Raptors 905 will head into the G League's All-Star pause on a two-game skid after a 134-124 loss to the Cleveland Charge on Thursday night at Cleveland's Public Auditorium.
It was the second meeting between the clubs in three days. The Mississauga-based team had already lost 126-122 in Cleveland on Tuesday.
A lead that slipped away
Raptors 905 controlled the first half. The team won both of the opening quarters, 29-27 and 34-28, and took a 63-55 lead into the break while shooting well from the field.
The game turned in the third quarter. Cleveland poured in 43 points to the 905's 26, turning an eight-point deficit into a nine-point lead heading to the fourth. The 905 kept pace in the fourth, which Cleveland edged 36-35, but could not close the gap.
The Charge did much of its damage from long range, making 22 of 44 three-point attempts. Cleveland also won the rebounding battle 46-35, including 14 offensive boards, and scored 26 points off Raptors 905 turnovers.
Lawson and Roddy carry the offence
A.J. Lawson led all scorers with 35 points on 12-of-25 shooting, including five three-pointers, and added seven rebounds. David Roddy played 41 minutes and finished with 28 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Julian Reese was efficient inside, scoring 24 points on 11-of-13 shooting with 13 rebounds. Jarkel Joiner added 16 points, while AJ Hoggard handed out eight assists off the bench.
As a team, Raptors 905 shot 55 per cent from the field and outscored Cleveland 60-46 in the paint, but the visitors could not match the Charge's three-point volume.
Riley Minix led Cleveland with 27 points, hitting six of 10 from beyond the arc. Tristan Enaruna scored 22, Norchad Omier had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Darius Brown II dished out 10 assists.
Next up
Raptors 905 are off for more than a week. The team is next scheduled to play on Friday, Feb. 20, the first of two games against the Windy City Bulls in the Chicago area.
