Denver Nuggets Suffer Second-Straight Loss At The Hands Of The Toronto Raptors, 100-90

Jan 31, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Randy Foye (4) during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets (22-23) suffered their second-straight loss Friday night as the Toronto Raptors came away with the victory, 100-90. Denver would receive news during the game that back-up point guard Nate Robinson would undergo season-ending knee surgery on his left ACL. The Raptors would use a team effort to take down the Nuggets led by guard Terrance Ross who scored 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Ross would also record a double-double as he collected 13 rebounds and 4 assists.

The Nuggets were also without point guard Ty Lawson who sat out his second-straight game with a shoulder injury. Evan Fournier would slide up into Ty’s spot and did a good job controlling the offense. Fournier finished the game with 18 points on 7-of-20 from the field collecting 6 rebounds. Randy Foye would assume Lawson’s facilitator duties as the guard recorded 16 assists to go along with 10 points and 2 steals.

Without Nate Robinson in the line-up, Denver’s bench struggled to find an identity. Quincy Miller would lead the bench in scoring as the 2nd-year player collected 10 points on 3-of-7 shooting, including 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. Timofey Mozgov put together a solid effort shooting 3-of-5 from the field with 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Despite Denver outscoring Toronto in the paint 50-to-38, the Raptors made up for it at the line going a near perfect 18-of-20, 90.0% percent. DeMar DeRozan was a key part of the free-throw success as the all-star shooting guard scored a game-high 19 points on 6-of-17 shooting, including 7-of-8 from the charity stripe.

The Denver Nuggets (22-23) return to action Monday night as they host the Los Angeles Clippers at the Pepsi Center. Tip-Off is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM MT.