselves in a tough predicament by having to fight our way out when we don't have much time to. We find ourselves in that position a little too much. Once we clean up little things at both ends it will be easier for us to close out games.”- DeMar DeRozan on learning from a familiar situation“We used a lot of energy to try and get back into the game. We had some boneheaded mistakes and I think we really lost that game instead of them beating us.”- DeMarre Carroll on fatigue being a factor down the stretch

UP NEXT:

The Raptors will face the Hawks on Wednesday in Atlanta at 8 P.M. ET