Leonard scores 25 points, Raptors beat DeRozan, Spurs

Kawhi Leonard had a go-ahead dunk with 15 seconds left and scored 25 points to help the Toronto Raptors beat his former San Antonio Spurs teammates 120-117 on Friday night, spoiling DeMar DeRozan return.

Leonard stole the ball from DeRozan at midcourt and raced in alone for a one-handed slam.

Traded to San Antonio in the offseason deal that sent Leonard to Toronto, DeRozan received a warm welcome in the homecoming, but was denied a second victory over his former team. He finished with 23 points.

San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan (10) loses the the ball under pressure from Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) with about 15 seconds left in an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

Lowry and DeRozan embraced near center court following the final whistle as the sellout crowd of 20,058 cheered in approval.

Pascal Siakam added 22 points to help Toronto win its seventh straight game. Kyle Lowry and Danny Green each had 17, Serge Ibaka had 13 points and 15 rebounds, and Jeremy Lin had 11 points in 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. The Spurs have lost five of six.

Toronto Raptors forward Norman Powell (24) drives around San Antonio Spurs forward Rudy Gay (22) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

The Raptors took a 101-100 lead on Lin's jumper with 6:52 to go — part of a 9-0 run.

San Antonio overcame a six-point deficit, reclaiming the lead on Bertans' two free throws with 1:36 left — the first of four lead changes in the final 1:36. Bertans missed a potential go-ahead basket with less than 3 seconds left, and Lowry sealed victory by grabbing the rebound.

TIP-INS

Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) tries to get past San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

Spurs: DeRozan also had eight assists. He had his first career triple-double when the Spurs routed the Raptors 125-107 in Texas on Jan. 3, finishing with 21 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. ... G Derrick White returned to the starting lineup after missing the previous five games because of a sore right heel. ... C Jakob Poeltl, who was traded along with DeRozan, got a nice cheer when he entered the game late in the first.

Raptors: Raptors coach Nick Nurse was ejected after picking up a pair of technical fouls for arguing a blocking call against Danny Green in the third. ... Leonard shot 2 for 12 in the first half and Toronto was 5 of 30 on 2-point attempts in the opening two quarters. ... G Jodie Meeks dressed but did not play in his first game since signing a 10-day contract Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse walks off the court after being ejected during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

Spurs: At New York on Sunday night.

Raptors: Host Orlando on Sunday.

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Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) jumps in front of San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White (4) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan (10) leaves the Raptors standing as he makes a 360 move to score during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives to the basket as Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka (9) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank GunnThe Canadian Press via AP)

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 31 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Suggs added 24 points and the Orlando Magic handed Cleveland the worst playoff loss in franchise history, winning 121-83 on Thursday night to cut the Cavaliers’ lead to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Franz Wagner finished with 16 points and eight assists for the Magic, who led by 43 points in the fourth quarter on the way to the third-largest margin of victory in a playoff game. They earned their first playoff victory since 2019 and the first on their home floor since April 26, 2011.

They can even the series with a victory at home Sunday.

Jarrett Allen had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who shot 39% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range. Caris LeVert added 15 points and Donovan Mitchell had 13 points and seven assists.

76ERS 125, KNICKS 114

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 50 points, making all four 3-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-shifting third quarter to lead Philadelphia to a win over New York in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Embiid boldly stated “we’re going to win this series” after the 76ers dropped Game 2.

With one of the finest postseason efforts of his career, Embiid became the third player to ever score 50 points against the Knicks in the postseason and kept the hope of a Philadelphia series comeback very much alive.

The Knicks lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid was 13 of 19 from the floor overall, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers.

NUGGETS 112, LAKERS 105

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 15 rebounds, Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, and Denver moved to the brink of the second round with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series..

Jamal Murray scored 22 points as the defending NBA champion Nuggets won their 11th consecutive meeting with LeBron James and the Lakers in dominating style.

Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points for Denver, which took control in the third quarter and cruised through the final minutes to its fifth straight road win over Los Angeles, starting with its sweep of last season’s Western Conference finals.

Game 4 is Saturday night in Los Angeles. No NBA team has ever rallied from an 0-3 playoff deficit.

Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) makes a shot as he gets past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)