An overhauled Raptors lineup is solid enough to beat the Rockets

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With the stress of the NBA trade deadline behind them, the rest of the Toronto Raptors looked relaxed and confident Friday night at Scotiabank Arena.

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At least until the closing stages of a 107-104 win over the Houston Rockets. The Rockets beat the previous iteration of the Raptors in Texas a week ago by 29 points.

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But this time, Houston missed a three-pointer at the buzzer after a gritty rally brought them back to a game that should have ended.

Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett, who arrived in the first of four trades the Raptors will make between late December and Thursday, were both terrific, especially until the fourth, and rookie star Scotty Barnes barely made a shot but did. Everything else is fine, including a few big attacks that are delayed. Quickley had 25 points, Barrett 21. Canada's Dillon Brooks caught fire in the final quarter and led Houston with 20 points.

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Rookies Kelly Olympic and Ochai Agbaji watched from the sidelines, as did former Raptor star guard Fred VanVleet, who made the trip but was injured. VanVleet received a standing ovation from the crowd after a well-crafted video honoring his record-setting time with the Raptors, but that was the only highlight of the night, as they jumped out early, up by 13 just short. Went on an 18-2 run, but fell again big before coming back in the fourth.

Brooks had a rough night, but made back-to-back three-pointers late to cut the deficit to five. Later, he hit a heavy layup to pull the Rockets back within five overs. The Raptors came up with a pair of offensive rebounds in the final minute, but Houston won on an offside call and Brooks nailed another three-pointer. Barrett, his Canadian summer teammate, was fouled and made two free throws before veteran Jeff Green missed an off-balance attempt.

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VanVleet told reporters he wanted to play during morning shootaround, but the practice staff wouldn't let him.

“Okay, until I get here this morning,” Van Vleet said. “I'm a little disappointed, but I'm happy to be here.”

She could have burst into tears during the video later in the evening, hoping not to get too emotional. VanVleet didn't cry, but it was clear she was affected by the moment.

The point guard has done a solid job leading the Rockets to more wins than the team did all season last year, but this group still stinks on the road with a 5-19 record from Houston.

As for the Raptors, two in a row is good considering they've gone 8 to 10 before.

Cleveland is expected to play in town on Saturday after Olynyk and Agbaji studied the Raptors' playbook and plenty of video.

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