McCollum scores 29 points as the Trail Blazers defeat the Raptors

Key Takeaways:

• McCollum scores 29 points as the Trail Blazers defeat the Raptors.
• CJ McCollum scored 29 points, and Damian Lillard added 24 as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Toronto Raptors 118-113 on Monday night.

The Blazers improved to 6-1 at home in the second game of a back-to-back. This may be an unacceptable problem to solve, but it is simple to identify.

The Raptors, who have now lost five of six games, were led by OG Anunoby, who scored 27 points. Pascal Siakam contributed 20 points. In the fourth quarter, Larry Nance Jr.’s alley-oop dunk gave Portland a 99-89 lead. McCollum’s 3-pointer increased the lead to 105-92. The Raptors responded with a 9-0 run, closing the gap to 105-101 on Fred VanVleet’s 3-pointer with 5:34 remaining. Portland did not allow Toronto to get any closer, and Lillard’s three-pointer increased the Blazers’ lead to 110-101.

VanVleet hit a pair of 3-pointers in a row to cut the deficit to 112-111 with 1:51 remaining. McCollum hit a jumper after Portland’s Norman Powell made free throws to make it a five-point game. With 38.5 seconds remaining, Nance’s dunk effectively sealed the victory.
Nance scored 15 points off the bench.

Lillard was questionable for the game due to an abdominal strain, but he played anyway. With the injury, Lillard could not play in the Blazers’ loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night. Lillard has had a start slow to the season, averaging 20 points per game, which is well below his average from last year.

VanVleet returned to the Raptors after missing a game due to privates soreness, but Precious Achiuwa missed his second straight match due to right shoulder tendinitis.

Toronto led by 14 points early on and led 33-24 at the half. Anunoby scored 14 points, including four three-pointers in the first quarter alone. The Blazers finished the first half on a 9-0 run, leading 61-60 at the break.

In the third quarter, Portland increased its lead to eight points, but Toronto tied it at 85, entering the fourth quarter on Malachi Flynn’s driving layup.

Source: Global news

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