Basketball: Defending champions Raptors beat Blazers 110-104

The Toronto Raptors defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 110-104, in a scrimmage in Orlando on Thursday. Blazers took the lead at the end of first quarter when their star shooting guard CJ McCollum netted a three-pointer to make it 26-25. Raptors, the defending NBA title holders, then shifted gears and recorded a game-high 15 points lead at the end of the third quarter to lead by ten points, 77-67. Serge Ibaka led Toronto with 19 points and six boards. Pascal Siakam generated 18 points and six rebounds. Kyle Lowry provided 13 points, six rebounds and four assists. Matt Thomas led the bench with 16 points and two rebounds The Trail Blazers were led by Jusuf Nurkic, who tallied 17 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. Carmelo Anthony totaled 14 points, five rebounds and two assists. C.J. McCollum finished with 21 points, two rebounds, five assists and two steals. Both teams will play their final scrimmage game on Tuesday, with Toronto facing the Phoenix Suns and Portland playing the Oklahoma City Thunder.