Raptors deliver fifth biggest comeback in NBA history

Kyle Lowry (Google Images)

According to NBA Hoops Online, the Toronto Raptors delivered the fifth biggest comeback in NBA history on Sunday afternoon at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The Raptors were once down 85-55 in the third quarter, when they came back from a 30 point deficit to beat the Dallas Mavericks 110-107.

The Raptors were also down 86-63 after three quarters before Toronto outscored Dallas 47-21 in the final 12 minutes. According to ESPN, it was only the third time in 1670 NBA games since 2009-10 that  team trailing by 20 points or more heading into the final quarter actually won.

It was a spectacular game for Raptors veteran point guard Kyle Lowry, who led Toronto with 32 points. Three other Raptors had multi-point games as Chris Boucher had 21 points, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 18 points and Fred VanVleet had 10 points. Lowry, also had a double double, as he had 10 assists and Hollis-Jefferson led the Raptors with nine rebounds.

The biggest comeback in NBA history came on November 27, 1996 when the Utah Jazz came back from a 36 point deficit to beat the Denver Nuggets 107-103. Number two on the list came on December 21, 2009 when the Sacramento Kings beat the Chicago Bulls 102-98 after trailing by 35 points.

Two teams have come back from 31 point deficits. The Jazz were down by 31 points against the Bulls on February 4, 1998 before winning 101-93 and the Golden State Warriors were down by 31 points against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 27, 1975 before winning 106-105.

The Raptors win was even more remarkable when you consider the fact they were without Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell and Marc Gasol due to injuries. Winners of five straight, the Raptors trail the Milwaukee Bucks by five games in the Eastern Conference.