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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Charles Oakley thinks the Toronto Raptors seem to have found the right mix of talented young players
and seasoned veterans.
| | Jim McIlvaine, left, blocked this shot, but Alvin Williams and the Raptors laughed last. |
The combination worked Friday night as emerging star Vince Carter scored 26 points and 14-year veteran Kevin Willis added 20 as the Raptors rolled to a 112-92 victory over the winless New Jersey Nets.
"It's only three games and we still have a lot of work to do,
especially on the defensive end, but this was a good game for us
especially coming on a back-to-back," said Oakley, also a 14-year
vet.
"As long as we understand our roles and continue to work hard,
this team has a lot of talent and a lot of weapons."
Carter, the second-year swingman, feels Toronto has put its game
together with victories over Miami and New Jersey after a
season-opening loss to Boston.
"The first game was ugly," Carter said, "but tonight we executed and that made everything easier. We'll try to keep it going from here."
The Nets fell behind almost immediately as Toronto snapped a 4-4
deadlock with 9-2 spurt that included Carter's three-point play.
New Jersey tallied just two points in the first 6:06 of the
second quarter as the Raptors opened a 47-31 edge behind Willis'
eight points.
Two free throws by Jamie Feick and a jumper by Stephon Marbury allowed New Jersey to cut the deficit to 65-50 at halftime.
"To be honest I don't know what to say," said Marbury, who was
10-of-26 and had only three assists as the Nets dropped their third
straight. "And when you don't know what to say, you should say
nothing. But I've never felt like this, never."
Carter, who had 12 third-quarter points, opened the second half
with a basket and two free throws. New Jersey was unable to get
closer than 15 the rest of the way.
"I've told the players to be disappointed but not to get despondent," Nets coach Don Casey said. "We still have 79 more to go."
With Carter on the bench most of the fourth quarter, the Raptors
opened their biggest lead at 102-75 on two free throws by Willis.
Tracy McGrady added 16 for the Raptors and Doug Christie and Antonio Davis each had 12. Toronto shot 50.6 from the field and outrebounded the Nets 52-38.
Marbury led the Nets with 25 points, Lucioud Harris had 19 and Keith Van Horn 16. New Jersey shot 38.2.
Game notes This was Toronto's first road game of the season. ...
The Raptors play five of their first seven games at home. ... This
was the first of three straight home games for the Nets, who then
play six of eight on the road. ... New Jersey came into the game
ranked 23rd in shooting percentage at 39.3.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Toronto Clubhouse
New Jersey Clubhouse
RECAPS
Boston 103 Charlotte 100
Toronto 112 New Jersey 92
Cleveland 104 Orlando 99
New York 103 Detroit 91
San Antonio 95 Houston 85
Miami 105 Chicago 87
Portland 95 Denver 83
LA Clippers 91 Philadelphia 81
Sacramento 100 Minnesota 95
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