TORONTO – Another hot night for DeMar DeRozan, another victory for the Toronto Raptors.
DeRozan, who led the league through his first four games with 36.3 points, scored 34 on Friday, lifting Toronto 96-87 over the Miami Heat.
The last player to start a season with five consecutive games with at least 30 points was Michael Jordan in 1986. Jordan’s streak reached six games. Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Portland’s Damian Lillard were the only players last season to record five straight games with at least 30 points.
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Terrence Ross finished with 20 in his best game of this young season, while Kyle Lowry had 13 and eight assists for the Raptors (4-1). Jonas Valanciunas grabbed 10 rebounds.
Hassan Whiteside had 21 to top the Heat (2-3), while Goran Dragic had 17 and Tyler Johnson finished with 16.
The Raptors led by double digits for much of what marked the first meeting between the two teams since Toronto dispatched Miami in last season’s thrilling Eastern Conference semifinals.