(Toronto) Dorian Finney-Smith had 16 points before committing a critical blunder on Saturday as the Toronto Raptors racked up a 105-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
The score was 103-100 in favor of the Raptors when Dallas restarted in the Toronto zone with 16.6 seconds left.
Maxi Kleber passed to Reggie Bullock who passed to Finney-Smith, who believed Kleber was going to go to the basket.
Now, there was no Maverick around at all. Thaddeus Young easily seized the lost pass, then OG Anunoby sealed the win with free throws.
Coming back after missing a game because he wasn’t feeling well, Fred VanVleet scored 26 points, the same total as Anunoby.
VanVleet became the fastest undrafted player to reach the 5,000-point milestone in the NBA.
Montreal’s Chris Boucher added 22 points, hitting the mark for the third time in six games.
Throughout the streak, he averaged 18 points and 10.3 rebounds. He had 13 rebounds on Saturday.
Starting for a rare time, Juancho Hernangomez shone with 10 points, most of them at important moments.
He and Anunoby went 2-for-4 on three-pointers.
“He wanted the shots so badly,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said of the man he gave 43 minutes of play to. He wanted so badly that it helped him get them. I think he will sleep well. »
Anunoby also provided nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
He is the leader of the circuit in this last chapter.
“He’s kind of been our number one option for a week or two. We will need the same aggressive style from him when Pascal (Siakam) returns, to threaten in different ways in attack.
“I really like the way he plays and the fact that he gives everything. He shows up early for training. I am proud of him and all the progress he has made as a player. »
All evening, Anunoby made sure to counter the leading scorer in the NBA, Luka Doncic. He got 24 points, 10 less than his average per game this season.
“You just have to be very alert,” Anunoby said of his strategy. You know that it goes through him and that you will have to deal with the screens. It takes a lot of concentration. »
Nick Nurse’s club made a comeback after being down 18-4 in the first quarter, ending the engagement five points behind the opposition.
At the half, the Raptors clung to a two-point lead.
In the third quarter, an 8-0 push and long shot from VanVleet helped the group lead 81-72 after 36 minutes.
With 1:40 to go in the final quarter, a scrappy jump ball ended with Toronto taking the ball.
After an exchange of baskets, Boucher’s gave the Raptors a 101-98 lead, with 31.4 seconds on the clock.
Following a pass from Luka Doncic (and a timeout from Nurse), Young had two free throws. The decisive sequence followed, involving Finney-Smith’s ill-advised pass.
Young committed three turnovers early in the game and missed his share of hooks.
However, he distinguished himself with two steals, six rebounds and four assists, including several paying ones.
Last season’s rookie of the year, Scottie Barnes missed a second game with a left knee problem.
Pascal Siakam (groin), Otto Porter (left foot), Dalano Banton (left ankle) and Precious Achiuwa (right ankle) are also on the sidelines.
Siakam was injured Nov. 4 in Dallas. He could return to play during the coming week.
The Raptors (10-9) will play again Monday night at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
They beat the season-opening Cavaliers 108-105 in Toronto on October 19.
Spencer Dinwiddie had 15 points for the Mavericks, who have lost their last three meetings.
