December 21, 2012

Toronto Raptors forward Jonas Valanciunas grabs his right hand after being injured during the first half against the Magic on Friday. (REUTERS/Mike Cassese)

TORONTO - The Raptors made it a lot harder than it should have been, but all that matters is the end result and Friday night closed with a fifth Toronto win in a row, the first time that has happened in just shy of three years.

A J.J. Redick three rimmed out in the dying seconds, giving the Raptors a 93-90 victory over the 12-14 Magic and a 9-19 record heading into a brief holiday break.

Saying this one was ugly would be an understatement. The Raptors shot just 40.7%, but eight made threes and 19-of-21 shooting from the line were the difference.