Raptors Win 96-79 in NBA to End Knicks’ Five-Game Winning Streak

DeMar DeRozan scored 30 points to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 96-79 victory that ended the New York Knicks’ five-game winning streak.

The defeat cut the Knicks’ lead to a half-game over the Milwaukee Bucks in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the National Basketball Association’s Eastern Conference.

The Knicks (23-25) had won their first five games after interim coach Mike Woodson replaced Mike D’Antoni on March 14. The Bucks (22-25) defeated the Charlotte Bobcats 112-96 last night.

Andrea Bargnani had 21 points and Gary Forbes came off the bench to score 19 for the Raptors, who broke a three-game losing streak at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

Amar’e Stoudemire had 17 points for the Knicks and reserve Steve Novak added 15 points, all on 3-pointers.

To contact the reporter on this story: Nancy Kercheval in Washington at nkercheval@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Michael Sillup at msillup@bloomberg.net