Recap: Toronto vs. Atlanta
Sports Network | November 28, 2008
Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Chris Bosh arrived later than usual to the arena thanks to an elevator issue, but then had a great all-around effort with 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, helping Toronto to a 93-88 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
Bosh said he got stuck for about an hour on an elevator inside his condominium building and didn't get to Air Canada Centre until about 45 minutes before tip-off. He went 13-of-26 from the field, though, and carried the Raptors to their second straight victory for the first time since the team won three in a row to start the season.
Jason Kapono added 16 points and drilled two big free throws in the final seconds for Toronto. Joey Graham scored 11 and Jamario Moon 10 for the Raptors, who also got 11 assists from Jose Calderon.
Mike Bibby scored 24 for Atlanta, losers in six of their last nine games. Joe Johnson tallied 18 points and seven assists, while Maurice Evans scored 17. AL Horford chipped in 10 points and eight boards, while Marvin Williams ended with 10 points and seven boards as the Hawks lost their fifth straight road game.
A three-point play from Bosh extended the Toronto lead to 89-80 with just under four minutes left, but the Hawks came back with the next six points, capped by a Bibby jumper with 1:20 left.
Calderon countered with a driving layup, but Bibby then drove in for a bucket with just over a minute left for a 91-88 difference. Williams then came up with a block on Anthony Parker's jumper and the Raptors were whistled for a shot clock violation, giving the Hawks a chance to creep closer or tie the game.
Williams, though, missed a runner in the lane and Bosh came down with the rebound. Kapono sank two from the line with 14.9 seconds left, and Johnson then missed a three-point try, sealing Toronto's victory.
Zaza Pachulia had 17 rebounds for the Hawks, who shot just 42.2 percent from the field.
Toronto held a 24-21 lead after one quarter and widened that advantage to double digits early in the second. The Hawks rallied with a 14-3 run to close the half to lead, 50-46.
Atlanta continued to hold the lead nearly the entire third quarter, but the Raptors netted the final eight of the period to grab a 69-65 edge going to the fourth.
Raptors center Jermaine O'Neal missed his second straight game with a sprained left ankle...Atlanta is 8-1 this season when allowing less than 100 points...Atlanta forward Josh Smith (ankle) has missed 11 straight games...Calderon, who didn't attempt a free throw, has made 40 consecutive foul shots to start the season. Steve Nash was the last player to start a season with 40 consecutive free throws when he made 53 to begin the 2007-08 season.
