Roy Keeps Winning Streak Alive As Trail Blazers Win 9th Straight, Outlast Raptors 101-96

????????????????????? Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy, left, drives past Toronto Raptors guard Anthony Parker to the hoop during their game, played Wednesday night. Roy led the Blazers with 25 points to beat the Raptors 101-96.

Unless you don’t follow the NBA or you’ve been in a cave as of late, then you know that the Portland Trail Blazers are the hottest team in the NBA right now.? Coming into tonight’s game against the Toronto Raptors, they were hanging on to an eight-game winning streak.? Enter Brandon Roy.? Despite fighting the flu bug, he played like a fully healthy human being - leading the Trail Blazers to a big win over the Raptors 101-96 at the Rose Garden Wednesday.

Toronto, winners of 5 of their last 6 games, threatened to pull away several times during the first half, but there was an obstacle in their path.? That obstacle was - you guessed - Brandon Roy.? Roy was hot for Portland during the first half, going 6-of-7 while scoring 16 first-half points.? The Raptors’ Anthony Parker made a 3-pointer with 3:26 left in the half to give Toronto a 50-42 advantage, but Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge made a jumper and Roy drained a 3 narrowed the Raptors’ lead.? Toronto managed to stay ahead, leading 56-51 at halftime.

Trailing the entire first half, Portland tied things up at 87 on Travis Outlaw’s pair of free throws with 6:08 left in the contest.? Roy would make a layup to put the Blazers ahead.? Toronto got closer with a layup by Jose Calderon, narrowing Portland’s lead to 97-93 with 1:47 left.? The Blzzers slowed down their game and went up 99-94 on James Jones’ 2 free throws when fouled by Toronto’s Jason Kapono with 11.7 ticks left.? The Raptors’ Chris Bosh dunked to get the Raptors closer, but Portland’s Jones was fouled again made both of his free throws for the final margin with 8.4 seconds to go.

Portland had 5 players in double-digits, led by Roy with 25 points with 9 rebounds and 8 assists - nearly a triple-double.? Aldridge and Martell Webster added 15 each, while Steve Blake chipped in with 14.? Toronto was led by Calderon with 19 points with 9 assists, while Bosh added 18 and 11 rebounds.? Parker would contribute 16 in a losing effort.? Portland (14-12), winners of their last 9 games, hope to stretch it to 10 when they remain home to host the Denver Nuggets Friday night.? Toronto (15-12) travels north up Interstate 5 to face the Seattle SuperSonics, also on Friday.