Bosh leads Raptors over Hawks

Feb 3, 2007, 3:20 GMT

Atlanta, GA - Chris Bosh posted 24 points and 10 rebounds, as the Atlantic Division-leading Toronto Raptors downed the Atlanta Hawks, 103-91, at Philips Arena.

Morris Peterson netted 21 points off the bench for the Raptors, who have won five of their last six and are 9-16 as the visitor this season. Jose Calderon scored 14 points, Anthony Parker and Radoslav Nesterovic both had 12, and Andrea Bargnani netted 11. T.J. Ford dished out 10 assists

'Their quickness gave us a lot of trouble, but I think we got some stops,' Toronto coach Sam Mitchell said.

Joe Johnson scored 28 points for the Hawks, who wrapped up a split four-game homestand and are 9-13 at Philips Arena this season. Josh Smith posted 26 points and 12 rebounds, while Marvin Williams, Josh Childress and Zaza Pachulia each had 11 points.

'I thought we played better the second half, and we were able to get back in the game because we defended and rebounded the ball,' Atlanta coach Mike Woodson said.

With Toronto holding a one-point advantage just over three minutes into the game, the Raptors went on a 7-0 spurt sparked by a pair of Parker free throws with 8:34 left. They staked a 10-point lead, 31-21, heading into the second stanza.

The Raptors bolstered that lead early in the second when they took off on a 9-0 run capped by a Ford layup with 7:24 to go. They outscored the Hawks by seven in the quarter to take a 63-46 lead into the locker room.

Atlanta cut its deficit by five in the third to trail 84-72 heading into the fourth. The Hawks cut it to seven twice early in the fourth, but never got closer thereafter.

'They jumped on us early,' Smith said. 'We tried to make a run for it in the third. We were playing well, we just couldn't cut it past eight.'

Game Notes

Friday's showdown between Toronto and Atlanta was the fourth and final meeting of the season between the squads with the season series ending in a split, but Toronto has won seven of 10 and eight of the last 12 meetings.

The Raptors have won six of their last eight trips to Atlanta.

After missing the previous 11 games, Hawks guard Speedy Claxton (sore left knee) returned to notch two points, two assists and two rebounds.

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