The Toronto Raptors (32 - 15) defeated the Brooklyn Nets (18 - 28) 127 - 122 in double overtime on Friday. Toronto went through a rough patch early in January, but they've collected five straight wins to help right the ship. The improved play of DeMar DeRozan over the last week has been the most obvious improvement seen from the Raptors, and it was DeRozan who led the Raptors on Friday, putting up a team - high 26 points and nine assists in 41 minutes. While they hold the distinguished position of being in second place in the Eastern Conference standings, the Raptors are also a wide birth of 8 games behind the conference - leading Atlanta Hawks. Brooklyn has dropped four straight games, and they've only won three games in January as they continue to fall out of the playoff conversation. Jarrett Jack put up a fight Friday, scoring a game - high 35 points, but the Nets continue to struggle with Deron Williams (ribs) missing the last 10 games, and while Williams appears close to returning, there's no target date that has been released to the public. Brook Lopez took advantage of getting 40 minutes off the bench for Brooklyn on Friday and matched Jack's game high with 35 points of his own. Jack also handed out 13 assists, and Lopez pulled down 12 rebounds, but their combined effort could n't get them over the hump against the Raptors. Toronto will continue their road trip against the Washington Wizards on Saturday. The Nets will host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.
["TeamStat(G,'Nets') has 28 Losses ,has 122 Total points ,has 18 Wins ."
 "TeamStat(G,'Raptors') has 15 Losses ,has 127 Total points ,has 32 Wins ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'DeMar DeRozan') has 9 Assists ,has 41 Free throws made ,has 26 Minutes played ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Lou Williams') has 10 Assists ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Jarrett Jack') has 13 Assists ,has 35 Free throws made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Brook Lopez') has 35 Assists ,has 12 Free throws made ."]