Game Centre: Leonard steps up with Lowry down for Raptors’ eighth straight win

It doesn’t matter how victory is achieved for the Toronto Raptors, it just matters that it is.

Gone was the sense of energy and urgency and excitement that came with an outing against Golden State on Thursday night, but a win is a win is a win and a grind-it-out, 106-95 triumph in Cleveland on Saturday night counts exactly the same as Thursday’s heart-stopping overtime victory over the Warriors.

Kawhi Leonard poured in 34 points — his sixth game this season of 30 or more — as the Raptors overcame a rather listless performance all night to register their eighth consecutive victory.