NBA: Aldridge spurs San Antonio past Raptors

San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) drives against Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

LOS ANGELES—LaMarcus Aldridge scored 21 points as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Toronto Raptors 108-106 on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila) to stay on the heels of the Golden State Warriors at the top of the Western Conference.

Aldridge, who also grabbed seven rebounds and two assists, led the scoring as the Spurs notched their fifth win on the trot to improve to 36-9, two games behind the Warriors (38-7).

Toronto’s defeat was their fourth straight loss however, and their challenge was hampered by the absence of DeMar DeRozan, who sprained an ankle at the weekend.

The Spurs, who sat Kawhi Leonard, had surged into a 13-point lead at one stage in the first half but Toronto drew level in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter at the Air Canada Centre.

Dejounte Murray gave San Antonio a two-point lead with a jump shot before Toronto’s Terrence Ross missed a 25-foot effort with 1:17 to play.

The Raptors meanwhile were unable to punish a Spurs turnover with 45 seconds left before Aldridge scored two key free throws to help get San Antonio over the line.

Patty Mills was the other main scorer for San Antonio with 18 points while Dave Bertans (12) and David Lee (11) also made key contributions.

Kyle Lowry topped Toronto’s scoring with 30 points while Ross added 21 points off the bench.