DeMar DeRozan Breaks Raptors Franchise Record with 52 Points

Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan became the first player in NBA history to score at least 50 points on New Year's Day and set a franchise record with 52 points in Monday's 131-127 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

DeRozan eclipsed marks set by Terrence Ross (2014) and Vince Carter (2000), making 17 of his 29 field goals to lead the way in the overtime thriller. It's the second time in two weeks that DeRozan has set a career high in points. He scored 45 in a Dec. 21 game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

"I remember being a kid and wishing to be in moments like that," DeRozan said after the game, per the Associated Press (h/t USA Today). "When you come out here and you're in those moments, you've got to make the best out of them."

DeRozan had 21 of the Raptors' 35 points in the first quarter and added another 17 in the fourth quarter and overtime. Not noted for his three-point acumen, DeRozan knocked down five shots from distance to continue a relative hot streak. He's knocked down multiple threes in five of his last seven games after doing so only seven times in their first 28 contests.

His 20 threes in this span represent more than half of his season total (37).

"He's dangerous any time he puts on a uniform," Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. "Now to be able to expand his range out to the three-point line just makes the game easier for him."

The Raptors are 18-2 this season in games where DeRozan scores 25 or more points.