Raptors 96, Hornets 90
Jose Calderon had 22 points and 16 assists to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 96-90 victory over the visiting New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday.
DeMar DeRozan added 17 points as Toronto (17-44) won for just the fourth time in its last 24 games.
David West had 19 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans (35-27), which has dropped 11 of 15.
New Orleans trimmed a 17-point third-quarter deficit to 84-82 midway through the final period. But two baskets by Calderon and a 20-footer by DeRozan rebuilt the lead to 92-84 with 1:49 remaining.
Andrea Bargnani and Sonny Weems scored 14 points apiece and James Johnson had 13 for Toronto.
Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry added 17 points apiece for New Orleans. All-Star Chris Paul managed just seven points and five assists.
Toronto led 70-53 after Johnson’s basket with 3:10 left in the third quarter. New Orleans went on a 20-6 run over the next six-plus minutes and pulled within 76-73 on former Raptor Marco Belinelli’s 3-pointer with 8:52 remaining.
Landry’s layup with 5:48 to play made it a two-point contest before Toronto held off the Hornets’ charge.
DeRozan scored eight points during a 14-2 second-quarter run that saw Toronto break a tie and take a 51-39 lead. The Raptors led by 15 at halftime.