Raptors finally pull away from Suns 107-98, improve to 8-1
PHOENIX — The Toronto Raptors weren’t at their best, but good enough to pull away from the Phoenix Suns for another victory in the best start to a season in the Canadian franchise’s history.
Kawhi Leonard scored 19 points and the Raptors used a 14-2 fourth-quarter run to finally put away the pesky Phoenix Suns 107-98 on Friday night.
Jonas Valanciunas added 16 points and Serge Ibaka 14 for the Raptors, who improved to 8-1, the best nine-game start in franchise history. Kyle Lowry had 11 points and 12 assists.
“It is a 48 minute game and I think we are playing pretty good basketball for about 28 minutes right now,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. “We got to stretch that. I don’t think we will ever get to 48 minutes, but we want to get in the 40s probably after the new year.”