(Denver) Playing their second game in two nights against Western powerhouses, the Toronto Raptors shone again on Saturday, winning 127-115 over the Denver Nuggets.
Posted at 12:03 a.m.
Updated at 12:20 a.m.
Pascal Siakam had 33 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals. The Cameroonian has averaged 27 points for six games.
Scottie Barnes gave a proud helping hand with 25 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and two steals. Spirited Montrealer Chris Boucher added 21 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks.
Precious Achiuwa went there by 15 points, including plenty of long-range damage (four-for-six for three-point shots). He’s been playing with a lot of bite lately.
Thaddeus Young had nine points and three steals for the Raptors, who deserved their third straight win.
Fred VanVleet got a break the day after a win in Phoenix. He recently missed five games with a right knee contusion.
OG Anunoby missed a 10and consecutive match, following a fracture of the right ring finger.
Malachi Flynn was sidelined in a fourth game in a row with a rear left thigh injury.
The Raptors’ five-city, six-game trip will end with two meetings in LA on Monday and Wednesday (Lakers and Clippers).
Seventh in the East, the Raptors (37-30) came within a game of the sixth-placed Cavaliers. Toronto had a slim 65-63 lead at the half.
Dynamic in the third quarter, the Nuggets took the lead there 99-93, thanks in particular to two shots from three points in the last minute.
At 107-107, the match took a turn in favor of the visitors, whose relentlessness paid off.
Young had a steal and quickly added a basket, following a pass from Barnes. Boucher added two points on an offensive rebound – an aspect where his team led 23-9.
After wins from Dalano Banton and Barnes, Toronto led 115-109 with 4:15 on the clock.
Shortly after, Barnes missed a shot, but grabbed the rebound and passed it on to Boucher, who made a three-pointer. A blow for Denver, as the Raptors took a 120-110 lead with 1:50 to go.
Toronto would go on to another solid road win.
Nikola Jokic had 26 points for the Nuggets (40-28), whose next three games will be away.
The Nuggets hurt their cause badly with 19 turnovers.
In the West, the fight is tight for ranks 4 to 6 between the Nuggets, the Jazz and the Mavericks.