Wednesday 2 January 2019 07:17, UK
Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 45 points to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 122-116 victory over the Utah Jazz.
Leonard was at his ultra-efficient best on offense, hitting 16-of-22 shots from the field (72.7 per cent) while also making 13 of his 17 free throws.
It was the 14th straight game in which Leonard has scored at least 20 points, also a career-best landmark.
Leonard started the game in fine shooting form, draining four mid-range jump shots in the opening quarter but he saved his very best for the third quarter, pouring in 19 points as the Raptors turned a 53-51 half-time deficit into a 95-85 advantage at the end of the period.
Leonard unleashed his full offensive arsenal, scoring from the low post and using his hesitation dribble to power to the basket, often absorbing contact to draw three-point plays.
In the fourth quarter, Leonard's baseline drive and reverse lay-up put the Raptors up by nine. He then extinguished the Jazz's final attempt to battle back into the game with a spectacular reverse finish, switching the ball from his right hand to his left in mid-air after driving hard at Utah's 7ft center Rudy Gobert.
Click the video at the top of the page to watch Kawhi's career-best 45-point performance
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