Kawhi Leonard scores 37 as Raptors beat Cavs
Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard, right, drives to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Rodney Hood, left, defends during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
TORONTO — Kawhi Leonard matched his season high with 37 points, helping the Toronto Raptors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-110 on Friday night.
OG Anunoby equaled his career high with 21 points as the Raptors improved their NBA-leading record to 25-9. Pascal Siakam had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Fred VanVleet scored 14 points.
Article continues after this advertisementThe short-handed Raptors won their second straight despite injuries to three starters. Guard Kyle Lowry missed his fourth straight game because of a sore left thigh, and center Serge Ibaka was sidelined by a sore right knee for the second straight game. Guard Danny Green was shelved by a sore left knee after starting Toronto’s first 33 games.
Jordan Clarkson scored 20 points for Cleveland, and Larry Nance Jr. had 16 points and 12 rebounds. Collin Sexton scored 17 points, and Cedi Osman finished with 12.
The Cavaliers lost for the fourth time in five games. They also dropped to 3-13 on the road.
Article continues after this advertisementLeonard shot 12 for 16 from the field and went 11 for 12 at the free-throw line.
Toronto had a 102-97 lead with 7:36 remaining when Anunoby drove for a powerful one-handed dunk. After VanVleet stole the ball from Sexton, Siakam converted a layup to put the Raptors up by nine points.
Clarkson made a pair of free throws and Nance dunked to cut the gap to five again, but Leonard replied with a three-point play, and then teamed up with VanVleet to hit back-to-back 3s.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: Cleveland’s reserves scored 53 points. … Matthew Dellavedova led Cleveland with six assists.
Raptors: VanVleet led Toronto with eight assists while Anunoby matched his career high with eight rebounds. … Toronto used its 12th starting lineup of the season, with VanVleet, Wright and Anunoby joining regulars Leonard and Siakam. … Lowry is expected to sit again Saturday when the Raptors visit Philadelphia for the second game of a back-to-back. … Toronto sold out its 200th consecutive game, a streak that began in November 2014.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Host Chicago on Sunday night.
Raptors: Visit Philadelphia on Saturday night.
