The red-hot Toronto Raptors have received shining performances from their All-Stars and rolled into the record books.
Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan scored 26 points apiece, and the Raptors set a franchise record with their 10th consecutive win on Thursday, 103-93 over the short-handed New York Knicks.
"We're just going out there and having fun," said DeRozan, hours after being named an Eastern Conference reserve for the NBA All-Star Game to be played on February 14 in host city Toronto.
"I tell the guys any time we go out there: play hard on both ends and everything else will take care of itself."
The Raptors were tested by the stubborn Knicks despite playing without starters Carmelo Anthony (left knee), Latvian rookie Kristap Porzingis (respiratory infection) and Spaniard Jose Calderon (groin) before coming away with the milestone victory.
"They fought hard without three of their starters and gave us a hell of a game," said Lowry, who was voted an East starting guard in the league's mid-season showcase.
Toronto led 53-43 at halftime before having it cut to 58-57 in the third quarter.
The Raptors responded, though, as DeRozan and Lowry combined for 11 points in a period-ending 15-3 run to open up a 73-60 cushion entering the final 12 minutes.
Lowry scored 10 points, and Toronto's lead was 97-86 with two minutes left, but the visitors wouldn't go away.
A three-pointer by Jerian Grant brought the Knicks to within 99-92 with 33.6 seconds remaining before DeRozan sank four free throws to wrap up the landmark win.
Arron Afflalo scored 20 points while reserves Sasha Vujecic and Grant added 13 for the undermanned Knicks (22-25) who lost their fourth straight decision.
Elsewhere, Chicago's Jimmy Butler had 26 points with a career-best 10 assists, while Spaniard Pau Gasol added 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists against his former team Los Angeles, and the visiting Bulls sent the lowly Lakers to their season-high-tying eighth straight loss 114-91.
The Denver Nuggets beat the Washington Wizards 117-113; the Indiana Pacers beat the Atlanta Hawks 111-92; the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Sacramento Kings 114-104; and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Milwaukee Bucks 103-83.
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