NBA: Towns strong late as Knicks top Raptors | Loop Jamaica

Karl-Anthony Towns had 24 points, 15 rebounds and six assists in his return from a one-game absence and made several key plays down the stretch, leading the New York Knicks past the Toronto Raptors 113-108 in the NBA on Monday.

Towns made a tie-breaking layup with 36 seconds remaining to give the Knicks the lead, then followed with a dagger 3-pointer with seven seconds left.

After missing Saturday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons with a knee issue, Towns scored or assisted on each of New York’s final five baskets on Monday.

Jalen Brunson converted a key four-point play with just over three minutes remaining and finished with 20 points and 11 assists. Mikal Bridges made five 3-pointers to score 23 points.

OG Anunoby, who played in Toronto for nearly seven seasons, had 14 points and three blocks, including one in the final minute to protect a two-point lead.

RJ Barrett scored 30 points to lead the Raptors against his former team.

Raptors forward Scottie Barnes exited in the third quarter with a sprained right ankle and did not return.

With the NBA Cup quarter-finals set to tip off Tuesday, New York and Toronto were the only teams active on Monday. Both the Knicks and Raptors were eliminated from the NBA Cup in group play.

The Knicks (15-9) improved to 10-3 in their last 13 games, while the Raptors lost their third straight.