Raptors' DeMar DeRozan: Scores 27 in win

DeRozan scored 27 points (7-20 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 12-13 FT) and added eight rebounds and five assists in 37 minutes during Thursday's 124-110 win over the Timberwolves.

Analysis:

After a scorching hot start to the season, DeRozan had cooled off recently. During an eight game stretch that ended Saturday, DeRozan never scored 30 points, and averaged 20.3 points. Compared to his first 12 games, where he averaged 33.0 points per game, that was a dramatic decline. While he has not returned to that incredible early pace, his last two games have shown improvement, scoring 31 and then 27 points. It is also worth noting that, through his scoring fluctuations, his production in rebounds and steals have remained effectively unchanged. Further, while his scoring was down, his assist numbers improved slightly.