Pascal Siakam scored 36 points, Fred VanVleet had 30 and Toronto Raptors beat the Portland Trail Blazers 114-106 on Wednesday night.
Siakam scored 13 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter to help close out the Trail Blazers and help Toronto bounce back from Monday night’s loss to the L.A. Clippers.
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Pascal Siakam scored 36 points, Fred VanVleet had 30 and Toronto Raptors beat the Portland Trail Blazers 114-106 on Wednesday night.
Damian Lillard, who entered Wednesday trailing only James Harden in points per game, had his worst outing of the season, being held to just nine points. Lillard had 2-fof-12 shooting from the field and was 2 of 7 from 3-point range. He did dish 10 assists.
The Raptors also got solid bench contributions from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Terence Davis (15 points).
After Raptors head coach Nick Nurse drew a technical foul for complaining to the officials after Portland’s first run, his team responded with improved play.
TIP-INS
“They told me it was close for this game, that he might make it, but it’s not going to happen,” head coach Nick Nurse said. “He will be ready to go Saturday in Dallas.”
Rodney Hood led the Blazers with 25 points.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Skal Labissiere, center, dribbles around Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoCraig Mitchelldyer)
Damian Lillard, who entered Wednesday trailing only James Harden in points per game, had his worst outing of the season, being held to just nine points. Lillard had 2-fof-12 shooting from the field and was 2 of 7 from 3-point range. He did dish 10 assists.
Hood stood up to the Raptors’ challenge, returning from a two-game absence with back spasms.
But the Raptors attacked in waves, with Siakam scoring seven straight points to close the quarter and give the Raptors an 87-78 lead heading into the fourth.
Portland Trail Blazers center Hassan Whiteside, left, and Toronto Raptors center Marc Gasol reach for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoCraig Mitchelldyer)
The Raptors also got solid bench contributions from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Terence Davis (15 points).
The Blazers went on an 11-2 run to start the fourth quarter, tying the game at 89 with 9:06 left as Lillard watched from the bench.
Nassir Little made his first NBA start against the defending champs. Little drew the job of guarding Siakam.
Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher, top, dunks over Portland Trail Blazers guard Kent Bazemore during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoCraig Mitchelldyer)
After Raptors head coach Nick Nurse drew a technical foul for complaining to the officials after Portland’s first run, his team responded with improved play.
Meanwhile on Portland’s side, Hassan Whiteside led the team with 10 first-half points and a number of teammates contributed baskets.
A dunk by Hollis-Jefferson with 5:29 left gave the Raptors a 101-94 lead. Hollis-Jefferson’s hustle gave the Raptors another bucket on a loose ball and Toronto moved out to a 106-94 lead with 4:01 left, their largest lead of the game.
Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, left, shoots over Portland Trail Blazers forward Nassir Little during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoCraig Mitchelldyer)
TIP-INS
Raptors: The Raptors made a line-up change on Wednesday night as they were without starting small forward OG Anunoby, who is dealing with an injury to his eye.
Anunoby, who walked into the Moda Center Wednesday with an eye-patch over his right eye, will likely be available to play when the Raptors finish their road trip later this weekend.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Rodney Hood, center, shoots between Toronto Raptors forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, left, and guard Norman Powell, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoCraig Mitchelldyer)
“They told me it was close for this game, that he might make it, but it’s not going to happen,” head coach Nick Nurse said. “He will be ready to go Saturday in Dallas.”
Nurse gave the starting opportunity to reserve forward Malcolm Miller, who had only appeared in two games heading into Wednesday.
Trail Blazers: After entering the season with high expectations, the Blazers have sputtered out of the gate through the first 11 games of the season.
Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, right, has a shot blocked by Portland Trail Blazers center Hassan Whiteside during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoCraig Mitchelldyer)
Tuesday night’s loss to a short-handed Sacramento Kings group was as painful as any of the losses they’ve had to start the season.
“We’re not where we want to be,” Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. “The losses at Golden State and (Sacramento) really took a toll. Those two teams were undermanned and if those two games are wins that changes the outlook of where we are. We’ve played a lot of close games, we’ve played a lot of good teams competitively but I’d say right now we’re a middle of the road team trying to find ourselves.”
UP NEXT
Raptors: Saturday at Dallas Mavericks.
Trail Blazers: Saturday at San Antonio Spurs.
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