DeRozan notches 2nd straight 40-point game in comeback win over Heat

Once again, DeMar DeRozan provided the Toronto Raptors an offensive boost when they needed it most.

With Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka out of the lineup, the All-Star shooting guard shouldered the scoring load Thursday, dropping 40 points in Toronto's 101-84 victory over the Miami Heat. It's the second straight 40-point performance for DeRozan, who also chipped in six rebounds, three assists, and a steal.

After watching his Raptors surrender an early 33-18 lead, the eighth-year veteran took over, scoring 10 points during one four-minute stretch to cut the lead to two heading into halftime. He continued to dominate over the last two quarters, dropping 10 points in the third and six in the final frame.

Even with his starting backcourt mate out with a wrist injury, DeRozan has found a way to score efficiently for Toronto, averaging 27.5 points in his last six contests while shooting 50 percent over his last 122 shots attempts.

After holding a players-only meeting last week, DeRozan and the Raptors have responded with some of their best basketball of the season, winning their last four contests to bring them half a game back of the No. 3 seed in the East.