The Houston Rockets (36 - 37) defeated the Toronto Raptors (48 - 23) 112 - 109 on Friday. Houston entered the game fighting for a playoff spot and reeling after a heartbreaking, last - minute 89 - 87 loss on Wednesday to the Jazz. The defeat had been their fourth in the last five contests, and their prospects for turning things around Friday did n't look too bright considering a motivated Raptors squad was in town. Despite having clinched a playoff berth via a Bulls loss on Wednesday, Toronto continues to chase Cleveland for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. In a pivotal contest and facing a superior team, the Rockets naturally turned to their linchpin, James Harden. The perennial All-Star tallied an impressive triple - double, collecting 32 points, 13 assists, 11 rebounds, a steal and a block to key the Rockets' attack. The Raptors saw all five starters post double - digit scoring, beginning with DeMar DeRozan, who tallied 18 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Luis Scola and Jonas Valanciunas were next with a pair of 16 - point efforts. The former added five rebounds, an assist and a steal, while the latter hauled in a massive 18 rebounds and added two assists, two steals and a block. A returning Kyle Lowry, who'd rested on Wednesday in a loss to the Celtics, pitched in with 15 points, eight assists, two rebounds, a steal and a block. Norman Powell, getting the start at small forward for the ailing Terrence Ross (hand), totaled 13 points, four rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block. Corey Joseph paced the reserves with 12 points, three rebounds and two assists. Toronto remains atop the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division, and is now 3 games behind the top - seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. They head to New Orleans for a Saturday night showdown with the Pelicans. Michael Beasley followed Harden's game - high point total with a bench - leading 21 points. He added five rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Patrick Beverley registered 17 points, five assists, four rebounds and two blocks. Donatas Motiejunas was productive in his own right, supplying 11 points, three rebounds and an assist. The Rockets remain in third place in the Western Conference's Southwest Division, and are currently slotted in the seventh seed in the conference as well. They now head to Indiana for an Easter Sunday showdown with the Pacers.
["TeamStat(G,'Rockets') has 37 Losses ,has 112 Total points ,has 36 Wins ."
 "TeamStat(G,'Raptors') has 23 Losses ,has 109 Total points ,has 48 Wins ."]