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Raptors bury Clips to boost playoff hopes
Source: Agencies |
April 2, 2010, Friday
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THE Toronto Raptors opened up a two-game lead for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference after they beat the Los Angeles Clippers 114-92 on Wednesday.
Chris Bosh scored 34 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while Andrea Bargnani added 21 and eight rebounds as the Raptors (37-37) used a big second half to put some breathing room between themselves and the ninth-placed Chicago Bulls.
Toronto trailed 74-75 with 2:24 remaining in the third quarter before outscoring the Clippers 40-17 over the remainder of the game.
"We knew we had to make adjustments and come out and play the second half correctly," Bosh told reporters. "There wasn't much said, we just addressed the problems."
Elsewhere in the National Basketball Association, it was: Cavaliers 101, Bucks 98; Hawks 109, Lakers 92; Bobcats 103, 76ers 84; Thunder 109, Celtics 104; Heat 98, Pistons 81; Suns 116, Nets 105; Mavericks 106, Grizzlies 102 (in overtime); Timberwolves 108, Kings 99; Wizards 96, Hornets 91; Spurs 119, Rockets 102; Trail Blazers 118, Knicks 90; and Jazz 128, Warriors 104.
In Toronto, Sonny Weems boosted the Raptors with 15 of his 17 points coming in the second half.
Weems, a second-year player who was inserted into the starting lineup four games ago, made all eight of his field goal attempts and added five rebounds.
Toronto, which snapped a three-game home losing streak, has won four straight over the Clippers and seven of the past eight meetings.
Chris Kaman had 22 points and 13 rebounds for Los Angeles, while forward Drew Gooden recorded 17 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
Los Angeles, which lost its third successive game and fell to 27-48 on the season, was again without point guard Baron Davis who is having trouble with back spasms.
"I thought the first half we played hard and we made a little run there," Kaman said.
"We've got to give them credit. They deserved to win, they're fighting for that last playoff spot and they wanted it more than we did."
In Cleveland, Mo Williams made four free throws in the final 12.8 seconds as the Cavaliers held on for a 101-98 win over the vastly improved Milwaukee Bucks, who showed they might be a dangerous team in the playoffs.
LeBron James scored 23 points and Williams 21 for the Cavs, who have won 10 of their past 11 and are closing in on the league's best record and home-court advantage throughout the postseason.
John Salmons scored 28 points and Andrew Bogut had 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks, who attempted just nine free throws - none in the fourth quarter - to 45 for Cleveland.
In Atlanta, Joe Johnson scored 25 points and got plenty of help off the Atlanta bench in a win over Los Angeles.
Kobe Bryant scored 28 points but only eight in the second half as Los Angeles lost back-to-back games for just the fourth time this season. The Lakers won twice on a five-game road trip and missed a chance to possibly clinch the Pacific Division title before heading back home.
Chris Bosh scored 34 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while Andrea Bargnani added 21 and eight rebounds as the Raptors (37-37) used a big second half to put some breathing room between themselves and the ninth-placed Chicago Bulls.
Toronto trailed 74-75 with 2:24 remaining in the third quarter before outscoring the Clippers 40-17 over the remainder of the game.
"We knew we had to make adjustments and come out and play the second half correctly," Bosh told reporters. "There wasn't much said, we just addressed the problems."
Elsewhere in the National Basketball Association, it was: Cavaliers 101, Bucks 98; Hawks 109, Lakers 92; Bobcats 103, 76ers 84; Thunder 109, Celtics 104; Heat 98, Pistons 81; Suns 116, Nets 105; Mavericks 106, Grizzlies 102 (in overtime); Timberwolves 108, Kings 99; Wizards 96, Hornets 91; Spurs 119, Rockets 102; Trail Blazers 118, Knicks 90; and Jazz 128, Warriors 104.
In Toronto, Sonny Weems boosted the Raptors with 15 of his 17 points coming in the second half.
Weems, a second-year player who was inserted into the starting lineup four games ago, made all eight of his field goal attempts and added five rebounds.
Toronto, which snapped a three-game home losing streak, has won four straight over the Clippers and seven of the past eight meetings.
Chris Kaman had 22 points and 13 rebounds for Los Angeles, while forward Drew Gooden recorded 17 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
Los Angeles, which lost its third successive game and fell to 27-48 on the season, was again without point guard Baron Davis who is having trouble with back spasms.
"I thought the first half we played hard and we made a little run there," Kaman said.
"We've got to give them credit. They deserved to win, they're fighting for that last playoff spot and they wanted it more than we did."
In Cleveland, Mo Williams made four free throws in the final 12.8 seconds as the Cavaliers held on for a 101-98 win over the vastly improved Milwaukee Bucks, who showed they might be a dangerous team in the playoffs.
LeBron James scored 23 points and Williams 21 for the Cavs, who have won 10 of their past 11 and are closing in on the league's best record and home-court advantage throughout the postseason.
John Salmons scored 28 points and Andrew Bogut had 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks, who attempted just nine free throws - none in the fourth quarter - to 45 for Cleveland.
In Atlanta, Joe Johnson scored 25 points and got plenty of help off the Atlanta bench in a win over Los Angeles.
Kobe Bryant scored 28 points but only eight in the second half as Los Angeles lost back-to-back games for just the fourth time this season. The Lakers won twice on a five-game road trip and missed a chance to possibly clinch the Pacific Division title before heading back home.
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