DeMar DeRozan Explodes For 42, Leads Raptors Past Rockets, 99-96

DeMar DeRozan made sure the Toronto Raptors remain in contention for a higher seed in the postseason exploding for 42 points on Monday night in leading his squad to a victory over the visiting Houston Rockets, 99-96,

The Raptors' franchise player got hot in the third quarter and made 14-of-27 field goals overall and also added 11 rebounds. Other Toronto starters struggled except for Jonas Valanciunas, who had 15 points and 9 rebounds. Off the bench, the Raptors also got 13 points from Louis Williams, who hit 3-of-6 from behind the arc.

With a slim one point lead late, DeRozan hit an 18-foot jumper to push the lead for the Raptors and they held on to that the victory after three-pointers from Trevor Ariza which would have sent the game to overtime.

Rockets leader James Harden had 31 points for the Rockets (50-24), which were looking to grab the second place in the tough Western Conference from the Memphis Grizzlies (51-24). Instead, they fall half a game back form their rivals and are just one and a half game ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers (48-25).

It’s the stretch run in the regular season and the remaining games for contending teams will decide their postseason seed; Houston still has the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, twice in their schedule while Toronto has games against Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat— all battling for a playoff spot.

Ariza added 15 points but missed 10-of-15 shots while Josh Smith had 8 points on just 3-of-14 field goal shooting. Overall, the usually high-powered offence of the Rockets sputtered with a 35-of-84 FGs or 41.7% for the evening.

To contact author of this article, email j.quizon@IBTimes.com.au.