TORONTO (AP) – Kawhi Leonard isn’t quite back up to speed after missing most of last season.
That’s just fine with the Toronto Raptors. They are plenty happy with the way Leonard is playing right now.
Leonard had 31 points and 10 rebounds, Serge Ibaka added 21 points and the Raptors beat the Boston Celtics 113-101 on Friday night in an early matchup of Eastern Conference contenders.
Leonard, who was limited to nine games last season with San Antonio mostly because of a quadriceps injury, posted his second straight double-double and played 36 minutes, one fewer than he had Wednesday night a season-opening win over Cleveland.
“I’m not looking to get back to where I was before,” Leonard said. “I’m worried about the now and the player I’m trying to become now and tomorrow.”
Leonard made 10 of 25 attempts, including 2 of 5 from 3-point range, and went 9 for 9 at the free throw line.
“No matter who Kawhi was against, Kawhi was doing well,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said.
Leonard scored 15 of his points in an explosive third quarter, making 5 of 7 from the floor and 5 of 5 at the free throw line.
“Tonight he played extremely hard,” Kyle Lowry said. “He really was aggressive. That’s the kind of thing we’re gonna need for the whole season.”
Lowry scored 15 points, Danny Green had 14, and Fred VanVleet 11 to help the Raptors win for the 11th time in 12 home meetings with the Celtics, including the past seven in a row.
