With 35 points, forward Gary Trent Jr. snapped the Toronto Raptors’ five-game home streak en route to a 113-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday at the Scotiabank Center.
Trent Jr. picked a good time to go with his best performance of the season. He made 24 of the 42 shots he attempted. His teammate Pascal Siakam, who has been very successful lately, finished his night with 26 points. The Cameroonian has scored at least 25 points in a seventh consecutive game. The franchise record belongs to Vince Carter, who did it eight times in a row in 2001.
Chris Paul had 20 points and 12 assists, but fell victim to six of the American team’s 27 total turnovers. The Suns thus allowed Nick Nurse’s troop to escape from the score.
Montrealer Chris Boucher finished with seven points while hitting 50% of his field goal shots.
The Suns had to deal with a big absentee. Star player Devin Booker learned on Thursday that he will be at least four more weeks away from action. He had already missed six of his team’s last nine games with hamstring and then groin pain.
The Raptors’ next game is Monday against Bennedict Mathurin’s Indiana Pacers of Montreal.
Happy birthday LeBron
In Atlanta, LeBron James celebrated his 38th birthday in style by recording 47 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 130-121 win over the Hawks.
“King James” proved he still has the touch by knowing his best individual game of the season. He progressed to a triple double assist, while also grabbing 10 rebounds.
Center Thomas Bryant also did well with 19 points and 17 rebounds.
