Villanueva leads Raptors to victory over Orlando

Mike James scored 17 points and dished out seven assists, Morris Peterson tallied 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Matt Bonner contributed 13 points for Toronto.

Jalen Rose scored 11 points, and Darrick Martin and Chris Bosh added 10 points for the Raptors, who shot 63 percent from the floor and made 7-of-10 from three-point range.

Jameer Nelson scored a career-high 31 points for Orlando, which has lost two straight games and played without star forward Grant Hill, who missed the contest with a strained groin.

DeShawn Stevenson tallied 12 points and Hedo Turkoglu added 11 points in the loss.

Toronto went on a 10-0 scoring streak near the end of the half to open a comfortable edge. Villanueva’s basket started the streak and James’ driving layup gave the Raptors a 55-36 lead with 1:57 left.

Orlando countered with six straight, but James and Peterson buried threes to end the half and give Toronto a 61-42 lead.

Without Hill’s defense, the Raptors sliced into the lane at will and attempted several wide open outside shots. Toronto shot 59 percent in the half and made 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.

A 13-4 spurt turned the game into a rout during the early stages of the third quarter. Bosh had six points and Toronto continued its red-hot shooting with a 4-of-7 start from the floor.

Toronto led 87-68 after three quarters.

Both coaches emptied their benches in the fourth quarter and the Raptors coasted to victory.

The Raptors ended the first period on an 11-4 spurt to take a 28-22 lead. Joey Graham converted a three-point play and Rose drained a trey during the quarter-ending run.

Game Notes

Toronto has won four of the last five meetings...Orlando has lost four straight north of the border...Toronto is 3-12 at home this season...Orlando is 4-8 on the road...The Raptors will host Houston and New Jersey to close out their three-game homestand...Steve Francis, Dwight Howard and Mario Kasun scored 10 points apiece in the loss...Toronto held a 34-21 edge on the glass... Orlando converted 24-of-25 attempts from the charity stripe...The 24- point triumph was Toronto’s largest ever victory over the Magic...Toronto defeated Orlando, 92-90, at the TD Waterhouse Centre on December 19.