Mar 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dunks against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Raptors defeated the Pelicans 115-91. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
NEW ORLEANS — One night after being ejected in the fourth quarter for arguing a call, DeMar DeRozan scored 11 of his game-high 23 points in the third quarter to lift the Toronto Raptors to a 115-91 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans Saturday night at the Smoothie King Center.
In snapping a two-game road losing streak, the Raptors (49-23) matched their franchise record for most victories in a season, with 10 games remaining. The Raptors have increased their win total in each of the last five seasons.
Toronto held short-handed New Orleans (26-46) to 43 percent shooting, and the Raptors shot 53.4 percent from the floor. In addition to DeRozan, who was 9 of 11 from the floor, the Raptors were led by reserve forward Patrick Patterson with 16 points, Norman Powell with 15 and Luis Scola with 12, all coming on 3-pointers.
Toronto swept the series against New Orleans, having also beaten the Pelicans 100-81 on Nov. 13.
Magic 111, Bulls 89
ORLANDO — Dewayne Dedmon scored a career-high 18 points and grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds in leading Orlando to an easy victory over hapless Chicago.
The Magic snapped a six-game losing streak. The Bulls lost their third consecutive game as their once-legitimate playoff hopes continued to fade.
Dedmon, in his third NBA season, made nine of 14 shots and played only 22 minutes. He was starting in place of injured Nikola Vucevic.
Nets 120, Pacers 110
NEW YORK — Brook Lopez scored 14 of his 23 points during the fourth quarter and Brooklyn rallied for a victory over Indiana.
Lopez was 2-of-9 shooting as the Nets trailed by 14 early in the second quarter and faced a 93-85 deficit going into the fourth quarter. He helped the Nets get the lead, hitting a short jumper for a 106-102 lead with 4:26 remaining and then made plays at both ends down the stretch.
Lopez also made a major defensive play with 2:59 remaining when he contested a corner 3-pointer by Paul George. On Brooklyn’s next possession, Lopez hit a short jumper over Jordan Hill for a 111-108 advantage.
