The Houston Rockets defeated the Toronto Raptors, 119-109, at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night.

The Rockets (14-7) came out of the gates primed for this interconference matchup, taking a 34-28 first-quarter lead that was 63-55 by halftime. The Raptors (15-6) managed to shave two points off their deficit entering the fourth quarter, and they then managed to get as close as 101-100 with 8:39 remaining. However, Houston would finish on an 18-9 run from that point to clinch the hard-fought road victory, one in which they shot just 40.8 percent from the field.

Ben McLemore led the way for the Rockets with 28 points, adding three assists, two rebounds and one steal. James Harden furnished 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists, five steals and one block. Russell Westbrook contributed a 19-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist triple-double that also included two steals. P.J. Tucker generated 18 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal. Danuel House, Jr. led the bench with 16 points.

Pascal Siakam paced the Raptors with 24 points, a total he complemented with nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. Fred VanVleet contributed 20 points, six boards, five assists, three steals and one block. Kyle Lowry delivered 19 points, eight assists, five rebounds and one steal. Norman Powell led the second unit with 14 points, while Serge Ibaka pitched in 10 points, five boards and two assists.

The Rockets return home and take on the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night, while the Raptors hit the road and pay a visit to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday evening.