Jeremy Lin and the Charlotte Hornets needed overtime to beat the Toronto Raptors, 109-99 on Thursday night (Friday morning in Australia) but not before a late-game scare from the Canadian squad.

The Hornets were in control for three quarters and a half and were poised to snap a two-game skid after losses to the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic in their previous two games.

However, the Raptors found a way to get back into the game despite trailing 85-73 halfway into the final quarter. Toronto outscored Charlotte 17-5 in the final six minutes and forced overtime at 90-all.

Playing without starting forward Nicolas Batum, the Hornets were led by Jeremy Lin, who delivered his best game in a Hornets uniform. Lin had a season-high 35 points on 13-of-22 field goals and added 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the Hornets, which improved to 15-10 for the year, good for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto had a chance to win it all in regulation period as DeMar DeRozan hit a long three-pointer as time was winding down. However, the Raptors called a timeout and the officials waived off the shot.

Instead, the Raptors have now lost back-to-back games after a loss to the Indiana Pacers in their previous game. Toronto dropped to 16-11 for the season, or in sixth place in the East.

Kemba Walker also had a nice game for the Hornets with 27 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 blocked shots while P.J. Hairston continued his good play with 14 points including 4-of-7 from behind the arc.

The Hornets will take the road in their next two games facing the Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, the Raptors will try to snap their skid against the Miami Heat.

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