TORONTO – His first points in nearly two months came just two minutes into Wednesday’s game on a fadeaway jump shot – classic DeMar DeRozan.
The Raptors all-star scored a team-high 20 points to lead Toronto to a 100-84 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, showing little rust in his much-anticipated return from a groin injury.
Lou Williams finished with 19 points for Toronto (26-12), while Kyle Lowry had 18 points and 12 assists. Jonas Valanciunas added 12 points, while Amir Johnson finished with 10.
Michael Carter-Williams scored 29 points to top the Sixers (7-31).
DeRozan had missed 21 games with a torn groin tendon, suffered when driving to the basket on Nov. 28 versus Dallas. His tiny daughter Diar, wearing a Raptors jersey – the back read “Mini DeRozan” – was there to watch her dad’s return, which was good timing for a team that sorely needed him.
The Raptors initially managed well without him, winning 11 of their first 15 games. But they dropped five of their last six, including Monday’s 114-111 loss to Detroit. And looming Friday: the Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta Hawks.
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