Chris Boucher forced overtime but the Toronto Raptors fell short to the Portland Trail Blazers in what was a highly entertaining game on Saturday night.
Late in the fourth quarter after a jump ball, Toronto sent up a flurry of shots before Boucher’s layup tied it with 0.7 seconds left. Portland inbounded the ball to Ayton under the net, but his attempt rimmed out to send the game to overtime.
Portland then took full control in overtime outscoring the Raptors 15-5.
Deandre Ayton returned from a right hand sprain and had a season-high 30 points and 19 rebounds to help the Blazers secure the win.
Former Raptor Dalano Banton had 25 points and Andernee Simons added 23 to snap a three-game Portland losing streak.
Immanuel Quickley scored 29 points for the Raptors and Gary Trent Jr. added 23 as Toronto has won just once in the last five games.
The Raptors were shorthanded in this one once again as Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl are out indefinitely. Also RJ Barrett was a late scratch after coming down with an illness.
Portland was shorthanded too. They were without Jermani Grant (right hamstring), Jabari Walker (right hip) and Malcolm Brogdon (right elbow). Shaedon Sharpe was out after core surgery.
Portland jumped out to a 22-8 lead after Simons’ three-pointer in the opening quarter. Portland pushed the lead to 38-18 in the second quarter.
Portland took a 63-46 lead into halftime. Ayton led the way with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Raptors did a good job of erasing the Blazers lead in the second half but they could not pull out the win.
Toronto has now lost 3 games in a row as their road trip continues.
Next on tap
The Raptors will travel to Denver to take on the reigning champions Nuggets on March 11.
This will be the Raptors third game of their four-game road trip. Toronto is currently 0-2 on the trip.
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