DeRozan scores 40 points as Raptors keep Wizards winless
WASHINGTON — DeMar DeRozan wouldn’t let a little ankle injury keep him from carrying the Toronto Raptors.
DeRozan shook it off and scored 40 points, outdueling John Wall in a showcase of All-Star guards as the Raptors beat the winless Washington Wizards 113-103 on Wednesday night. Despite leaving the game briefly to get his ankles re-taped, DeRozan was 14 of 23 from the floor and cracked the 30-point mark for the fourth time in four games to start the season.
“He’s playing on another level right now,” said backcourt mate Kyle Lowry, who scored 18. “He’s making my life a lot easier and making I think everybody on our team’s life a lot easier. He’s saving possessions, he’s creating possessions. He’s creating offence.”
DeRozan tied Mike James’ 2005 franchise record with four consecutive 30-point games after previously dropping 40, 32 and 33 in games against Detroit, Cleveland and Denver. He said he didn’t care about Sports Illustrated ranking him the 46th-best player in the NBA but tries to improve each night.