PHILADELPHIA — When it comes down to it, Kyle Lowry draws a line in the sand. He’s pure and loyal in all of his relationships. One of his best friends, Jimmy Butler, stars on the opposing 76ers in this Eastern Conference semifinals series currently tied at 2-2.



“That’s my guy,” Lowry says. “We’re always going to keep it 100.”



But on the court, Butler and Lowry went toe to toe on Sunday in Game 4 and Lowry’s aggressive start helped lead Toronto to a 101-96 victory inside the Wells Fargo Center. In the Raptors’ most critical game of the season, Lowry had 14 points, seven assists and six rebounds and supplied the energy, grittiness and chippy play that has defined him.



And when Lowry’s Raptors traded his close friend and fellow backcourt All-Star mate DeMar DeRozan, Lowry chose his side to support. DeRozan felt betrayed after being traded to the San Antonio Spurs, a trade that brought the Raptors...