TORONTO, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- LaMarcus Aldridge and Rudy Fernandez staked Portland to a quick start Friday and the Trail Blazers held on to defeat Toronto 102-96.
Portland won its third straight, getting 37 points from Aldridge and 23 from Fernandez, who produced all his points in the first half.
The Trail Blazers led by as many as 15 points in the second quarter, but the Raptors eventually closed within two with 10 seconds to play.
Wesley Matthews then made two free throws for Portland and, after DeMar DeRozan missed a 3-point try for Toronto, Aldridge added two more foul shots.
Toronto lost its third straight and has only nine home wins all season, second fewest in the Eastern Conference.
Portland shot 54 percent from the field with Aldridge hitting 14-of-25. Toronto was led by Andrea Bargnani with 29 points.
