NBA: Lowry lifts Raptors to 10th straight win at home

Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors runs the clock down before driving for his eventual game winning basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during an NBA game at the Air Canada Centre on February 26, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Raptors defeated the Cavaliers 99-97. NOTE TO USER: user expressly acknowleges and agrees by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photoby Claus Andersen/Getty Images/AFP

Kyle Lowry nailed a clutch game-winning jumper en route to a career high 43 points as the Toronto Raptors edged Cleveland 99-97 in a showdown between the two top teams in the Eastern Conference.

Lowry drained a long range shot from just inside the three-point line with 3.8 seconds left as the Raptors moved to within two NBA games of the first place Cavaliers.

“I just wanted to attack and stay aggressive,” Lowry said. “We came in here focused on defense. We held a good team to under 100 points and got the win.”

Lowry’s shot over outstretched Cavaliers’ defender Matthew Dellavedova was the first NBA game winner of his career and it came in front of a home crowd of 19,800 at the Air Canada Centre arena on Friday.

“Kyle had a hell of a game,” Cavaliers forward Kevin Love said of Lowry, who also had nine assists. “He just did all the right things when they needed him to.”

The win allowed the Raptors to breathe new life into the standings battle and it marked their franchise record 10th consecutive win at home in a single season.

Toronto tied the game on a hook shot by Lowry with 51 seconds remaining. Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith missed a three-point attempt with 26 seconds left and the Raptors had the ball. Lowry hit a pull-up jumper with 3.8 seconds to play.

Cleveland had a chance to win at the buzzer, but LeBron James’ three-point attempt sailed harmlessly by the basket.

“I had a good look. That’s not why we lost the game,” said James, who finished with 25 points. “We had mental mistake after mental mistake.”

The Raptors (39-19) also took the season series 2-1.