Anunoby, VanVleet power Raptors past Wizards

O.G. Anunoby scored a game-high 29 points, Fred VanVleet added 28 and the Toronto Raptors pulled out a 114-104 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

TORONTO – O.G. Anunoby scored a game-high 29 points, Fred VanVleet added 28 and the Toronto Raptors pulled out a 114-104 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

Anunoby scored 18 of his points in the first quarter, setting a new career-high for points in a single frame.

Pascal Siakam had 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Jakob Poeltl contributed a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double for Toronto (37-38). The Raptors took the season series 2-1 with the victory and have won five of their last seven games.

The win also allowed the Raptors to hold on to ninth spot in the Eastern Conference with Chicago being one-half game behind after beating the Los Angeles Lakers 118-108 earlier Sunday.

Kristaps Porzingis led the way with 26 points for Washington (33-42), which was missing starters Bradley Beal, Monte Morris and Kyle Kuzma due to injury.

The Wizards have lost five of their last six and sit 3 1/2 games back of Chicago for the 10th seed — and final play-in spot — in the East.

Anunoby started out hot, scoring 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the opening six minutes, and the Raptors took a quick 20-9 edge in the first quarter. But it was Scottie Barnes who made his presence felt early with a steal, followed by a crowd-pleasing 360 dunk.

VanVleet swiftly countered a 7-0 Wizards run later in the frame as part of a 9-0 Toronto run. VanVleet scored three of his 11 first-quarter points from long-range with 4.1 seconds left and the Raptors took a 37-21 advantage entering the second.