LOS ANGELES (AP) — Pascal Siakam had 31 points and the streaking Toronto Raptors held off a fourth-quarter comeback by the Los Angeles Clippers for a 103-100 victory Wednesday night.
The Raptors have won five straight to move into a tie for sixth place with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference.
Siakam, who also had 12 rebounds, has scored at least 20 points in a career-high eight straight games.
Fred VanVleet added 21 points for the Raptors.
Reggie Jackson led the Clippers with 23 points, and Marcus Morris Sr. added 22. Los Angeles has dropped three of its last four.
Toronto led 93-83 midway through the fourth quarter before the Clippers came back. Jackson's layup got Los Angeles within 99-97 with 1:28 remaining, but it couldn't get the tying basket.
The Clippers had a chance to send it to overtime, but Morris was short on a 3-point attempt with 1.7 seconds left.
The first half saw nine lead changes and four ties before the Raptors went on a 19-6 run over the final 6:35 to take a 54-44 lead at halftime. VanVleet keyed the spurt with nine points.
Toronto extended its lead to 65-48 with 9:42 remaining in the third quarter. It remained in double digits until the Clippers scored 11 straight points late in the third and early in the fourth to get within 78-76. Barnes would answer with a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to help Toronto regain momentum.
TIP INS
Raptors: Siakam had 14 points and six rebounds during the third quarter.
Clippers: Robert Covington returned after missing the past five games due to personal reasons and scored seven points in 21 minutes He also had three steals to reach 850 for his career. ... Jackson accounted for 23 of LA's 26 first-quarter points. He scored 10 points and his five assists led to 13 points. ... Ivica Zubac had all seven of his rebounds during the first 8 1/2 minutes.
UP NEXT
Raptors: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.
Clippers: At Utah on Friday night.
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