(Houston) Fred VanVleet scored 32 points as the Toronto Raptors inflicted a 117-111 loss to the Houston Rockets on Friday.
The Raptors overcame a slow start, taking more than four minutes to score a first field goal.
Houston led 9-0, 14-3 in the first quarter, but Toronto narrowed the margin to just one point after the end.
Gary Trent had 29 points, six more than Pascal Siakam.
The only Raptors backup to earn points was Montreal’s Chris Boucher with 11. That includes a three-point shot just after entering the game when the Rockets were leading 9-0.
Boucher also provided three of seven blocks for the Raptors (24-30), who had lost their last two games.
“We didn’t have a lot of energy at the start,” conceded Raptors coach Nick Nurse. You have to give the guys on the bench credit for the energy they brought. They got us back on the right track a bit and delivered some great sequences. »
Boucher also had a steal, while Christian Koloko and Malachi Flynn had two each.
On three-point shooting, VanVleet was 5-for-11, Trent 5-for-9 and Barnes 3-for-7.
VanVleet had one from the corner despite heavy coverage from Jae’Sean Tate, with 3:02 remaining in the second quarter. The Raptors then took the lead 47-41.
Trent was also brilliant shortly before the end of the half.
He made two three-point shots in about 30 seconds, the second with just two seconds left.
His people were able to return to the locker room ahead 55-48.
In the third quarter, VanVleet added three 3-point shots in the opening 2:35, providing a 69-50 cushion for the Canadian clan.
“He looks great,” Nurse said. He plays intensely. He looks fast and athletic. He tries his shots with a lot of confidence and he plays very well in defense as well. »
Houston didn’t give up and in the final quarter, a key moment was a long two-pointer from Barnes to make the Raptors 106-95 with 2:24 remaining. The Toronto club held firm thereafter, largely with free throws.
The Raptors are a game and a half away from 10e rank in the East.
Toronto is .500 on a seven-game road trip, the team’s longest this season.
The Raptors will complete the journey on Sunday in Memphis.
Dillon Brooks will then be suspended following the altercation with Donovan Mitchell of the Cavaliers, which occurred on Thursday.
The Ontarian ranks fourth on the Grizzlies with 15.3 points per game, on average.
Veteran Eric Gordon scored 28 points for the Rockets. The latter were deprived of their two best scorers, Jalen Green and Kevin Porter.
Drafted second overall two years ago, Green has a right calf injury. Porter is inconvenienced in the left foot.