Raptors rout Nuggets 135-111 to end 9-game losing streak

<p>TAMPA, Fla. &mdash; Pascal Siakam scored 27 points and the Toronto Raptors routed the Denver Nuggets 135-111 on Wednesday night to break a nine-game losing streak.</p>
<p>Toronto built a 24-point lead in the first half and shot 50% (24 of 48) on 3-pointers overall to win for the first time since Feb. 26.</p>
<p>OG Anunoby scored 18 of his 23 points before halftime for the Raptors. Norman Powell added 22 points and Fred VanVleet had 19.</p>
<p>Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray scored 20 points apiece for Denver, which lost for only the third time in 12 games. Michael Porter Jr. added 19 points and eight rebounds.</p>
<p>The Raptors made their first five 3s, two during an early 8-0 run that put them ahead for good.</p>
<p>Denver went scoreless for more than three minutes of the second quarter as Paul Watson Jr. and Anunoby hit 3-pointers in a 12-0 run. Toronto led 67-43 when Siakam drove for a layup with 2:34 left in the first half.</p>
<p>The Nuggets never got the margin under 15 in the second half. A trio of 3s by Watson in the fourth quarter helped the Raptors stretch their lead to 35.</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Nuggets: Had tied a franchise record with their sixth straight road win Tuesday night in Orlando. … G Monte Morris missed his seventh game with a quadriceps injury.</p>
<p>Raptors: Maple Leaf Sports &amp; Entertainment used the first all-female broadcast crew in NBA history, with The Sports Network’s Kate Beirness and Amy Audibert serving as studio hosts. Meghan McPeak did the play-by-play, Kia Nurse was the analyst and Kayla Gray gave the sideline reports. … Raptors coach Nick Nurse downplayed reports of a shouting match with Siakam after Sunday night’s loss at Cleveland, and said reports of a $50,000 fine were inaccurate. … The nine-game losing streak was Toronto’s longest in 10 years.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Nuggets: Play at New Orleans on Friday night.</p>
<p>Raptors: Home against Phoenix on Friday night.</p>
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