The Toronto Raptors (52 - 25) defeated the Charlotte Hornets (44 - 33) 96 - 90 on Tuesday. The Hornets came in to the contest with a playoff spot in hand, while the Raptors were trying to keep their faint chances of catching the top - seeded Cleveland Cavaliers alive. Charlotte, which had won five of their last seven games, and five of their last seven road contests as well, gave Toronto all they could handle until the closing seconds after mounting a furious rally in the fourth quarter. The vistors had entered the final 12 minutes trailing 75 - 59, but a strong effort by Jeremy Lin, who started for the injured Nicolas Batum (knee), helped key the comeback. The Hornets got as close as 93 - 88 with 37 seconds remaining after Kemba Walker successfully converted an and - one, but DeMar DeRozan and Corey Joseph were able to sink two key free throws apiece to seal the win. The Hornets were led by Lin's 21 points, which he supplemented with seven assists, four rebounds and a steal. Marvin Williams followed with 15 points, six rebounds, an assist and two steals. Walker was next with 11 points, two rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block. Courtney Lee managed 11 points, two rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block. Frank Kaminsky III paced the bench with nine points, six rebounds, an assist and a block, while Al Jefferson notably hauled in 11 boards in 20 minutes as a reserve. Charlotte is in third place in the Eastern Conference's Southeast Division, and is slotted in the sixth seed as well. They head to New York to take on the Knicks on Wednesday. Toronto's attack was spearheaded by DeRozan, who poured in a game - high 26 points and added seven rebounds, six assists and a steal. Kyle Lowry tallied 21 points, six assists, four rebounds and a block. Jonas Valanciunas posted a 12 - point, 12 - rebound double - double, and recorded three blocks. Joseph paced the reserves with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal. Patrick Patterson was productive off the bench as well, managing 10 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Raptors remain atop the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division, and due to a Cavs win on Tuesday, remain 4 games back of the top spot in the conference. They head to Atlanta to take on the Hawks on Thursday.
["TeamStat(G,'Raptors') has 25 Losses ,has 96 Total points ,has 26 Points in 1st quarter ,has 52 Wins ."
 "TeamStat(G,'Hornets') has 33 Losses ,has 90 Total points ,has 44 Points in 1st quarter ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Courtney Lee') has 2 Assists ,has 1 Blocks ,has 11 Defensive rebounds ,has 2 3-pointers attempted ,has 1 3-pointers made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Marvin Williams') has 1 Assists ,has 15 Blocks ,has 6 Defensive rebounds ,has 2 3-pointers attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Jeremy Lin') has 7 Assists ,has 21 Blocks ,has 4 Defensive rebounds ,has 1 3-pointers attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Kemba Walker') has 4 Assists ,has 1 Blocks ,has 2 Defensive rebounds ,has 1 3-pointers attempted ,has 2 3-pointers made ,has 11 Field goal percentage ,has 2 Free throws attempted ,has 1 Free throws made ,has 1 Minutes played ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Al Jefferson') has 20 Assists ,has 11 Blocks ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Frank Kaminsky') has 1 Assists ,has 1 Blocks ,has 9 Defensive rebounds ,has 6 3-pointers attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Jonas Valanciunas') has 3 Assists ,has 12 Blocks ,has 12 Defensive rebounds ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'DeMar DeRozan') has 6 Assists ,has 2 Blocks ,has 1 Defensive rebounds ,has 37 3-pointers attempted ,has 26 3-pointers made ,has 7 Field goal percentage ,has 1 Free throws attempted ,has 1 Free throws made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Kyle Lowry') has 6 Assists ,has 1 Blocks ,has 21 Defensive rebounds ,has 4 3-pointers attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Patrick Patterson') has 3 Assists ,has 10 Blocks ,has 3 Defensive rebounds ,has 2 3-pointers attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Cory Joseph') has 2 Assists ,has 2 Blocks ,has 1 Defensive rebounds ,has 2 3-pointers attempted ,has 2 3-pointers made ,has 1 Field goal percentage ,has 2 Free throws attempted ,has 11 Free throws made ,has 4 Minutes played ,has 1 Offensive rebounds ."]