DeRozan's 45 points leads Raptors' comeback win in Philadelphia

Ryan Young

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DeRozan's 45 points leads Raptors' comeback win in Philadelphia image

The Raptors had fallen into a 22-point hole with nine minutes to go in the third quarter on Thursday night. 

Things weren't looking good. Their offense had gone stagnant, and they were struggling to stop the Philadelphia 76ers — who were once again without their star center Joel Embiid. 

It was a classic case of third-quarter woes for Toronto. 

Yet, by the time the third quarter ended in Philadelphia it was just a two-point ballgame. Just like that, the Raptors were back in it, and they didn't let their second chance go to waste. 

The Raptors ultimately beat the 76ers on Thursday night 114-109, winning their fifth-straight game.

The third quarter rally was sparked by a massive 25-8 run, sparked by a quick seven points from Kyle Lowry followed by seven points from Delon Wright. It was Wright's big three-pointer that tied the game up late in the quarter. 

The remainder of the game stayed tight, and the two teams were tied 100-100 with nearly five minutes left. But eight free throws from DeMar DeRozan and a bucket from Serge Ibaka was enough to hold the 76ers off and give Toronto the five-point win.

DeRozan finished with 45 points for the Raptors. Lowry added 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists, shooting 6-of-15 from the field. Wright and Ibaka each finished with 12 points. 

MORE: New offensive philosophy paying dividends for Raptors

Ben Simmons led the 76ers with 20 points, six rebounds and four assists, shooting 9-of-14 from the field. Robert Covington put up 19, and Dario Saric added 18 points. 

The Raptors (22-8) will take on the 76ers (14-17) next on Saturday afternoon in a rematch at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

DeRozan's career night

DeMar DeRozan took over the Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night. 

The Raptors guard scored a career-high 45 points in the Raptors' win, going 13-of-21 from the field.

He scored a career-high six three-pointers — four of which came in the first quarter — marking the first time he made more than five three-pointers since Jan. 4, 2012, against Cleveland. 

DeRozan also went 13-of-15 from the free-throw line — including eight free throws in the final minutes to keep the Raptors in the lead.

Ryan Young