DeRozan, Raptors rally to dump Cavaliers for victory
2/25/2014CLEVELAND — DeMar DeRozan scored 16 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter, and the Toronto Raptors won for the sixth time in seven games with a 99-93 victory over the injury-riddled Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night.
Terrence Ross hit a 3-pointer with 3 minutes, 2 seconds left to put Toronto ahead 90-89. DeRozan dunked on a baseline drive and added two free throws to give the Raptors a 94-91 lead with 1:23 remaining.
The all-star hit three more free throws in the final 27 seconds to put away the game.
Kyrie Irving, who played 45 minutes and the entire second half because of Cleveland’s depleted roster, scored 25 points and had nine assists. Cleveland has lost three straight after winning six in a row and fell 5½ games out of the final playoff spot in the East.
The Cavaliers again played without center Anderson Varejao (sore back) and guards Dion Waiters (hyperextended left knee) and C.J. Miles (sprained left ankle).
Ross scored 19 points while Greivis Vasquez added 15 for the Raptors.
Spencer Hawes, making his first start for Cleveland, scored 15 points.