Despite their previous matchup, Kyle Lowry wasn’t needed for the Raptors to add another loss to the Knicks pitiful repertoire. Instead, the other Raptors picked up the slack in the absence of their leader, with six of Toronto’s players scoring in double-figures. The Knicks’ Lance Thomas scored a career-high 24 points and former Raptor Andrea Bargnani scored 16, but to no avail. The Raptors improve to 42-28 and remain third seed in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks, on the other hand, have now lost 10 of their last 12 games, and the woes continue.
The Raptors got out to an early lead and maintained it throughout the entire game, watching the Knicks play catch-up as they have done all season. Losing Alexey Shved in the first half after a collision with James Johnson certainly did not help the trail that could not be overcome. Shved, who has been a dark horse in an even darker season, has averaged 22 points in his last three games. The Knicks also lost Travis Wear in the fourth quarter due to a sore back, though his productivity has been less valued. Tim Hardaway Jr. and rookie Cleanthony Early also sat out for a fourth consecutive game.
With a lack of bodies on the court, Ricky Ledo, who was signed to a 10-day contract this past Thursday, saw some playing time in what was only his 17th game in the NBA. Ledo played eight minutes in his debut, scoring six quick points in the fourth quarter, but an early 12-0 run by the Raptors would essentially cap the win.
Tyler Hansbrough had a fantastic afternoon, scoring a season-high 18 points on 7-for-8 shooting, nine of which came in the second quarter, picking up the slack of DeMar DeRozan who only scored two points in the second, though he finished with 23 points. Valanciunas also scored 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Lou Williams and Greivis Vasquez combined for 25 points in a much needed victory for the Raptors.
The Knicks return home tomorrow to face the Memphis Grizzlies, who maintain the second seed in the Western Conference. The Grizzlies have won seven of their last 12 games, and with a tough defense - they currently rank second in the league in points allowed per game - a victory for the Knicks is unlikely. Whether or not Alexey Shved will play remains uncertain.