Raptors fans show Kyle Lowry love after Game 1 struggles

You’re hardest on the ones you love, they say.

After putting up a grand total of zero points in Game 1 against the Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry was receiving criticism from all ends of the spectrum. Former players, media, and fans alike fired shots at his poor record in opening games of a series.

The Raptors, after going down 0-1 in the series to the seventh-seeded Magic, needed to win Game 2. They needed Lowry back at his best.

Just over a minute into the game, Lowry was fouled on a drive and went to the free-throw line to shoot two. After missing the first, instead of allowing themselves to get caught up in the negativity, the fans rose to their feet and cheered as Lowry prepared to shoot the second. The noise became deafening when he made it, and that further fuelled his fire.

He knocked down a three-pointer soon after, played smothering defence on D.J. Augustin — who outplayed him in the first go-around — and ran the offence in typical fashion.

Lowry finished the game with 22 points, seven assists and four rebounds as the Raptors cruised to a dominant 111-82 victory to even up the series at one game apiece.

Safe to say, the Kyle Lowry fans know and love in Toronto was back to his best in Game 2.

More Raptors coverage from Yahoo Sports