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Leonard steals the show as Raptors spoil DeRozan’s return
LOS ANGELES, Feb 23, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Kawhi Leonard got booed in his return
to San Antonio. It was a much different story for DeMar DeRozan in Toronto.
Raptors star Leonard scored a game-high 25 points and stole the ball from
San Antonio’s DeRozan at mid-court for the go-ahead dunk as the Toronto
Raptors held on to beat the San Antonio Spurs 120-117 on Friday night.
“Tonight was like a playoff game,” Leonard said.
Leonard scored the final four points for the Raptors, including a steal
and a dunk off DeRozan with 15 seconds to go with the game on the line.
DeRozan tried to carry the ball up court but slipped while being pressured
and Leonard snatched the ball for the uncontested dunk to give the Raptors a
one-point lead, 118-117. He then sank two free throws to seal it.
It all added up to a night of mixed emotions, but for DeRozan the ending
could have been better.
This was his first trip back to Toronto since the trade in the offseason
between the two teams that saw the two Los Angeles area products being
swapped for each other.
The sold-out crowd of 20,060 at the Scotiabank Arena gave DeRozan two
standing ovations. The first took place during team introductions and the
second came halfway through the first quarter when the Raptors honoured him
with a video tribute during a stoppage in play.
“DeMar did a great job here with his nine-year run,” said Leonard. “He was
leading all the stats with Raptors all the time and the fans came out and
showed him love.”
DeRozan is the Raptors’ all-time leader in points (13,296), field goals
(4,716), free throws (3,539), games (675) and wins (353).
Leonard could only fantasize about getting the same warm welcome when the
teams met January 3 in San Antonio for the first time since the trade.
Leonard scored 21 points in a 125-107 San Antonio win and was booed by the
Spurs fans. DeRozan recorded his first career triple double in that one with
21 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists.
While Leonard asked for a trade out of San Antonio, DeRozan was stunned by
the deal. After re-signing with the Raptors in 2016 he said he wanted to be a
Raptor for life.
Pascal Siakam added 22 points to help Toronto extend its winning streak to
seven straight with the win. Kyle Lowry and Danny Green each had 17, Serge
Ibaka had 13 points and 15 rebounds, and Jeremy Lin had 11 points in just his
second game with the Raptors.
Marco Belinelli scored 21 points for San Antonio. Davis Bertans had 16,
and Rudy Gay added 12 points and 10 rebounds for San Antonio, who have lost
five of six.
The Raptors took a 101-100 lead on Lin’s jumper with 6:52 to go — part of
a 9-0 run.
BSS/AFP/MR/1130 hrs