Raptors extend Pacers' losing streak to four
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-31 14:03

INDIANAPOLIS - Mike James scored 14 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 99-97 win over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.

Charlie Villanueva had 25 points and 10 rebounds and Chris Bosh added 22 points and 12 boards for the Raptors.

Stephen Jackson led the Pacers with 23 points while Fred Jones and Jermaine O'Neal each scored 20.

Indiana led by as many as 16 points in the second half, but Toronto took a 95-93 lead on a James layup with 1:37 left.

James scored again, then Morris Peterson dunked after a steal to give Toronto a 99-93 lead with 41 seconds left.

Stephen Jackson was fouled on a 3-point shot and made all three free throws to cut Toronto's lead to 99-96 with 28.4 seconds left.

James missed a jumper, and Jones rebounded and called timeout with 2.9 seconds left.

Toronto's Jalen Rose fouled Austin Croshere with 2.5 seconds left. Croshere made the first free throw to cut Toronto's lead to 99-97, then missed the second intentionally. The ball went out of bounds off a Toronto player to give the Pacers one last shot, but Peterson intercepted Sarunas Jasikevicius' inbounds pass to end the game.

The Raptors won their second straight game while the Pacers' losing streak increased to four.

O'Neal did not start because of a sore lower back, and Indiana point guard Jamaal Tinsley missed the game with a sore right elbow.

Toronto has won six of its last nine road games and seven of 14 overall after starting 1-15.

Indiana took a 64-49 lead early in the third quarter, but the Raptors went on an 8-2 run to force the Pacers to call timeout. Indiana rookie Danny Granger responded with three consecutive baskets, and Jackson's 3-pointer gave the Pacers a 75-59 lead with 2:49 left in the period.