The Raptors defeated the Rockets 107-104 for their second straight victory behind Immanuel Quickley’s 25 points.
In the second half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, February 9, 2024, in Toronto, guard Immanuel Quickley (5) of the Toronto Raptors drives around guard Jalen Green (4) of the Houston Rockets. (Frank Gunn via AP; The Canadian Press)
Fred VanVleet, a former Toronto Raptor and guard for the Houston Rockets, thanks the audience prior to an NBA basketball game on Friday, February 9, 2024, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn via AP; The Canadian Press)
In the opening half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, February 9, 2024, in Toronto, Houston Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate, front, struggles for the ball with Toronto Raptors forward Bruce Brown, left, and guard Immanuel Quickley. (Frank Gunn via AP; The Canadian Press)
On Friday, February 9, 2024, in Toronto, during the first half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, referee Courtney Kirkland and Toronto Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic exchanged words. (Frank Gunn via AP; The Canadian Press)
During the first half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, February 9, 2024, in Toronto, Houston Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate struggles for the ball with Toronto Raptors forward Bruce Brown, left, and guard Immanuel Quickley, right. (Frank Gunn via AP; The Canadian Press)
Ahead of him, Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl gets a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, February 9, 2024, in Toronto, while Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. looks on. (Frank Gunn via AP; The Canadian Press)
On Friday, February 9, 2024, in Toronto, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore (7) defends the ball from Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19). (Frank Gunn via AP; The Canadian Press)
Friday, February 9, 2024, in Toronto, is NBA basketball night. Houston Rockets big Amen Thompson, left, tries to get past Toronto Raptors guard Gradey Dick (1) during the first half of the game. (Frank Gunn via AP; The Canadian Press)
In the opening frame of an NBA basketball game on Friday, February 9, 2024, in Toronto, guard Aaron Holiday (0) of the Houston Rockets drives past forward Jordan Nwora (13) of the Toronto Raptors. (Frank Gunn via AP; The Canadian Press)
In the opening half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, February 9, 2024, in Toronto, Houston Rockets forward Jeff Green (32) shoots between Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett (9) and center Jakob Poeltl (19). (Frank Gunn via AP; The Canadian Press)
In the second half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, February 9, 2024, in Toronto, Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) defends the ball against Houston Rockets forward Jeff Green (32). (Frank Gunn via AP; The Canadian Press)
In the second half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, February 9, 2024, in Toronto, forward Jeff Green (32) of the Houston Rockets blocks a shot from forward Bruce Brown (11) of the Toronto Raptors. (Frank Gunn via AP; The Canadian Press)
In the second half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, February 9, 2024, in Toronto, forward Jeff Green (32) of the Houston Rockets blocks a shot from forward Bruce Brown (11) of the Toronto Raptors. (Frank Gunn via AP; The Canadian Press)
On Friday, February 9, 2024, in Toronto, during the first half of the Houston Rockets’ NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors, forward Cam Whitmore (7) stumbles. (Frank Gunn via AP; The Canadian Press)
On Friday, February 9, 2024, in Toronto, Ochai Agbaji, left, and Kelly Olynyk, the new Raptors players, celebrated after the Raptors upset the Houston Rockets in an NBA basketball game. (Frank Gunn via AP; The Canadian Press)
RJ Barrett (9) of the Toronto Raptors converses with teammates Chris Boucher and Kelly Olynyk (left) during a first-half break during their NBA basketball game on Friday, February 9, 2024, in Toronto against the Houston Rockets. (Frank Gunn via AP; The Canadian Press)
TORONTO (AP) — With 25 points from Immanuel Quickley and 21 from RJ Barrett, the Toronto Raptors defeated Houston 107-104 on Friday night, their fourth consecutive victory at home against the Rockets.
The Raptors won their second straight game after dropping their previous eight. Jakob Poeltl led the way with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Scottie Barnes chipped in with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Toronto, who defeated Charlotte on Wednesday, hadn’t triumphed in back-to-back games since defeating Cleveland on January 1 and Memphis on January 3.
Despite missing a triple-double by a hair, Barnes finished with eight of Toronto’s 24 assists on 4 for 16.
I felt he made an incredible play tonight, said Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic.He was getting to know his teammates.
The largest lead was 22 points, but in the last 30 seconds of the fourth quarter, Dillon Brooks’ 3-pointer allowed Houston to narrow the gap to one, 105-104. Barrett made two free throws in response.
Aaron Holiday of Houston missed a three-point shot with five seconds remaining that would have knotted the game. After the Rockets regained possession of the ball, seasoned forward Jeff Green missed the go-ahead attempt.
Green stated, “We placed ourselves in a good position.” “Not every shot falls. Some do.” You are stuck with the outcome.
For the Rockets, Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Brooks scored 11 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter.
Cam Whitmore scored 17 points before exiting due of a sprained right ankle as Houston lost its fourth straight on the road. 5-19 miles separate Houston from home.
After defeating Toronto at home on February 2, the Rockets have now dropped three in a row.
Ime Udoka, the coach of Houston, stated, We just played this squad a week ago and didn’t have a whole lot of carryover.
Due to a strained left adductor, former Raptors guard Fred VanVleet missed his second straight game and the opportunity to play in the city where he began his career and won an NBA championship in 2019.
VanVleet probably won’t make a comeback until closer to the All-Star break, according to Udoka’s earlier this week comments.
During the first timeout of the game, the Raptors honored VanVleet with a video tribute, and the fans stood up. VanVleet entered the court and raised his hands in appreciation.
Ochai Agbaji and Kelly Olynyk, who were acquired from Utah on Thursday, were active but did not play for Toronto.
After eight Houston mistakes in the first quarter, the Raptors scored 10 points and took a 34-20 lead at the halfway point.
Brooks stated, We have to bring that intensity from the beginning. I was one of our starters, and we started out a little slowly. Such kinds of holes are impossible for us to dig ourselves.
In the second quarter, Whitmore scored 15 points as the Rockets went on a 19-2 run to take their first lead of the game. Toronto came back to lead 61-49 at the half and 88-71 heading into the fourth quarter.
