By Sheila C
The Toronto Raptors wrapped up their 3-game home stand with a 119-109 loss against the Houston Rockets on Thursday night. It was an uphill battle from the tip, with the Raptors playing catch up all night. Ben McLemore led the Rockets with 28 points on 9 of 18 shooting and 8 made three’s. Houston out scored Toronto by 30 points from beyond the arc, with the team shooting 40% from the field. While the Raptors started the season hot with their 3-point shooting, they struggled for a second consecutive night, shooting 31%.
Toronto also continued their struggles on the boards, giving up 18 offensive rebounds, which led to 24 Houston second chance points. Despite limiting James Harden to 11 shots and 23 points, Russell Westbrook and PJ Tucker contributed 19 and 18 points with Westbrook adding 13 rebounds and 11 assists enroute to an impressive road win.
For the first time this season, the Raptors dropped back to back games at home. Pascal Siakam led the home team with 24 points and 9 rebounds in 36 minutes; Fred VanVleet added 20 points on 7 of 13 shooting.
Tonight marked Kyle Lowry’s second game back from a fractured left thumb. Despite scoring 19 points and shooting 5 of 8 from the field, the Raptors are 0-2 since his return. Lowry seemed to regain his step, as he bounced back from a 2 of 18 shooting night in the team’s previous loss.
Toronto now travels to Philadelphia, where they will take on the 15-6 Sixers on Sunday. The Raptors got the win in their first meeting this season, since eliminating Philadelphia in game 7 of the Easterm Conference Semi-Finals.
Tip-off is 6pm.
