DeMar DeRozan had a chance to be legen ‑-- wait for it --- dary. Because of Toronto Raptors teammate Kyle Lowry, DeRozan will have to wait for it.
DeRozan had set the regular-season record for consecutive free throws made with 24 during the Raptors' game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night, according to Complex.com. He was fouled with 0.9 seconds left in the game and Toronto clinging to a 116-115 lead.
Lakers Have Identified Kobe Bryant's Successor For 2016-17 In DeMar DeRozan
His 24th, surpassing Dominque Wilkins' record of 23 straight set in 1992, gave Toronto a 117-115 lead. One more would have given him the all-time record, topping the mark the Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki set during the 2011 playoffs.
That's when Lowry, the Raptors' meddling but strategy-conscious point guard intervened.
Spurs Bigger Threat Than Steve Kerr To Warriors' Record-Breaking Season For Wins
DeRozan says Lowry told him to miss FT. Neither was aware of record. DeRozan jokes he'll get it again.— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) March 5, 2016
Without a chance to advance the ball, the Trail Blazers' Leonard Meyers was forced to heave an 81-foot shot toward the opposite basket that wasn't close, preserving the victory for Toronto, which kept them within two games of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the best record in the Eastern Conference.
But it cost DeRozan a chance to become the first NBA player ever to hit 25 consecutive free throws in a single game without a miss.
He'll have to settle for becoming the first player to take 25 free throws and make 96 percent of them since Michael Jordan in 1987, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, via ESPN.
"I was just taking what they were giving me, honestly," DeRozan said, according to ESPN. "I wasn't trying to force anything. Every time I saw an angle I was trying to take advantage of it."
DeRozan, who finished with 38 points against the Raptors and is averaging 23.5 points per game on the season, can opt out of his contract with the Raptors this summer and is expected to command a max contract with multiple teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN.
For more content, follow us on Twitter @SportsWN or LIKE US on Facebook
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
