Bargnani returns with S&D effort in Raptors’ victory

Andrea Bargnani made the most of his return to the lineup Tuesday night.

It helped the Toronto Raptors bust several streaks along the way.

Bargnani scored 27 of his game-high 36 points in the second half to help the Raptors snap an eight-game losing streak with a 99-96 victory over Phoenix.

It was his first game back after missing the Raptors’ last six games with a left calf strain.

That return helped explain a slow start that turned around when he erupted for 18 points in the third quarter.

“I didn’t do anything different from the first quarter because I was pretty aggressive in the first quarter too, I just didn’t score,” Bargnani told the Associated Press. “Jose (Calderon) told me to shoot from the outside because I was just driving the ball and everybody was waiting for me. They found me open and they went in. It was all good.”

It certainly was for the Raptors, who claimed their first victory over the Suns in eight years.

And it was for Bargnani, who hit all 12 foul shots included two critical ones with 22.9 seconds left to seal the victory.

“Andrea coming back makes everything easier for everbody else,” Toronto coach Dwane Casey told  the AP. “He is kind of the hub for everybody to play off of.”

STUDS

Toronto F Andrea Bargnani: Returned to the lineup for the first time in two weeks with 36 points and six rebounds and was plus-1 in the Raptors’ victory over  the Suns. It helped snap Toronto’s eight-game losing streak.

Miami F Chris Bosh: Scored 35 points and grabbed seven rebounds and was plus-5 in the Heat’s victory over the Cavaliers.

Orlando F Ryan Anderson: Went for 24 points, including five 3-pointers, grabbed eight rebounds and was plus-11 in the Magic’s victory at Indiana.

New York C Tyson Chandler: Notched 20 points and 17 rebounds in only 29 minutes and was plus-13 in the Knicks’ victory at the Bobcats.

Portland C Marcus Camby: Scored only three points, but was a force inside with 22 rebounds, five blocked shots and was a game-best plus-29 in the Trail Blazers’ victory over the Grizzlies.

DUDS

New York F Carmelo Anthony: Produced a career-low one point in 30 minutes on 0-for-7 shooting in the Knicks’ victory over the Bobcats.

Miami F LeBron James: Didn’t get up for his old teammates as much as usual as he was 8 for 21 from the field with five turnovers in the Heat’s victory over  the Cavaliers.

Charlotte G Kemba Walker: Went 7 for 17 from the field with four turnovers and was minus-23 in the Bobcats’ loss to the Knicks. 

Indiana C Roy Hibbert: His recent broken nose must have affected his shooting form as he clanked through a 5-for-16 effort with two turnovers and was minus-19 in the Pacers’ loss to the Magic.

Charlotte F Tyrus Thomas: Went 1 for 9 from the field with three turnovers and was minus-16 in the Bobcats’ loss to the Knicks.

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