Wagner leads Cavs past Toronto, 96-83

The 19-year-old scored a career-high 33 points, 14 during a third quarter rally.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Dajuan Wagner did exactly what Cleveland coach John Lucas wanted.
The 19-year-old Wagner responded to a motivational talk from Lucas and scored a career-high 33 points to lead the Cavaliers past the injury-riddled Toronto Raptors 96-83 Wednesday night.
"I took what coach said as a challenge," Wagner said. "He told me to be more aggressive."
Wagner scored 14 points in the third quarter as the Cavs turned a 46-44 deficit into a 74-67 lead. Cleveland then opened the fourth quarter with an 18-6 run, holding Toronto without a field goal for the first 4 minutes, 3 seconds.
"A win means more than the points," Wagner said. "We need all the wins we can get."
Wagner bounced back from a 1-for-6 shooting performance Monday night to connect on 50 percent of his shots for the first time as a pro, hitting 12-of-24.
"I really ran Juanny because he didn't play very well in the last game," Lucas said. "I'm also demanding more from the defensive end. He came out and played very, very well. I really believe Juanny is going to be a star and I've got to get it out of him."
One year of college ball
Wagner, who played just one year of college basketball at Memphis, led the Cavs in scoring for the fifth time in the last six games. He is averaging 20.1 points since missing the first 14 games with a bladder infection.
"He's going to be a great player in this league one day," said Raptors forward Morris Peterson, who scored 15 points. "He's taking over that team."
Voshon Lenard scored a season-high 24 points to lead Toronto, which lost for the fourth time in five games.
Ricky Davis had 22 points for Cleveland, which is 2-17 since a 2-2 start.
Guard Alvin Williams joined the growing list of injured Raptors. He left 3:45 into the second quarter with a sore left ankle originally hurt Dec. 2 at Dallas and did not return.
Raptors injury list grows
The Raptors already were without six players, including All-Star guard Vince Carter. The Raptors' leading scorer, averaging 19.2 a game, is expected to be sidelined two weeks with a strained right knee.
Toronto's leading rebounder Antonio Davis, along with centers Hakeem Olajuwon, Mamadou N'diaye and Eric Montross and forward Lamond Murray, also were not with the team due to a variety of ailments.
Wagner had no clue the Raptors were ailing.
"I didn't even know [Carter was hurt]," Wagner said. "I just worry about my game and my team and things will take care of themselves. I don't worry about what the other team does."
Guard Lindsey Hunter, who had missed Toronto's previous 11 games with a sore right knee, scored seven points in 24 minutes.
"It's frustrating," Peterson said. "We have so many injured that we have to play mistake-free. One minute you have your teammates and the next you don't."