M.J. causes problems for Houston, Raptors win fifth straight

Chris Bosh contributed 22 points and 16 boards while Morris Peterson added 19 points for the Raptors, who extended their season-high winning streak to five games. Rookie forward Charlie Villanueva posted 21 points in the win.

Tracy McGrady poured in a game-high 37 points and David Wesley chipped in 19 for the Rockets, who had their two-game winning streak snapped. McGrady has scored at least 30 points in five straight games.

Leading by four at halftime, Toronto quickly opened up a 59-49 lead on Peterson’s three-pointer just over three minutes into the third quarter. The Raptors continued the offensive pressure and widened the gap to 15 points on Bosh’s basket moments later, but Houston would not fold.

The Rockets roared back and trimmed the deficit to 69-63 on McGrady’s three- pointer with around three minutes remaining in the period. Toronto, though, closed out the stanza by scoring eight of the final 12 points to seize a 77-67 advantage after 36 minutes.

In the fourth quarter, the Raptors blew the game open by starting the period on a 12-3 surge. Villanueva had nine points and Peterson added a three-pointer to give Toronto a commanding 89-70 lead with 9 1/2 minutes to go in the game.

Houston never threatened again en route to suffering the lopsided 20-point loss.

The Raptors shot 50 percent from the floor (41-of-82), which included a 12- of-27 effort from behind the arc. The Rockets made 45 percent of their tries, but were just a dismal 6-of-18 from three-point range.

Toronto led 21-20 after one quarter and held a 48-44 edge at the half.

Game Notes

Toronto has now hit at least one shot from behind the arc in 565 straight games, the longest streak in the NBA. The Raptors last failed to make a three- pointer on February 24, 1999 at Indiana...Miami holds the all-time record, as the Heat hit at least one triple in 594 straight games...The Raptors, who have won seven of their last nine games, improved to 4-12 at home this season...Toronto swept the season-series and has won three straight home meetings with the Rockets...The home team has also captured nine of the last 11 matchups...Houston forward Juwan Howard was ejected from the game in the first half after shoving James in the face with the ball.