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Raptors seek to extend four-game winning streak

Mar 16, 2007 - 2:11 PM Houston (40-25) at Toronto (36-29) 7:00 pm EDT

TORONTO (Ticker) -- T.J. Ford has been on a roll for the first-place Toronto Raptors.

Ford looks to lead the Raptors to their fifth consecutive victory when they visit the Houston Rockets on Friday.

Ranked seventh in the league in assists (7.9), Ford tied a career high with 18 and scored 18 points in Toronto's 104-94 triumph over the New York Knicks on Wednesday.

Since scoring just four points against Memphis on March 7, Ford is shooting 56 percent (23-of-41) from the floor and averaging 13.3 assists and 20.7 points in his last three games.

The Raptors are 23-9 at home this season and have a 6 1/2-game lead over the New Jersey Nets (30-36) and the New York Knicks (29-35) in the Atlantic Division race.

The Rockets have been inconsistent on offense in recent outings. They are averaging 108.8 points in their last four victories and just 80.6 in their last five defeats.

Houston has won four of five overall and is in fifth place in the Western Conference, 3 1/2 games in back of the Utah Jazz (43-21).

The Rockets squandered a 13-point lead before coming back in Wednesday's 109-105 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Tracy McGrady scored 21 points and Rafer Alston added 20 for Houston.

Toronto has won the last three meetings with the Rockets, including a 106-90 victory on February 28.