Trent scores 35 points, Raptors beat short-handed Suns
TORONTO (AP) — Gary Trent Jr. has his season-high with 35 points, Pascal Siakam had 26 and the Toronto Raptors hit a five-game losing streak at home on Friday with a 113-104 win over the undermanned and sloppy Phoenix Suns Night.
TORONTO (AP) — Gary Trent Jr. has his season-high with 35 points, Pascal Siakam had 26 and the Toronto Raptors hit a five-game losing streak at home on Friday with a 113-104 win over the undermanned and sloppy Phoenix Suns Night.
Scottie Barnes hit a tie 3-pointer at 3:16 in the fourth quarter, and rookie center Christian Kololo followed with another long-range basket to help the Raptors win for the third time in 11 games. OG Anunoby scored 16 points and Barnes finished with 11.
Siakam has scored at least 25 points in seven straight games. Vince Carter made it in February and March 2001 with eight consecutive franchise records.
Chris Paul had 20 points and 12 assists but had six of the Suns’ worst 27 turnovers of the season, leading to 34 points for the Raptors.
Mikal Bridges had 21 points and Torrey Craig had 13 as Phoenix lost for the fifth time in the last six.
The Suns played their third straight game without All-Star guard Devin Booker, who is expected to be out for at least four weeks with a strained left groin.
Booker had missed five of seven games with hamstring and groin problems before returning against Denver on Christmas Day. He only lasted four minutes before leaving. The Suns are also without Cam Johnson (right knee), Cameron Payne (right foot) and Landry Shamet (right Achilles).
Toronto guard Fred VanVleet missed his second straight game with lower back pain
The Raptors led 33-24 after a quarter and were up 53-51 at halftime.
Trent dove after stealing Craig’s faulty pass at 9:32 in the third quarter. That was the 19th turnover for Phoenix, matching the worst of the previous singles game this season.
Sun guard Josh Okogie turned the ball again 23 seconds later, leading to a 3 for Siakam.
After scoring 10 points from 15 turnovers from Phoenix in the first half, Toronto grabbed 15 points from seven turnovers from Suns in the third quarter.
Trent scored 18 points in third place as the Raptors went 86-79 for fourth place.
TIP INS
Suns: Had nine turnovers in the first quarter. … Jock Landale had 11 rebounds. … Duane Washington Jr. scored 11 points. … outrebound Toronto 42-32.
Raptors: Went 5-10 in December. … Trent shot 9 for 9 at the free throw line.
NEXT
Suns: On Sunday in New York.
Raptors: In Indiana on Monday night.
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Ian Harrison, The Associated Press
