NBA scores 2017: DeMar DeRozan made history on Monday

DeRozan’s 52-point night highlighted a calm, four-game NBA slate.

DeMar DeRozan was absolutely unstoppable in the Raptors’ 131-127 overtime win over the Bucks Monday night. He set a new career-high of 52 points, also known as one-point more than Vince Carter’s longstanding (and Terrence Ross’) Raptors’ scoring record.

That’s a fact, and you can read about all his wonderful numbers here.

You can also watch the highlights from his career night below:

Fans began chanting “M-V-P” at DeRozan late in overtime, and his play this year may warrant some consideration. The Raptors’ all-star is averaging about 25 points on 48 percent shooting from the field and a much-improved 33 percent from downtown. He is also averaging a career-high five assists per game in a season where he is facilitating for the Raptors more often than not.

DeRozan’s play has propelled the Raptors to a 25-10 record, five wins behind the Celtics and just a few hairs above the reigning Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers. And if Toronto keeps playing this good all season, their playoff fate could be just a little bit brighter than last season’s second-round sweep at the hand of LeBron James and the Cavs.

DeRozan’s 52-point night dulled the Bucks’ night

Any time a player sets a new team record in scoring, it can be easy to overlook other stat lines. But Giannis Antetokounmpo battled DeRozan’s career night with a monster game of his own.

Antetokounnpo flirted with a triple-double and went off for 26 points (on 9-of-18 shooting), nine rebounds, and seven assists.

Eric Bledsoe had his best game since being traded to Milwaukee, going off for 29 points (on 9-of-15 shooting), seven rebounds, and four steals. And Khris Middleton, Thon Maker, Malcolm Brogdon, and John Henson each scored in double digits, combining for 59 points.

But DeRozan had help from Kyle Lowry (26 points, six rebounds, six assists) with eight other Raptors scoring four or more points. In the end, it came down to overtime, and DeRozan’s Raptors outlasted the Bucks.

Minnesota has won seven of its last eight

The Timberwolves beat the Lakers by 18 on Monday thanks both to Jimmy Butler’s 28 points and nine assists and Andrew Wiggins’ 21 points and nine rebounds.

Minnesota began the season a bit lukewarm but now finds itself 10 games above .500 at 24-14. It’s unclear if the Wolves will be able to sustain this streak with Jeff Teague’s knee injury, but almost 30 games into the season, it appears Minnesota is for real.

No Damian Lillard? No problem

The Trail Blazers may have been short one of their stars, but the other stepped up when his team needed him.

C.J. McCollum went off against the surging Bulls for 32 points (albeit on 36.7 percent shooting) to power Portland to a 124-120 overtime win over Chicago. He scored 13 combined points in the final five minutes of regulation and in OT.

Monday’s NBA scores

Nets 98, Magic 95

Raptors 131, Bucks 127 (OT)

Trail Blazers 124, Bulls 120

Timberwolves 114, Lakers 96