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TORONTO, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Toronto Raptors All-Star guard Kyle Lowry hit a go-ahead jumper with 4.3 seconds remaining in overtime to power past New Orleans Pelicans 108-106 on Tuesday night's NBA game.
Lowry finished with a game-high 33 points, 10 assists, six three-point baskets in 45 minutes of action.
The win was not always in sight as Raptors trailed 60-46 after the first half.
"We really needed it. It wasn't beautiful or pretty, but I thought in the second half we took the challenge," said Raptors head coach Dwane Casey following the game. "I was really proud of the way our guys competed, fought and scrapped in the second half."
The team used a 25-7 run at the start of the third quarter to erase the 14-point deficit. Lowry scored 26 of his 33 points in the second half and overtime.
"It was like a funeral in here. We were all down and out of it," Lowry described the energy level in the locker room during the break. To finish the game with a win is a very good thing," he said.
Raptors were missing All-Star and leading scorer DeMar DeRozan, who has missed four of the last five games due to a right ankle injury.
"It's my job. My teammates count on me. My coaches count on me," Lowry commented on carrying the load in DeRozan's absence. "It's what I do. I get paid to play basketball for a living. I can take the pressure and handle it. I enjoy it," he added.
Over the past five games, Lowry has led the team in scoring in each game. He is averaging a league-best 40.7 minutes per game, 31.4 points (fourth highest during this period) on 48.5 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Despite the win, Casey views the season and playoffs as a marathon race.
"I'm looking at the mistakes we made tonight and looking trying to build on them. I don't get too happy after wins or down after losses because it's a journey. I don't get a sense of relief after anything," said Casey.
The team will travel for a three-game road trip beginning tomorrow in Boston.
