The Raptors finally moved away from Suns 107-98 to 8-1

PHOENIX – The Toronto Raptors were not at their best, but good enough to get away from the Phoenix Suns for another win in the best start to the season in Canadian franchise history.

Kawhi Leonard scored 19 points and the Raptors used a 14-2 record in the fourth quarter to finally put away the boring Phoenix Suns 107-98 on Friday night.

Jonas Valanciunas added 16 points and Serge Ibaka 14 for the Raptors, who improved to 8-1, the best start to the franchise season with nine games. Kyle Lowry has 11 points and 12 assists.

"It's a 48-minute game and I think we're playing a very good basketball for about 28 minutes now," said Raptors coach Nick Nurse. "We have to stretch that. I do not think we'll ever have 48 minutes, but we want to get into the 40s probably after the new year. "

Deandre Ayton, No. 1 overall in the repechage, has 17 points and 18 rebounds for the Suns, losers of seven consecutive games since their victory in the first day of the season. Isaiah Canaan scored 19 and Devin Booker 18 for Phoenix. Booker came back after missing three games with a tense hamstring.

Phoenix was just four points behind early in the fourth quarter before the 14-2 rebound in Toronto.

"Well, our efforts have been better," said Suns' freshman Igor Kokoskov. "Having the book and Canaan back, I mean it helps a lot. We must continue to play with a strong and physical team like Toronto. We have to maintain and play 48 minutes. In the fourth quarter, we could not manage the physical aspect, their length, their size. … and we were just tired. "

The Suns led most of the first half, but never more than seven points.

Phoenix was up 52-48 at the break, Canaan scoring 12 points and Ayton adding 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The Raptors opened the third quarter with a 13-2 record. Leonard's three points on a hoop led Toronto to score 56-54 and Danny Green's point-scorer scored 61-54. Phoenix, however, scored the next seven, tied 61-61 on Booker's 18-foot.

Although they missed four free throws in this sequence, the Raptors responded with a 13-3 record to lead 74-64 after Fred VanVleet's 3 pointer with 2:04 left in the third quarter. Josh Jackson's three goals in the third quarter reduced Toronto's lead to 77-71.

The Jackson jumper at the beginning of the fourth quarter reduced it to 35 77-73 but the Raptors eventually took control for good.

VanVleet sank a 3-pointer, followed by a flight and a layup and Norman Powell sank a 3 to finish a 14-2 burst that allowed the Raptors to go up to 91-75 with 8 : 35 to do.

Toronto extended to 99-81 on the Valanciunas layup. Phoenix dominated the Raptors 17 to 8 the rest of the way.

"We want to be an aggressive defense team, put our hands on balls, deflect, go out and make the transition, get out and get 3s and layups," said Leonard, who blocked his left foot late in the fourth quarter but said later he was fine. "We did a good job for about six or seven possessions in a row."

TIP-INS

Raptors: Toronto started the season 7-2 in 2014 and in 2016. … Toronto opened a four-game trek across the West … Green left the left after getting hurt at head in the third quarter. … The Raptors have three consecutive wins over Phoenix, which corresponds to the longest sequence in the history of the franchise.

Suns: The Suns have lost their previous six games of the season by 28, 20, 18, 21, 7 and 30. … Phoenix still has three games to play at home. … By that time, in 1990, Phoenix beat Utah in Tokyo in the first game of the NBA's regular season outside of North America. Tom Chambers scored 38 for the Suns, Karl Malone 33 for the Jazz. … Phoenix only led at half time for the second time of the season.

FOLLOWING

Raptors: At the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday night.

Suns: Welcome the Memphis Griphers on Sunday night.

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