Title: DeRozan, Lowry see-saw act working to Raptors’ favour
Date: January 1, 2016
Original Source: Sportsnet
Synopsis: For my latest at Sportsnet, I spoke to DeMar DeRozan about trading the offensive load back-and-forth with teammate and friend Kyle Lowry.
TORONTO – The first game of January started much like most of December’s games began for the Toronto Raptors: DeMar DeRozanwas on fire.
The likely Eastern Conference Player of the Month went 7-of-11 from the floor in the first half on Friday, scoring 19 points against a qualityCharlotte Hornets defence that had little answer for his versatile offensive game. P.J. Hairston couldn’t keep up through screens, Jeremy Lamb was getting roasted in the post, and Nicolas Batum and Marvin Williams could only help for stretches lest a size advantage be exposed elsewhere. And so DeRozan had his way in the first half of the Raptors’ 104-94 win.
Things took an unfamiliar turn out of the break, as DeRozan came out unable to draw a whistle, his liquid-hot jumper suddenly drying up. DeRozan would miss all seven of his field-goal attempts in the half, adding just four points on free throws. Based on how December went, and given the team’s history with the Hornets, that seemed a potential death knell.
Continue reading at Sportsnet.
Blake Murphy Sports Writing 