Kawhi Leonard pulls career best 45 points in the victory & # 39; Raptors over Jazz

"It's really good. People still nesaw things is able to do there (since lost most of & # 39; last season due to injury)," said Siakam. "It's just fun to see."

Maybe maybe not if you are trying reduces.

"When a guy (like Leonard) goes, it is hard to stop," said the star of the Jazz Donovan Mitchell, held for shooting & # 39; 7 to 23.

Could not make a shot in & # 39; recent games or calling early, the Raptors tried something different: While eschewing a favorite shot three points, Toronto tried only three from outside the arc through the first 18- the minutes. Meanwhile, Utah had advantage of attempted throw 18 -4 free and took 53-51 lead into the break.

Then began the second half and came up team & # 39; Toronto completely different from mine. Siakam hit three consecutive points after Fred VanVleet opened b & # 39; his one and all Raptors started guide for line & # 39; free-throw.

Leonard at all, because it scored at least 20 points for the 14th consecutive game.

Serge Ibaka alone (20 vs. the Lakers) scored just over a quarter for the Raptors & # 39; this season and the team ħabbeż addition to edge & # 39; 95-85.

The main coach & # 39; Raptors Nick Nurse indicated that he expected a game like this out.

"I think semmejtha few times earlier in the year shown being moved to a fairly easy spaces would have about 9 to 22 (lines & # 39; shooting) at the end of the night and I 'd be thinking "When will run 16 to 22?"

"Because there seems to photos that are online and they simply do not fit. Type & # 39; waiting for one of those nights where He makes all was great and is a special player and a special, as we know. "

Utah fought hard until the end and actually was in & # 39; four & # 39; points inside the last minute, but after a miss Ibaka, Danny Green stir for an offensive rebound and shot hard & # 39; Leonard was recovered by Siakam, which led to throws with & # 39; anything and put the game away.

Toronto returned in good before two tough games road (first the amped-up Spurs and DeRozan, then Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bucks f & # 39; Milwaukee) having ended in & # 39; December alone game .500. B & # 39; all the team is 28-11.

While Green said he is dealing with his return to San Antonio as "another game only," Leonard admitted that "it will be fun. Everyone is anticipating the game (except for Green, apparently). Such things only improve me for a long time, "said Leonard.

LAST ON LOWRY

The Raptors organization revealed early casual f & # 39; Day the Year Kyle Lowry received "injections of pain killers and anti-inflammatory for backache" Friday in the & # 39; New Hospital York for Special surgery.

Lowry apparently responded well to treatment and Nurse manager continues to expect to return to action in the future not too distant.

"I think so, yes," said Nurse to return & # 39; Lowry was close.

"Again & # 39; other, now in stage & # 39; management of & # 39; pain and little is going to leave a little court here to take some pictures. Every day we are going nissorveljawh and see when it will ready to go. "

Lowry lost the fourth & # 39; his straight game on Tuesday and ninth & # 39; in his last 10 games.

ISKRINERI REQUESTED

Nurse said pre-game that the offense Toronto notably stopped so often over the past few weeks because Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas been removed.

Lowry not only leads the NBA in assistance, but is also well inside collect, which, of course is a specialty & # 39; Valaciunas. In addition, the two longest serving Raptors bring something else to the table.

"These are two of our best screener," said Nurse.

"I know audible & # 39; silly, Kyle as one of our best screener (for it is one of the smallest players on the court), but it is. They are also high production man. They will get 12 13 14 15 (points) their almost every night, Kyle was tacking on 10 assists night as well. So we miss. "

The Raptors also lose easy buckets produce Valanciunas by hitting the offensive glass and Nurse believes that Ibaka seemed less cool without Valanciunas available to take much of the burden of it when they are coming.

"When Serge kinda want to do this all night is a little more difficult for him," said Nurse.

Ibaka and Greg Monroe had trouble containing the big men of Utah Rudy Gobert and favors early Tuesday.

All Toronto could do until the duo return although he adapts to life without them. M & # 39; have a choice.

"We will get the & # 39; there, are some things we start with & # 39; these other guys, and we got a name without 'em. That's just where we are, "said Nurse.

AUDIT & # 39; MONTH

Leonard finished fourth & # 39; in the NBA in scoring & # 39; December, b & # 39; average & # 39; 29.1 a game, only to follow James Harden, Paul George and Anthony Davis.

Leonard became only the third Raptor ever average 28 points or more per game month, joined & # 39; Vince Carter and DEMAR DeRozan. DeRozan made it in & # 39; January 2017, in Carter & # 39; five different occasions.

With the entry of Tuesday, Leonard had scored at least 20 points in the top 13th straight game. Carter scored at least 20 points in 23 right in 2001.

AROUND THE RIM

Toronto played for the seventh & # 39; & # 39 once; Day of the Year. Toronto won 9 of 11 against Utah in & # 39; in recent years heading Toronto finished 36-10 at home in 2018, the best mark ever got fired .438 in December after Toronto which registered 0.481 and 0.501 marks in October and f & # 39; November respectively Toronto won the earlier meeting with the Jazz 124-111 in & # 39; in November.

The top 5 things we learned RYAN WOLSTAT

Disable: Struggled to hit beyond shooting a few now, Toronto tried a different tactic in the first half, and took just three attempts & # 39; three points since mid-second quarter and only eight (b & # 39; both forms ) in the first 24 minutes. Taken inside against the gigantic Jazz is tough proposal, but was working for the Raptors.

North Norm: Norman Powell became well when he returned from the dismissal of his long injury and was seen by more aggressive this year in. Powell took eight attempts & # 39; shot in the first half, including nearly half of attempts & # 39; three points.

Faced with heavy lifting: Because the backcourt Fred VanVleet and Danny Green are not providing much in the way of offense, was at & # 39; Toronto hand, is Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam, to increase and get a bucket. That made.

Without answers: Utah tried everything to reduce Leonard in the third, but he put on one of the most impressive performances seen in & # 39; some time in three months, and remove the opposition and the opposition. Leonard continued to perfect 7-for-7.

No second chance: Utah remained & # 39; in the game in large part due to great advantage in second-chance points (18-2 climbs & # 39; & # 39 fourth, quarter and 22-3 b & # 39; everything ). Utah also had three turnovers in the first three quarters. Jae Crowder goes to career best 30 points also helped.