The Toronto Raptors aren't ready to abandon the top of the NBA's Atlantic Division just yet.

On the strength of 22 points off the bench from Morris Peterson and 20 points from Chris Bosh, the Raptors kicked off a crucial five-game homestand with a 101-85 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Raptors guard T.J. Ford (11) drives to the basket in the Raptors 101-85 win over the Kings on Wednesday.
(Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

The Raptors began the night with a slim lead over the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks in the standings, but their improved play of late combined with a favourable schedule has them thinking playoffs.

The win was Toronto's sixth in its last eight games, good enough to keep them on top in the league's weakest division, despite an overall record of 19-21. The Raptors will play eight of their next 10 games at the Air Canada Centre, where their record is an impressive 11-6.

"We knew that this first game was pretty important for us," Bosh said. "We're trying to get homecourt in the playoffs so we got to play like it."

The Kings are just one of four teams with losing records that Toronto will host during this homestand.

Inconsistent play and trade rumours have dogged Peterson throughout the season but, on Wednesday, he hit eight of his 11 shots from the floor and kept the Raptors close until they could pull away in the final 10 minutes.

Jorge Garbajosa shook off a recent shooting slump to finish with 16 points in addition to six rebounds. Fellow Spaniard Jose Calderon contributed 11 points and nine assists for Toronto and more than made up for a quiet night from starting point guard T.J. Ford, who had six points and six assists.

The Kings (14-22) continue to stumble, dropping seven straight games overall - matching their longest losing streak since 1997-98.

Mike Bibby led the Kings with 21 points, while Ron Artest and Kevin Martin contributed 18 points each. But it was Toronto's depth that would seal the victory as its reserves outscored Sacramento's 50-12.

Raptors heat up in decisive fourth quarter

The two teams swapped leads throughout the game's first three quarters, but Raptors reserves Andrea Bargnani, Joey Graham and Calderon came out firing in the fourth and quickly built a lead that the team wouldn't surrender.

The Kings wound up outscored 33-16 in the fourth quarter as they shot a frigid 6-of-17 from the field.

Toronto had a sizzling night from three-point range, making 8-of-20 shots from behind the arc and 3-of-4 attempts in the final quarter.

"They outplayed us in the fourth quarter, and the only way I know how to get through this thing is to continue to work and try to make progress throughout this losing streak we have," Sacramento coach Eric Musselman said.

The Raptors now prepare to host the Northwest Division-leading Utah Jazz on Friday.

With files from the Associated Press