Bosh carries Raptors over Wizards

(Associated Press )
Updated: 2007-01-08 10:07

TORONTO - It was a game of perspective exercises. Gilbert Arenas pegged Washington's loss on the early game time. Chris Bosh credited Toronto's win to having a full team for the first time in almost a month.

"I don't think we've ever played well on 1 o'clock games," Arenas said after Bosh had 24 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Raptors to a 116-111 victory over the Wizards on Sunday.

"In the NBA that's a weird time, especially for your body because that's usually your practice time. A 1 o'clock practice, you know how that goes."

Arenas had 33 points, but went 7-for-19 from the field for the Wizards, whose three-game winning streak ended.

Toronto shot 51 percent compared to 44 percent for Washington.

"The shots weren't falling and we weren't getting stops. That's the game today," Arenas said.

T.J. Ford added 20 points for the Raptors, who had six players score in double figures in improving their home record to 10-5.

Ford returned after missing three games with a sprained right ankle and Jorge Garbajosa was back after missing two games with a strained right calf. Toronto is 2-1 since Bosh returned from a 12-game absence.

"It's the first time in a while we've seen everyone together," Bosh said. "We're playing a little better."

The Raptors held Arenas in check in the first quarter, but he scored 11 points in the second quarter, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer. He's made 10 shots at the end of a quarter this season.

Toronto led 57-51 at halftime and outscored Washington 27-19 in the third quarter.

Antawn Jamison, who had 17 points and 14 rebounds, made consecutive baskets to cut Toronto's lead to eight in the third, but the Raptors ended the quarter on a 11-4 run sparked by Garbajosa's 3-pointer.

Bosh scored six straight points to start the fourth, and Jose Calderon made a jumper and Andrea Bargnani made a 3-pointer to give Toronto a 20-point lead with 8:43 left.

Arenas' 3-pointer cut Toronto's lead to seven with 2:11 remaining, but Joey Graham made a jumper and Bosh made two free throws with just under 2 minutes left.

Toronto coach Sam Mitchell was happy despite watching his team almost blow a 22-point lead.

"Why are you all shaking your heads?" Mitchell said to a throng of reporters. "We won a game against a good team. I don't know what you are all so upset about, but I'm happy."

The Wizards are 16-2 when Arenas scores 30 or more points. Caron Butler added 24 points.

Butler said the Raptors are a team to watch.

"Chris Bosh is a handful," Butler said. "You have to tip your had to them. I can't wait to see them again. They have a good a real good franchise player. He's got potential for greatness. He's a mismatch every night."



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