NBA Game Summary - Toronto at Atlanta

Atlanta, GA (Basketball News) - Charlie Villanueva’s basket with 2.5 seconds remaining broke a late tie and the Toronto Raptors went on to defeat the Atlanta Hawks, 102-101, at Philips Arena in a battle between the two worst teams in the league.

Villanueva ended with 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who snapped a six-game losing streak and earned just their second win in 17 games this season.

Chris Bosh scored a team-high 23 points and had nine rebounds for Toronto, which also earned its first road win of the campaign. Jalen Rose and Morris Peterson had 15 points apiece as the Raptors earned their first win since November 20.

Joe Johnson had a career-high 34 points, 10 assists and six rebounds for Atlanta, which has dropped four in a row and suffered its 13th setback in 15 contests this year. Johnson, however, stepped out of bounds with 1.4 ticks on the clock and his team down two points as the Hawks continue to struggle this season.

After Al Harrington’s missed jumper with 17.8 left, Villanueva pulled down the board and the Raptors called a time out with the game tied at 98-98. Coming out of the time out, Villanueva set a pick for Jose Calderon, who then dished the ball to the rookie as he streak down the lane unguarded. Villanueva easily made his runner and the Hawks called a time out.

Inbounding the ball on the offensive end of the court, Johnson came off a baseline screen, received the pass and then stepped on the out-of-bounds line on the sideline to give the ball back to Toronto.

Peterson was immediately fouled and made both from the line to make it a four- point game. Following an Atlanta time out, Salim Stoudamire drained a three as time expired to account for the final score.

Calderon ended with 10 points and six assists for the Raptors, who shot 48.8 percent for the game. Mike James added 13 points and seven assists.

Toronto built a lead in the first quarter, taking a 20-13 edge with 4 1/2 minutes remaining after an 11-4 run. The Raptors later increased the cushion to 10 points on a Peterson bucket, 27-17, and went into the second with an 11- point advantage, 34-23, courtesy of a James three-pointer in the final seconds.

In the second, Atlanta rallied to draw within 45-42 on a Harrington bucket with 2 1/2 minutes left, but Toronto closed the half by scoring nine of the final 12 points to increase the lead to 54-45 at the break.

Five minutes into the third quarter, Josh Smith capped a 14-5 surge that allowed the Hawks to tie the game at 59-59. However, with the game still tied, this time at 61-61, Toronto went on a 12-2 run to extend its lead back to double-digits, 73-63, with 1 1/2 minutes remaining until the fourth.

Toronto went into the final stanza with a 77-67 advantage and increased the advantage to 79-67 on a Villanueva basket in the early stages before the Hawks came storming back.

Harrington finished with 24 points and nine boards for the Hawks, who hit 55 percent of their shots from the floor.