Yuta Watanabe of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 26, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. (NBAE/Getty/Kyodo)

       WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- Japan's Yuta Watanabe registered NBA personal-highs of 26 points and 13 rebounds on Sunday in his first start of the season as the Toronto Raptors lost 144-99 to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

       The 27-year-old played 37 minutes and picked up his second double-double in the NBA, two weeks after his first when he scored 12 points and picked up 10 rebounds against the Sacramento Kings.

       The defeat leaves the Raptors with a 14-16 record this season.

       His Japan teammate Rui Hachimura made the bench but did not take to the court as the Washington Wizards lost 117-96 against the Philadelphia 76ers.

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