TORONTO (AP) — Raptors forward Rudy Gay was held out of Sunday’s game against Cleveland with a staff back, while center Andrea Bargnani was scratched with a strained right elbow.
Rookie Terrence Ross made his first NBA start in place of Gay, who’s averaging 17.9 points and 6.1 rebounds. Amir Johnson started for Bargnani, who left injured in the first quarter of Friday’s overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Gay, acquired from Memphis on Jan. 30, also missed a March 2 loss at Milwaukee with back spasms. He went 0 for 8 from the field in the fourth quarter in overtime of Friday’s loss, including a missed jumper on the final play that could have tied the game. The loss was Toronto’s sixth in seven games.
