Raptors vs Hawks Final Score: Raps Pummel Hawks 113 - 96

The Toronto Raptors came out blistering this evening against the Atlanta Hawks, jumping out to a 30 to 27 lead after a quarter.

They never looked back.

Up 68 to 51 at the half, the rest was academic as the Dinos kept the proverbial pedal to the metal en route to a 113 to 96 win over the Atliens.

Leading the way for Toronto was the dynamic wing duo of DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay. I say dynamic because tonight they combined for 52 points and on only 31 shots! Add in the fact that the two shot 50 per cent from long-range (6 of 12 combined) and the Hawks simply had no answer for these two.

Or for the rest of Toronto's starters for that matter.

Jonas Valanciunas returned to action just in time for TNT and had 13 points and 8 rebounds, and Kyle Lowry let this wings do all the shooting posting only eight points, but dishing out 11 assists and grabbing five rebounds.

Oh, and Amir Johnson, no big deal...just 11 points, 8 rebounds and SIX BLOCKS.

The Dinos as a team shot over 50 per cent in this one, and the Hawks couldn't crack the 40 per cent barrier, looking like a team that was anxious to start the playoffs, not face this Raptors' squad. Kyle Korver was the high point man with 13 and after that it got sketchy as Ivan Johnson, Mike Scott and Shelvin Mack were the next top guys.

Al Horford didn't play, and Josh Smith played only 13 minutes, so there is some amo here again for the naysayers.

However it's hard to see how those two would have made a huge difference tonight as the Raps were quicker to the ball, did a much better job executing, and at times didn't miss. They had hit two thirds of their shots through three quarters.

That's a wrap from ATL and now back to Toronto the Raptors head to take on Boston tomorrow night, in their final game of the season. For a full breakdown of things from the ATL side, check out Peachtree Hoops!