TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors added 70 points in the first half to clinch a 124-101 win over the Sacramento Kings on Monday.
Chris Boucher’s 17 points led the way as Toronto (13-14) won for the second time in a row and the fourth of its last five games.
The Raptors’ first-half total surpassed the previous season’s record of 67 points scored in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 24.
All five Toronto starters scored in double figures against the Kings. After Boucher’s total, rookie Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam each scored 16 points. Fred VanVleet scored 12 and Gary Trent Jr. added 10.
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Da’Aaron Fox scored 29 points for the Kings (11-17), who have lost five of their last eight games.
The Raptors came out the door with an 11-0 run and held a 30-22 lead after the first quarter.
Toronto found its shooting rhythm in the second quarter, increasing the lead to 70-45 at halftime. The Raptors were 31 of 41 (60.8%) from the field and a strong 6 of 15 (40%) from behind the 3-point arc.
Raptors starters Barnes, Siakam and Boucher led the way in the first half with 14, 10 and 10 points, respectively.
VanVleet, Trent Jr. and Svi Mykhailiuk each scored eight points in the first two quarters. Mykailiuk scored 11 points in total, while Malachi Flynn and Yuta Watanabe came off the bench to score 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Watanabe also grabbed 10 rebounds for his first career double-double.
The Raptors enjoyed a 93-69 lead after three quarters.
Toronto visits the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, but the Raptors found that their home game against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday was postponed. Ten Chicago players and some of the staff were placed on the league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Forward Precious Achiuwa missed the start against Sacramento due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Also absent from the Toronto lineup were OG Anunoby (left hip pointer), Khem Birch (right ankle) and David Johnson (left calf strain).
This Canadian Press report was first published on December 13, 2021.
© 2021 The Canadian Press
Reference-globalnews.ca