Raptors to rest Kyle Lowry on Saturday against Knicks

At long last, the Toronto Raptors will give overworked point guard Kyle Lowry a day off.

Lowry will not play on Saturday when the Raptors take on the New York Knicks, the team announced.

The Raptors have lost four consecutive games, but they could probably afford to rest their lone All-Star against the lowly Knicks on the second night of a back to back.

Lowry has played 500 more minutes than any other Raptor this season and ranks 10th overall in minutes played this season. With DeMar DeRozan missing for nearly two months due to a groin injury, Lowry has been overextended in a desperate attempt to keep the Raptors rolling.

Of late, the heavy workload has started to seriously hamper Lowry's production. Over his last 27 games, Lowry is averaging just 15.2 points on 36.5 percent shooting from the floor and 27.8 percent shooting from deep. With Lowry having started in the All-Star Game, the Raptors' pivotal point guard has been running on fumes without an opportunity to rest.

Backup point guard Greivis Vasquez will start in Lowry's place.