Raptors 96, Grizzlies 92
DeMar DeRozan scored 21 points and Kyle Lowry added 18 as host Toronto downed short-handed Memphis to earn its Eastern Conference-leading ninth victory.
Lowry dished out seven assists and scored two key buckets down the stretch for the Raptors, who improved to 7-1 at home. Terrence Ross tallied 14 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter while Amir Johnson grabbed nine rebounds for Toronto, which finished 11-of-13 from the free-throw line.
Marc Gasol led the way with 22 points to go along with 12 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who had five players - including Tony Allen and Courtney Lee - out with a stomach virus. Mike Conley scored 19 points while Zach Randolph contributed 18 points and 18 rebounds for Memphis.
Vince Carter hit a 3-pointer to give the Grizzlies their biggest lead of the first half at 48-40 and Memphis outscored the Raptors 30-16 in the paint to take a six-point advantage into intermission. The Grizzlies pushed the margin to 64-54 before Lou Williams sparked a 9-0 surge to cut the deficit to one with just under four minutes left in the third quarter.
Memphis missed its first five shots of the fourth quarter and Ross converted a three-point play to put Toronto on top 77-76. DeRozan evened the score at 92 with a smooth jumper before Lowry followed up his acrobatic layup with a clutch jumper with eight seconds left to secure the win.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Raptors have won the last three matchups with the Grizzlies. … Williams added 13 points off the bench. … Memphis won the battle of the boards 50-35.