POUND THE ROCK STARS OF THE NIGHT - RAPTORS 111, JAZZ 106 (2 OT)

POUND THE ROCK STARS - On a nightly basis, no matter how good or bad the Raps play, no matter if they blow out a team or if they get blown out and no matter if they win or lose, these are the Raptors with the best 'Pound the Rock' stats for the night.

FINAL SCORE: RAPS 111, JAZZ 106 (2 OT) SEASON RECORD: 6W-13L

POUND THE ROCK STAR #1: LINAS KLEIZA
LINE: 25 pts (8-16, 4-9 3pt, 5-5 ft), 5 rebs, 1 stl
Kleiza provided a huge spark off the bench and took over as the Raps' main offensive option after Bargnani left the game in the first OT.


POUND THE ROCK STAR #2: ANDREA BARGNANI
LINE: 25 pts, 5 rebs, 4 ast, 1 blk
Andrea didn't shoot well but once again wanted the ball down the stretch. In his second game back, he hit some big shots in the Raptor's fourth quarter rally. Unfortunately, he reagravated his strained left calf and missed much of the second OT. He will be re-evaluated tomorrow (cross fingers now, Raps fans).


POUND THE ROCK STAR #3: JOSE CALDERON
LINE: 12 pts, 7 ast, 4 rebs
Calderon didn't have the best night defensively and shot only 5-13. However, he controlled the tempo of the game, distributed the ball well without turning it over, hit the big 3 that forced OT and a big shot-clock-beating 30-foot 3 pointer that put the Raps up by 6 with 1:26 left to go in 2OT.

A FEW MORE KEY PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:
- After another slow start, Dwane Casey implemented a zone defense which helped the Raptors slow the game down and enabling them to gain their legs on the second of back to back road games.
- James Johnson was once again huge for the Raptors on the defensive end, racking up a career-high 6 blocks.
- DeMar DeRozan and Leandro Barbosa's contributions cannot be overlooked, as they combined for 30 points on 12-21 shooting. 


Next up for the Raps: @ DEN

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