Kawhi Leonard has been on another level all season long since coming over to the Toronto Raptors, but Tuesday night was even different on their home floor. Leonard kicked off 2019 with a career-high 45 points, as the Raptors got past the Utah Jazz, 122-116. Pascal Siakam also stepped up in a big way with a career-high 28 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Raptors win their fourth straight game at Scotiabank Arena. On the same night that Leonard was on an even higher level, he had plenty of support, including Norman Powell scoring a season-high 14 points. Toronto improved their Eastern Conference-leading record to 28-11, good for a one-game lead on the Milwaukee Bucks, who blew out the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.
Leonard's big day helped overcome come Jae Crowder's career night for the Jazz, as he scored a career-high 30 points in a losing effort. Derrick Favors finished with 21, while Donovan Mitchell was held to 19, as the Jazz dropped to 10-12 away from home. Utah did lead for a majority of the first half, getting nice starts from Rudy Gobert and Ricky Rubio, who had 16 and 14 points respectively.
Leonard's start was even hotter, as he shot 16-of-22 overall and 13-of-17 from the free throw line, as he put together this performance without making a three-pointer. He missed all three of his attempts from beyond the arc, but a hot third quarter powered him after halftime. Leonard scored 19 points and made all seven of his field goal attempts in those 12 minutes, putting together the second-highest scoring quarter of the season for Toronto. Serge Ibaka scored 20 points in one quarter during a November 4th win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Raptors needed the extra effort from Leonard, as well as the extra support, as they were without Kyle Lowry for the eighth time in the past nine games due to a sore back. The team did say that he received injections for the injury last Friday, but there is no word on an official timetable for the point guard. This was the same game that the Jazz got Crowder and Rubio back from injuries, but they still dropped to two games under .500 on the season.
The Raptors will be facing a familiar face on Thursday night when they visit DeMar DeRozan and the San Antonio Spurs. Meanwhile, the the Jazz will visit the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.
Leonard's big day helped overcome come Jae Crowder's career night for the Jazz, as he scored a career-high 30 points in a losing effort. Derrick Favors finished with 21, while Donovan Mitchell was held to 19, as the Jazz dropped to 10-12 away from home. Utah did lead for a majority of the first half, getting nice starts from Rudy Gobert and Ricky Rubio, who had 16 and 14 points respectively.
Leonard's start was even hotter, as he shot 16-of-22 overall and 13-of-17 from the free throw line, as he put together this performance without making a three-pointer. He missed all three of his attempts from beyond the arc, but a hot third quarter powered him after halftime. Leonard scored 19 points and made all seven of his field goal attempts in those 12 minutes, putting together the second-highest scoring quarter of the season for Toronto. Serge Ibaka scored 20 points in one quarter during a November 4th win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Raptors needed the extra effort from Leonard, as well as the extra support, as they were without Kyle Lowry for the eighth time in the past nine games due to a sore back. The team did say that he received injections for the injury last Friday, but there is no word on an official timetable for the point guard. This was the same game that the Jazz got Crowder and Rubio back from injuries, but they still dropped to two games under .500 on the season.
The Raptors will be facing a familiar face on Thursday night when they visit DeMar DeRozan and the San Antonio Spurs. Meanwhile, the the Jazz will visit the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.
