CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Chris Bosh had 30 points and 11 rebounds and the Toronto Raptors handed the Charlotte Bobcats their seventh straight loss, 111-103 on Saturday night.

With Toronto Leading 99-98, Bosh hit two free throws, then blocked Brevin Knight at the other end, leading to Morris Peterson’s driving layup that made it 103-98 with 2:05 left. Bosh’s layup with a minute left made it 107-100.

Mike James added 22 points and Charlie Villanueva had 19 points and nine rebounds for Toronto, which ended a two-game losing streak and won for the only the fourth time in 21 games this season.

Knight had 20 points and 12 assists for Charlotte. Jumaine Jones added 16 points for the Bobcats, who lost forward Emeka Okafor to a sprained right big toe in the third quarter.

Both teams blew 11-point leads in the game matching the teams with the second- and third-worst records in the NBA.

Charlotte rallied from an 11-point third-quarter deficit, going on an 11-0 run to take an 83-81 lead on Jones’ reverse layup with 9:02 left in the game.

The lead changed hands five times until James’ driving layup with 6 minutes left put the Raptors ahead to stay.

The Bobcats led 57-52 after Kareem Rush’s jumper 58 seconds into the third quarter. The Raptors then went on an 18-4 run, taking advantage after Okafor walked to the locker room with 7:39 left. He did not return.

Sean May, who picked up three fouls in 5 first-quarter minutes trying to guard fellow rookie Villanueva, struggled to contain Rafael Araujo after replacing Okafor. Araujo had two layups in the spurt as the Raptors built an 11-point.

Notes: Former Purdue coach Gene Keady spent his first game on the bench as the new assistant for Toronto coach Sam Mitchell. “If he wants me to get a cup of coffee for him, I will,” said Keady, who spent 25 seasons at Purdue before retiring in March. “I’m here to be a couple of extra eyes and give suggestions. Him turning down my suggestions won’t hurt my feelings.” … Charlotte dropped to 3-1 when playing the second game of a back-to-back set at home. … Peterson played in his 299th consecutive game, the longest current streak in the NBA.

AP-ES-12-10-05 2223EST


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