DeRozan, Raptors claw back to top Thunder, remain unbeaten
OKLAHOMA CITY - DeMar DeRozan scored 10 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, and the Toronto Raptors overcame an eight-point deficit in the final 6 minutes to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-98 on Wednesday night and remain undefeated.
Jonas Valanciunas had 17 points and 12 rebounds and Kyle Lowry added 17 points for the Raptors (5-0), who beat Dallas the night before. Toronto shot 42 percent from the field, but benefited from 19 Oklahoma City turnovers.
Russell Westbrook scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half and finished with 16 assists. Kevin Durant had 27 points and Enes Kanter added 15 for the Thunder, who lost their second straight despite shooting 48 percent. It was the first time this season the Thunder scored fewer than 100 points.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Toronto's Bismack Biyombo was called for fouling Westbrook on a screen, then disagreed with the call and was issued a technical. Durant made the free throw, then Westbrook hit a 3-pointer on the extra possession to put the Thunder ahead 91-83.
Toronto clawed back into it, and a bank shot by DeRozan gave the Raptors a 99-97 lead with 47.3 seconds remaining. After Westbrook missed a layup, DeMarre Carroll made two free throws with 16.8 seconds left to make it a four-point lead.
Durant missed the second of two free throws, but the Thunder scrambled and forced a jump ball. Toronto won the tip, and DeRozan made two free throws with 9.3 seconds to play to seal the game.
TIP-INS
Raptors: Toronto had more shots blocked (six) than it made (five) in the first quarter. ... Toronto failed to score off any of Oklahoma City's five turnovers in the first quarter. ... Lowry was called for a technical in the fourth. ... The Raptors held the Thunder to 5-for-20 shooting in the fourth quarter.
Thunder: Oklahoma City held Toronto to 5-for-24 shooting in the first quarter. ... On one first-quarter possession, Steven Adams blocked three shots. He finished with four, and the Thunder had 10. ... Oklahoma City committed nine turnovers in the second quarter. ... Kanter's 3-pointer as time expired in the third gave the Thunder an 81-73 lead. ... The Thunder scored 42 points in the third quarter on 16-for-22 shooting.
UP NEXT
Toronto plays at Orlando on Friday; Oklahoma City plays at Chicago on Thursday.
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Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP.
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