Former Toronto Raptors Kyle Lowry And DeMar DeRozan Face Off In Most Important Game Of Season
DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry played together on the Toronto Raptors for six years but now, they go against each other for a chance to make it to the postseason.
DeRozan leads the Chicago Bulls against Lowry and the Miami Heat tonight in the play-in tournament. The winner advances to the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
"It's always fun competing against anybody and anything you have a connection to," DeRozan told NBC Chicago.
In Toronto, they were one of the best duos in the NBA. The Raptors fan favorites were given the nicknames "Mr. Raptor" (Lowry) and Mr. I Am Toronto" (DeRozan), getting standing ovation every time at home games.
The close friends still spend time together during offseason. Playing against each in such a big game is so emotional Lowry declined to speak with reporters Thursday because he knew he would have to answer questions about DeRozan.
"Obviously, the connection I had with Toronto and the connection I have with Kyle is just the beautiful thing about basketball," DeRozan said. "The places that it brings, going out here, fighting for your life against one of your closest friends. It makes for a good story when you're 50 or 60 years old to talk trash."
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Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog HERE.
