The Toronto Raptors’ upturn only lasted two games, as they lost their flag 124 to 113 against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday at Scotiabank Arena.
Nick Nurse’s men were trying to savor a first three-game winning streak this season, but instead they came up against a team in full possession of their means, which had six victories in its last eight outings.
Back in the Queen City, Kawhi Leonard did not have the match of the century. He still contributed to the cause of the California formation by registering 15 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
The Clippers (48.4%) may have had lower field efficiency than the Raptors (51.2%), but they had the upper hand on volume. No less than four players reached the 20-point plateau in the victory: Ivan Zubac (23), Paul George (23), Norman Powell (22) and Reggie Jackson (20).
On the host side, Pascal Siakam was once again in a class of its own. The Cameroonian continued to boost his candidacy for the all-star game by collecting 36 points and nine rebounds.
Quebecers Chris Boucher and Khem Birch were cleared of the score sheet. They spent nine and three minutes respectively on the floor.
Important victory for the Pacers
At Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Bennedict Mathurin and the Indiana Pacers edged out the Atlanta Hawks in the standings by defeating them 129-114.
In the heated battle for an Eastern Conference playoff berth, the seventh-placed Pacers (18-17) overtook the Hawks (17-17) and Miami Heat (17-17). ).
After an uneven effort against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Pacers bounced back never letting the Hawks catch up.
Buddy Hield led the way, completing 11 of 16 shots for 28 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Mathurin, a native of Montreal North, was a great help to the Pacers in 26 minutes of use. He maintained an 11 differential, in addition to adding 18 points to the board.
John Collins (26 points, 10 rebounds) and Trae Young (22 points, 10 assists) both completed a double-double in a losing cause.
