Anunoby leads Raptors to comeback win over Miami

Kyle Lowry said he both loves and hates playing against former Toronto Raptors teammate Fred VanVleet.

TORONTO – Kyle Lowry said he both loves and hates playing against former Toronto Raptors teammate Fred VanVleet.

Wednesday, it was more hate than love.

Still feeling the effects of what he called a bad cold, VanVleet had 23 points and eight assists, while O.G. Anunoby scored a season-high 32 points and hauled down 10 rebounds, and the Raptors spoiled Lowry’s return to Toronto with a 112-104 win over the Miami Heat.

“(VanVleet) is one of the most competitive players ever, from Day 1 in training camp, picking me up full court,” Lowry said. “He’s a guy that his career, his path is going to be a story, and is going to continue to be one of the greatest stories in NBA history, because he’s going to continue to get better.”

Scottie Barnes finished with 19 points for the Raptors (9-7), who snapped Miami’s three-game winning streak on the way to their fourth consecutive win at Scotiabank Arena. Chris Boucher had 15 points, and Thaddeus Young chipped in with 12 points and eight boards.

Max Strus led the Heat (7-8) with 20 points, while Lowry had 19 points in his second game in Toronto since he was traded to Miami in the 2021 off-season.

VanVleet returned after missing a pair of games with a non-COVID illness.

“I still feel like s—,” VanVleet said. “You know when you’re sick and you wake up, you feel better the day before, you think you’re ready to go? Took all about three minutes (Wednesday) before I realized I wasn’t 100 per cent yet.”