Raptors winning streak snapped in thriller vs. Thunder

Rudi Schuller

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Raptors winning streak snapped in thriller vs. Thunder image

The Toronto Raptors had their 11-game winning streak snapped by the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder, who left the Air Canada Centre on Sunday with a 132-125 victory.

With 25 lead changes, the contest was a true battle of NBA heavyweights. The East-leading Raptors spent much of the second half trying to keep pace with the surging Thunder, but the Russell Westbrook-led squad ultimately proved to be the better team over the course of 48 minutes.

Toronto (52-18) drops to 4.5 games ahead of second-place Boston in the Eastern Conference, pending the result of the Celtics' game against New Orleans later Sunday.

Here are three takeaways from Sunday's thrilling contest:

Stars tossed

The Raptors' All-Star duo of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry were both influential on the scoreboard as usual, with the two combining for 46 points.

Neither were particularly effective defensively, but their ability to create points was part of the reason Toronto was able to to keep things close. If they weren't doing the scoring themselves, they were dishing out passes, and the duo finished with 15 assists between them.

Lowry's effectiveness was hampered by a lack of time on the court due to some early foul trouble. The point guard only played 27:08, and fouled out in the fourth quarter.

In addition, DeRozan was one of three Raptors (including coach Dwane Casey) ejected late in the game following some contentious calls by the officials.

DeRozan played just over 33 minutes in the losing effort.

Second unit, first in your hearts

None of Toronto's starters finished the game with a positive differential, as the Thunder seemed to know exactly how to overrun the Raptors' bigger names.

Enter the "Bench Mob," who have dominated so often this year regardless of how well the starters have done. With key offensive contributions from C.J. Miles, Delon Wright and Pascal Siakam, the Raptors' second unit kept their team in the game at times when it looked like the visitors were primed to run away with it.

Even little-used Lucas Nogeuira had five points and five rebounds in Sunday's thriller, showing just how deep Toronto's bench runs.

Even more impressive than the bench scoring was the second unit's ability to keep the Thunder off the board, with several players ending up with a double-digit differential.

Unfortunately for the Raptors, it wasn't enough.

Birthday boy

Miles is an important member of Toronto's Bench Mob, and against the Thunder he showed his value in the back-and-forth affair.

Celebrating his 31st birthday on Sunday, Miles delivered a number of clutch buckets as the Raptors dealt with one of the toughest opponents they've faced this season.

Like the rest of his second unit brethren, Miles was superb on both ends of the floor. He finished with 15 points and a plus-11 differential.

Rudi Schuller