DeRozan, Raptors outduel Blazers at the line in battle of elite backcourts

TORONTO - Dwane Casey didn't want the Raptors to get comfortable during this seven-game home stretch, "I'd rather not have as many games at home because you get too comfortable at home, I think to mix it up is better mentally as much as anything else. Seeing family members is great, but it takes you out of your routine."

Despite coming in with a 40-19 record Friday night, the Raptors put their 11-game win streak at home on the line against one of the deadliest backcourts in the league and a team in Portland that has been climbing the ladder in the Western Conference.

Damian Lillard most of all has put this team on his back of late, and Raptors coach Dwane Casey knows all too well, "Everyone talks about Steph Curry's range, this young man has great range too. Whoever's guarding him tonight better check him two-three steps behind the three point line."

Lillard displayed his range early on in the game, draining a buzzer beater from half court to end the first quarter:

DeMar DeRozan and the Raptors were relentless attacking the basket, and the game was decided at the free throw line. A total of 65 personal fouls were committed throughout the game, leading to 89 shots from the charity stripe.

With all the aggressive play and fouls being called, DeRozan set a single-game franchise record with 24 consecutive free throws.

"That was one of the most fun games to be a part of. Everybody was aggressive, that team is definitely fighting for something to make it to the playoffs."

Toronto managed to drain 22 of them in 28 attempts en route to a 58-52 lead at half time.

Damian Lillard sparked a second-half comeback that helped Portland cut the deficit back to just four half way through the fourth quarter en route to a game-high 50 points. But the Raptors held on to a 117-115 win to extend their home win-streak to 12 games and improve to 41-19 on the season.

Dwane Casey praised Lillard for his performance tonight, "How isn't he an All-Star in our League? Shame on us. That young man can score any which way he wants to. Talk about Steph Curry coming across half-court and shooting it? This young man can come across half-court and shoot it also."

Coach Dwane Casey made a change to the starting lineup that paid dividends, and Norman Powell got the start to mach up with the quicker, shiftier McCollum. The rookie from UCLA put together the best performance of his young career, and held his own against the Blazers' breakout guard.

"Norm gave us the hustle, the fight, the grit that we needed to chase those guys to try and wear them down. Just his energy, his energy gave us a bump that you need to go against a guy like McCollum" said Casey.

Powell finished with 10 points and six rebounds in his first start at the Air Canada Centre and fifth of his career.

DeRozan's 38 points on the night helped him become the third Raptor to reach the 9000 point plateau. DeMar also had a chance to become the first player in NBA history to finish a game 25-for-25 from the free throw line, but missed his final shot with 0.9 seconds remaining.

"Kyle Lowry told me to miss, so blame it on Kyle."

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