Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) scores past Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) during the second half of their NBA game at Barclays Center. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 104-98. Picture: Noah K.
Murray-USA TODAY Sports
DPA/Los Angeles
The Toronto Raptors were undefeated but the Orlando Magic changed all that on Friday.
Tobias Harris scored 20 points, Evan Fournier made the defensive play of the game in the closing seconds and the Magic handed the visiting Raptors their first loss of the season, 92-87.
“It feels great, man, especially against Toronto,” Fournier said.
“They were 5-0. That’s a very good team.”
With the Magic ahead, 88-87, Raptors Kyle Lowry set a screen on Fournier leaving DeMar DeRozan open. But the Frenchman fought through it and stripped DeRozan of the ball under the basket and off his leg on an attempted layup.
The Raptors regained possession and Lowry spotted Jonas Valanciunas, who missed the potential go-ahead left-handed drive to the basket. Victor Oladipo grabbed the ball for the Magic, sped up court and drew a clear path foul with 2.4 seconds left.
Oladipo made both free throws, and Fournier added two more from the stripe, as Orlando ended an 11-game slide against the Raptors dating back to March 2012
“We’ve been working hard,” said Oladipo, who finished with 18 points.
“A lot of close games. It’s nice to grind one out.”
DeRozan scored 23 points, Corey Joseph had 19 and Lowry finished with 17 for Toronto (5-1), which shot a frosty 35 per cent from the field.
“They made us work for everything,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said.
•Golden State Warriors 119, Denver Nuggets 104: League MVP Stephen Curry had 34 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, Harrison Barnes netted a season-best 21, and the reigning NBA Champion Warriors improved to 6-0 after dropping the visiting Nuggets for their 22nd consecutive home-court win.
Italy’s Danilio Gallinari dropped in a season-high 25 points for Denver (2-4), which cut a 30-point halftime deficit to 10.
•Houston Rockets 116, Sacramento Kings 110: James Harden erupted for a season-best 43 points with 13 assists, and the Rockets (3-3) held off the Kings.
Israeli Omri Casspi and Darren Collison tallied 22 points apiece for Sacramento (1-5) which stormed from 20 down in the third quarter to one in the final frame.
•Cleveland Cavaliers 108, Philadelphia 76ers 102: LeBron James had 18 of his 31 points in the third quarter and 13 rebounds, and the visiting Cavs (5-1) won their fifth in a row while keeping Sixers winless.
Nerlens Noel and rookie Jahlil Okafor led Philadelphia (0-5) with 18 points apiece.
•Indiana Pacers 90, Miami Heat 87: Paul George had 11 of his 36 points in the final frame along with 12 rebounds, and the Pacers (3-3) held off the visiting Heat (3-3) led by Chris Bosh’s 21-point, 11-rebound effort.
•Atlanta Hawks 121, New Orleans Pelicans 115: Paul Millsap had 22 points with 12 rebounds, Kyle Korver also netted 22 on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting, and the visiting Hawks (5-1) won their sixth in a row while keeping the Pelicans winless.
Anthony Davis collected a career-high-tying 43 points with 10 rebounds for New Orleans, 0-5 under new head coach Alvin Gentry.
•Boston Celtics 118, Washington Wizards 98: Jared Sullinger scored 21 points, Kelly Olynyk added 19 off the bench, and the Celtics (2-3) snapped a three-game slide after whipping the visiting Wizards (3-2) despite Bradley Beal’s game-high 23.
•Milwaukee Bucks 99, New York Knicks 92: John Henson scored 22 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo added 20, and the visiting Bucks (3-3) won their third in a row while sending the Knicks to a third straight loss.
Carmelo Anthony tossed in 17 points, and Latvian rookie Kristaps Porzingis had 14 with 13 rebounds as New York (2-4) dropped to 0-3 at home.
