Toronto makes it 8 straight with win over Clippers
Toronto Raptors’ DeMar DeRozan drives to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul Pierce during first half NBA basketball action in Toronto on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
TORONTO — Toronto extended its winning streak to a season-high eight straight by beating the Los Angeles Clippers 112-94 on Sunday, creating a bit of franchise history by sweeping both L.A. teams in the same season for the first time.
The Raptors completed a season double over the Clippers — as they also did last year — to add to the earlier sweep of the Lakers.
Elsewhere, Houston used a spurt of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to pull away and beat state and division rival Dallas.
Toronto’s Kyle Lowry scored 21 points and Jonas Valanciunas had 20 for the Raptors while Terrence Ross had five 3-pointers en route to his fourth straight game in double figures off the bench.
The eight-game streak is one short of the team record set in 2001-02.
Chris Paul had 23 points and 11 assists for the Clippers.
Houston’s James Harden had a triple double of 23 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Rockets past Dallas 115-104.
Trevor Ariza scored a season-high 29 for the Rockets, who trailed by one entering the fourth quarter, but hit 4 3-pointers in a 14-4 run to take a 98-89 lead with about nine minutes left.
After a Dallas basket, Houston then added five points to effectively end the contest.
Chandler Parsons had a season-high 31 points for the Mavericks.
Brooklyn’s Brook Lopez scored a season-high 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Nets beat Oklahoma City 116-106, halting the Thunder’s run of wins at seven.
Boston won 112-92 at struggling Philadelphia in a game delayed a day by the wintry weather enveloping the eastern United States.
