Raptors rip Knicks, extend winning streak

TORONTO — Jonas Valanciunas led the way with 18 points and 10 rebounds as the Toronto Raptors thumped the struggling New York Knicks 113-88 on Thursday night at Air Canada Centre.

Serge Ibaka chipped in 13 points and eight rebounds. Pascall Siakam added 14 points, five rebounds and six assists and Jakob Poeltl had 13 points off the bench. Toronto’s second unit out-scored New York’s bench 61-35.

The Raptors (38-16) have now won four straight and six of seven overall. The depleted Knicks (23-33) have lost five straight and eight of their past 10.

Michael Beasley led the Knicks with 21 points and seven rebounds while Trey Burke added 12 points and three assists off the bench.

New York was playing without Kristaps Porzingis for the first time on Thursday. The Knicks forward suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament on Tuesday and is done for the season. New York was also without guard Ron Baker (right shoulder surgery) and center Enes Kanter (oral surgery).

Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan combined for 14 points on 4 for 21 shooting from the field.

The Raptors bench used an early 10-2 surge to push their lead to 23 with 7:43 to play in the fourth, and cruised the rest of the way to earn their 23rd home win of the season.

Toronto led 82-66 after three quarters.

Valanciunas had 11 points and five rebounds as Toronto led 52-41 at the break. Beasley led all Knicks scorers with 13 points and three rebounds.

The Raptors led by as much as 13 with 6:11 to play in the half thanks to seven points each from Poeltl and Siakam off the bench.

The Raptors led by five, 23-18, after one quarter despite shooting just 33 per cent from the field.

Valanciunas led the way with eight points and four rebounds while Tim Hardaway Jr., and Beasley each had four for the Knicks.

The Raptors and Knicks meet for a fourth and final time on Mar. 11 at Madison Square Garden.

Notes: