OKLAHOMA CITY — Demar DeRozan scored 28 points to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 103-98 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
DeRozan made 7 of 18 shots from the field to go with five rebounds and three assists. Guard Kyle Lowry had 17 points and center Jonas Valanciunas also finished with 17 points and added 11 rebounds as Toronto moved to 5-0.
Oklahoma City (3-2) dropped its second straight game despite guard Russell Westbrook and forward Kevin Durant putting up big numbers. Westbrook totaled 22 points, 16 assists and eight turnovers. Durant added 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting from the field, seven rebounds and three blocked shots.
Center Enes Kanter came off the bench to score 15 points for the Thunder.
With 4:05 left in the fourth quarter, Durant hit a free throw after a technical foul to put Oklahoma City up 94-87. Toronto then got a steal that led to two DeRozan free throws.
Westbrook was fouled and made one of his two foul shots before DeRozan scored to cut the lead to 95-91. Thunder forward Serge Ibaka and Valanciunas exchanged foul shots and Oklahoma City still led by four.
Lowry cut the lead to two with a driving layup. Westbrook missed a layup and Valanciunas grabbed the rebound. He was fouled and tied the score at 97 with two free throws.
Durant missed a fadeaway jumper from the corner and the Raptors got the ball to DeRozan, who gave them the lead with 47 seconds left.
Westbrook tried to tie the score but missed a layup. Forward DeMarre Carroll hit two free throws and the Raptors were up 101-97 with 16 seconds left.
Durant made one of two free throws, but there was a scramble for the loose ball on the rebound and a jump ball was called. The Raptors got the tip and DeRozan closed out the game at the line.
Oklahoma City was outrebounded 45-41. But the Raptors did the most damage at the free throw line, making 32 of 39 to the Thunder’s 12 of 14.
NOTES: Thunder F Kevin Durant isn’t pleased that he’s averaging only 1.8 assists per game. “It’s an issue,” Durant said. “I’m playing a lot behind the pick and rolls, spotting up, playing the four a lot. Not getting a lot of opportunities in the pick and roll. But that’s on me. I’ve got to rebound better. Then I have to be more aggressive when I get it. But that’s unacceptable for somebody, who I feel as though I can do everything on the court. It’s unacceptable to average only two assists.” … With the Raptors off to a fast start, G Kyle Lowry likes what he has seen so far. “I think it was the start that we needed,” Lowry said. “Either we could have a real good start, or a tough start with pretty much 10 new guys. But I think we’ve done a good job of just staying focused with our principles.” … Thunder F Serge Ibaka has cut down down his 3-point shots this season with only three in the first four games. “I’m not going to try to force myself to find three,” he said. “If a 3 find me … I’m ready to shoot.” … Raptors coach Dwane Casey compared the atmosphere at Chesapeake Energy Arena with the University of Kentucky.