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Raptors beat Celtics to push win streak to 6

Xinhua, January 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

Toronto Raptors defeated Boston Celtics 115-109 on Wednesday night to extend their winning streak to a season-best six games.

Toronto's previous best was the five straight wins at the beginning of the season from Oct. 28 to Nov. 4.

Despite the current winning streak, Raptors head coach Dwane Casey continues to be focused on getting the team to the level that he hopes the team can reach.

"We got to go game by game, possession by possession," said Casey in Toronto. "We could easily have been on the other side of that. We know we're not doing some things well, turning some balls over. We have to find other ways to win."

With the win, Casey's squad improves to 27-15 on the season, an identical record as last season after 42 games. The team ended with a franchise-best 49 wins last season.

Despite the duplicate records, this year's squad is on pace to surpass last season's due to overcoming an unfavorable first-half schedule and an improved defence.

Due to being part of the NBA Global Games in London, United Kingdom last week and hosting the All-Star game later in February, Raptors has played just 19 of their first 42 games at Air Canada Centre, compared to the 23 played last season. Toronto has overcome this difficult schedule with 14-9 road record, the second-best road record in the league.

Toronto's defence was 27th in the league last season, allowing opponents to shoot 46.0 percent from the field. This season, Casey's squad have held opponents to 43.7 percent, good for eighth best in the league.

While the improvement on defence may have not been on display against Boston, who shoot 50.6 percent, coach Casey is optimistic that the team will return to form soon.

"It's important that you win ugly," said Casey. "We gotta make sure we get out defensive mojo back."

Raptors are in the midst of a season-long seven game home stand and hope to continue their winning ways.

The team record for most consecutive wins in a row is nine from Mar. 22 to Apr. 9 in 2002. Endit