Raptors down Rockets

TORONTO SNAPS HOUSTON’S WINNING STREAK

Kyle Lowry had 30 points as the Toronto Raptors snapped the Houston Rockets’ 17-game win streak with a 108-105 victory on Friday at Air Canada Centre.

Lowry went 7 for 9 from three-point range and had six assists while DeMar DeRozan added 23 points and seven rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Eric Gordon hit a three-pointer with 7.9 seconds remaining pulling Houston to within one, 106-105, but Valanciunas responded by draining a pair of free throws as the Raptors hung on for the win.

The victory stretches Toronto’s win streak to seven games. The Raptors (48-17) have won 14of-15 and now have a 2.5 game lead over the idle Boston Celtics atop the Eastern Conference standings.

James Harden had a game-high 40 points, four assists and two rebounds for the Rockets (5114). Chris Paul and Gordon each added 14 points.

Houston outscored the Raptors 32-25 in the third quarter, cutting Toronto’s lead to 83-75.

Harden led the way with 14 third-quarter points while going 2 for 3 from beyond the arc. Gordon added six points off the bench as Houston shot 61 per cent from the field in the quarter.

Lowry had 16 points and DeRozan 14 as Toronto took a 58-43 lead into the break. The duo combined to go 6 for 9 from three-point range in the half. Malcolm Miller added seven first-half points in six minutes of action off the bench for Toronto.