In a thrilling encounter at Air Canada Centre, the Toronto Raptors ended the Houston Rockets' league-best 17-game winning streak with a 108-105 victory on Friday night.Toronto enjoyed the lead for much of the game and controlled proceedings but the Rockets were not prepared to give up their winning run without a fight.They rallied down the stretch and made it a close game in the final minutes as both teams traded huge clutch buckets.MVP frontrunner James Harden almost single-handedly brought Houston back into the game as he went off in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 of his 40 points in the period.But another MVP candidate, DeMar DeRozan, stepped up for his team and made some crucial baskets to inspire the victory, including a tough turnaround baseline jumper to give the Raps the lead after Harden had tied the game with a three."They've been playing exceptionally well, so for us to come in here and protect home court was big," said DeRozan, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

The shooting guard ended the game with 23 points on 8-of-19 shooting, along with seven rebounds and two assists.

The Raptors' best performer on the night, however, was his backcourt partner Kyle Lowry, who ended the night with 30 points and knocked down nine three-pointers.

As a team, Toronto was hot from downtown as they connected on 15-of-38. In contrast, Houston uncharacteristically struggled from beyond the arc as they matched their season low in threes made with nine. They also attempted only 27, their second-lowest total of the season.

Despite this, Harden had a calm reaction after the game and wasn't concerned with the loss or their performance.

"I don't even feel like we lost. Same swag," Harden said. "Ain't nothing changed. One game."

Chris Paul, on the other hand, couldn't hide his frustration and was critical of his own display.

He shot just 5-of-13 from the field for 14 points and missed a vital wide-open three-pointer that would've given them the lead with just 14.5 seconds remaining.

"Down the stretch, I've got to be better," said Paul. "We can't depend on James to do everything and make all those shots that he did. That's the thing I'm probably more frustrated about."

The Raptors, who have already clinched a playoff berth, move two-and-a-half games ahead of the Boston Celtics at the top of the east with a 48-17 record.

Houston drops to 51-14 but remains half a game above the Golden State Warriors after they were beaten by the Portland Trail Blazers.

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