Having had such an easy time for most of the game, the Toronto Raptors decided to test their poise in the waning minutes last night.

Test passed.

After seeing an 18-point fourth-quarter lead almost evaporate entirely, the Raptors played smart at both ends of the court in the dying seconds to beat the Houston Rockets 109-103 in a sold-out-as-usual Air Canada Centre.

For a team thought to be in such disarray after a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers eons ago ? well, actually, only four days ago ? the Raptors are now five games over .500 for just the second time this season. At 22-17, they have won four of their last five games and have swept the first two games of a big stretch of four outings in five nights.

"We got in a good flow and played a good game from start to finish, which isn't something we've done a lot this year," said Vince Carter, who had an economical night with 29 points on 12-of-19 shooting from the floor.

"That was a good win."