The Toronto Raptors poured in the most points in a quarter in NBA history on the way to a 125-110 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday.

The Raptors started the game on fire, shooting 20-for-28 from the field and 6-for-9 from beyond the arc en route to their 49-point explosion in the first quarter.

Toronto broke their previous record from 26 years ago when the team dropped 48 points in the first quarter against the New Jersey Nets on January 11, 1997.

Guard Fred VanVleet led the way with 14 of his game-high 36 points in the opening frame, including four 3-pointers. The 29-year-old eventually finished with a season-high eight 3-pointers.

"We came out with great pace, shared the ball, the ball was moving, trusting the pass and making shots," said VanVleet.

VanVleet and his teammates were in control for nearly the entire game, leading by as many as 24 and never surrendering their lead. Denver cut the lead to three at the start of the fourth quarter before Toronto closed out the game on a 25-13 run to put the result beyond doubt.

Forward O.G. Anunoby poured in 24 points, including four 3-pointers. Big man Jakob Poeltl added 12 points and 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double since joining three weeks ago from San Antonio.

With the win, Toronto improve to 33-36 on the season and 21-13 at home. The Raptors have now won a season-best five games in a row at Scotiabank Arena, dating back to February 12.

Toronto currently sit in ninth place with a one-game lead over the Washington Wizards and the Chicago Bulls, and trail the eighth-placed Atlanta Hawks by one game.

With 13 games remaining, the Raptors appear destined for the play-in tournament, where the 7th-10th seeds will compete for the final two playoff spots in each conference.

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