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0 In a thrilling encounter on Friday night, the Toronto Raptors secured their second consecutive victory by defeating the Houston Rockets 107-104. Immanuel Quickley was the star of the show for the Raptors, scoring an impressive 25 points, while RJ Barrett also put in a strong performance, contributing 21 points to the cause.
The Raptors began the game in fine form and were able to establish a 14-point lead after the first quarter, thanks in part to some excellent play from Jakob Poeltl and Scottie Barnes, who both finished the game with double-doubles to their credit. Barnes, in particular, impressed with his playmaking ability, racking up eight assists throughout the game.
Barrett also put in an impressive all-around performance, contributing seven assists to go along with his 21 points. Despite the Raptors holding a 22-point lead at one stage in the game, the Rockets refused to go down without a fight and staged a comeback in the fourth quarter, led by Dillon Brooks, who scored 11 of his 20 points in the final period.
With just 30 seconds left on the clock, Brooks hit a three-pointer to bring the Rockets to within one point of the Raptors, but Barrett responded quickly with a pair of clutch free throws to extend the lead. Aaron Holiday had a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer in the dying seconds, but his shot missed the mark, and Jeff Green was unable to convert the rebound, allowing the Raptors to hold on for the win.
The victory was especially sweet for the Raptors, who had not won back-to-back games since the start of the year. It was also a fitting occasion to pay tribute to former Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, who was unable to play due to injury but was honored with a video tribute during the game’s first timeout. VanVleet won an NBA championship with the Raptors in 2019 and spent the first seven years of his career in Toronto.
The Rockets will be disappointed with the result, having lost their fourth consecutive game on the road. Cam Whitmore was a bright spot for the Rockets, scoring 17 points before leaving the game due to injury. Jabari Smith Jr. also put in a solid performance, finishing the game with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Rockets will be looking to bounce back in their next game, having lost three in a row.
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