Anunoby, VanVleet lead way as Raptors roll past Wizards
O.G. Anunoby scored a game-high 29 points, Fred VanVleet added 28 and the Toronto Raptors pulled out a 114-104 victory over the visiting Washington Wizards on Sunday.
Anunoby scored 18 of his points in the first quarter, setting a new career-high for points in a single frame.
Pascal Siakam had 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Jakob Poeltl contributed a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double for Toronto (37-38). The Raptors took the season series 2-1 with the victory and have won five of their last seven games.
Kristaps Porzingis led the way with 26 points for Washington (33-42), which was missing starters Bradley Beal, Monte Morris and Kyle Kuzma due to injury.
The Wizards have lost five of their last six and sit 3 1/2 games back of Chicago for the 10th seed — and final play-in spot — in the East.
Anunoby started out hot, scoring 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the opening six minutes, and the Raptors took a quick 20-9 edge in the first quarter. But it was Scottie Barnes who made his presence felt early with a steal, followed by a crowd-pleasing 360 dunk.
VanVleet swiftly countered a 7-0 Wizards run later in the frame as part of a 9-0 Toronto run. VanVleet scored three of his 11 first-quarter points from long-range with 4.1 seconds left and the Raptors took a 37-21 advantage entering the second.
WATCH | Anunoby, VanVleet lead Raptors to convincing win over Wizards:
Porzingis helped Washington cover some distance, scoring five straight in a 9-0 run to make it a 43-35 game with 6:43 left. However, it was Siakam who took the reins for Toronto, scoring his first 11 points of the game in the frame to keep Washington at bay.
Up 49-40 with 3:55 left, the Raptors went on a 12-0 run thanks to eight straight points from VanVleet,