Los Angeles: Klay Thompson delivered 26 points and Kevin Durant tallied 25 as the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors held on to defeat the Raptors 127-125 in Toronto on Saturday.

The Warriors recorded their league-best 19th road win of the season as they won the battle against a Raptors team lying second in the Eastern Conference.

They didn’t make it easy, however, blowing a 27-point halftime lead before hanging on for the victory. DeMar DeRozan helped spark Toronto’s rally with a 42-point performance for the Raptors, who lost to Golden State for an eighth straight time.

Two-time league MVP Stephen Curry scored 24 points for the Warriors after missing the last two games with an ankle injury. Durant came up with some clutch baskets down the stretch to secure the win.

DeRozan’s layup moved Toronto to within 121-119 with just over two minutes left, but Durant countered to give the Warriors a four-point lead. DeRozan responded, cutting the Raptors’ deficit to 123-122 with 63 seconds remaining.

Agence France-Presse