ZCZC
BSP-09
BASKET-NBA
Siakam bounces in winner as Raptors edge Suns
LOS ANGELES, Jan 18, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Pascal Siakam banked in the winning
shot at the final buzzer as the Toronto Raptors won their eighth consecutive
home game with a 111-109 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
Siakam’s basket, which was upheld by a video review, bounced off the
backboard and went in after Suns’ Mikal Bridges had tied it 109-109 with 13
seconds to go.
“I just wanted to take the last shot, whatever shot that was,” Siakam
said. “We came out early and had lead and let them get back in the game. We
knew they were going to fight. We just had to make the big plays and we did.”
Siakam finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds, Serge Ibaka scored 22
points and Kyle Lowry had 16 points and nine rebounds for the Raptors, who
have won six of their last seven contests.
CJ Miles returned from missing a couple of games with a hip problem to
score 13 points and Fred VanVleet finished with 15 in the win.
Devin Booker scored 30 points, Deandre Ayton had 15 points and 17
rebounds, and Kelly Oubre scored 18 in the loss as the Raptors swept a back-
to-back season series against the Suns for the first time.
Toronto played without star Kawhi Leonard who rested.
Phoenix’s Josh Jackson was ejected in the fourth quarter for arguing a
foul call.
The Raptors lead 32-20 at the end of the first quarter, shooting four-of-
nine from three-point range. Phoenix also fell behind 57-49 at the half.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1055 hrs