Kyle Lowry says he was 'pushed' by fan in Raptors' win over Cavs
Toronto point guard breaks record for all-star appearances with franchise
Toronto's ninth straight win didn't come easily.
The Raptors nearly let a big lead slip away in the fourth quarter before holding on to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-109 on Thursday night.
Serge Ibaka scored 26 points, Kyle Lowry had 23 and Norman Powell made big plays down the stretch after Cleveland cut a 14-point deficit to 105-104.
Powell came through with eight consecutive points in the final minute, hitting a 3-pointer, scoring on a layup after making a steal and sinking three foul shots to seal the win.
"That was anybody's game from start to finish, to be honest," Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. "You've just got to grind it out and find a way."
WATCH | Lowry's 23 help Raptors edge Cavaliers:
Powell's late-game flurry helped the Raptors stifle a comeback bid by the Cavaliers, who trailed 90-76 early in the fourth quarter.
Cleveland trimmed its deficit to one on three occasions and had a chance to tie the game, but Darius Garland missed the second of two free throws with 1:18 to play, leaving Toronto's lead at 105-104.
Lowry was selected as a reserve on the Eastern Conference All-Star team Thursday, the sixth time he'll appear in the game. Pascal Siakam, named an All-Star starter last week, scored 19 points and Powell had 16.
With his selection, Lowry broke the previous franchise record of five all-star appearances shared by Vince Carter and Chris Bosh.
The 33-year-old is averaging 19.8 points, 7.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds this season for Toronto, currently second in the East with a 34-14 record.
The Raptors held a postgame celebration to honour Lowry's selection.
"It was cool, man, because I wouldn't be here without my teammates," he said. "Those guys literally let me lead them and I love them for it. Being there with P [Siakam], it's going to be awesome."
Lowry says he was pushed by fan
Lowry said he was pushed by fan when he dove into the stands for a loose ball in the fourth quarter. Video showed Lowry landed on two fans and one appeared to press his hand on the guard's back as he returned to the floor.
Lowry, who turned and looked at the fan as play continued, was pushed by a minority owner of the Goldden State Warriors in last season's NBA Finals when he dove into the stands under similar circumstances.
"I got pushed, and that's the second time it's happened to me," Lowry said. "The next time it happens, I don't know if I'll be able to control myself. Fans like that shouldn't be able to lay any hands on you and shouldn't be a part of our game."
This time, Lowry saved the possession for the Raptors and Serge Ibaka hit a three-pointer that gave Toronto a 105-101 lead. Lowry, selected to next month's all-star game earlier in the day, went up court on defence after the basket.
WATCH | Lowry shoved by fan in 4th quarter:
The Raptors are 34-14 despite losing Kawhi Leonard from last season's NBA championship team. Toronto trails only Milwuakee in the Eastern Conference.
"It wasn't just a tremendous player like Kawhi," Cavaliers coach John Beilein said. "They have a lot of the pieces that you need to win at the level they've been winning at."
Ibaka started in place of Marc Gasol, who is out indefinitely after re-injuring his left hamstring Tuesday against Atlanta.
All-star rosters
Joining Lowry as East reserves are Miami's Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, Philadelphia's Ben Simmons, Boston's Jayson Tatum, Milwaukee's Khris Middleton and Indiana's Domantas Sabonis.
Boston's Kemba Walker, Atlanta's Trae Young, Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo and Philadelphia's Joel Embiid were voted in as starters earlier alongside Siakam.
In the West, all-star reserves included Utah's Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, Portland's Damian Lillard, Houston's Russell Westbrook, Denver's Nikola Jokic, Oklahoma City's Chris Paul and New Orleans' Brandon Ingram.
The Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James and Anthony Davis were joined by the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard, as well as Houston's James Harden and Dallas' Luka Doncic as starters.
Antetokounmpo and James will draft their respective teams for the game next Thursday.
Raptors head coach Nick Nurse could also be making the trip to Chicago, if the team remains second in the conference through Sunday.
All-star coaching staffs are typically determined by the conference leader, but East-leading Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer is ineligible having fulfilled the role last season.
With files from CBC Sports