DeRozan is 1st player since MJ to start season with five 30-point games

The modern-day master of mid-range shot equaled a feat by the original mid-range maestro.

DeMar DeRozan scored 34 points against the Miami Heat on Friday for his fifth-straight 30-plus-point outing to start the season. That matches a feat last accomplished by Michael Jordan in 1986.

Like DeRozan, Jordan happened to be a shooting guard who thrived in both the post and mid-range area - the so-called dead zone in today's era of pace-and-space offenses. Jordan is obviously in a class of his own, and the similarities end there with regards to their styles, but for the moment, DeRozan's throwback game has worked beautifully.

(courtesy: NBA Stats)

DeRozan, who leads the league in scoring at nearly 36 per contest, put forth yet another efficient outing on Friday. He hit 14-of-26 from the field and drained all six of his free throws while also adding four rebounds and four assists.

The 26-year-old also came up huge down the stretch. He made or assisted on the last four baskets for the Raptors as they closed out the Heat to improve to 4-1 this season.