RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Everybody knew Toronto guard Vince Carter
could pour in points. It was his defense that stood out Thursday
night.
|  | | Toronto's Corliss Williamson shoots over Terry Mills on Thursday. |
Carter, the NBA's leading scorer, had 28 points and helped slow
down Indiana's offense as Toronto tallied 100 points in the last
three quarters to beat the Pacers 111-91.
"Vince is a much better defensive player than a lot of people
give him credit," Raptors coach Lenny Wilkens said.
"He knew he had to chase Reggie (Miller) around the screens.
He's so good, he can play both ends of the floor."
Indiana's Miller managed to squeeze off only 11 shots against
Carter, and finished with 20 points. Jalen Rose made his first
appearance of the season and scored 16 points, but six came in the
final quarter when the outcome already had been determined.
The Pacers have lost four straight games for the first time
since January 1994, and they lost for the first time at home to
Toronto. The hosts even lost their coach, Isiah Thomas, who was
ejected with 48 seconds left in the third quarter after receiving
the first technical foul of his NBA coaching career.
"That's the difference between being a young team and learning
how to win and being a veteran team that understands how to win,"
Rose said. "We're totally embarrassed, this won't be accepted."
The Pacers led 16-11 after one quarter -- the Raptors' lowest
output in a period this season -- while Carter spent four minutes on
the bench.
When Carter returned, however, Toronto looked like an entirely
different team.
The Raptors (6-5) responded with a 6-0 spurt that gave them a
28-25 lead with 7:37 left in the half, and then Carter's 3-pointer
with 3:15 to go ignited a 14-2 run that made it 46-35 at halftime.
"We got through that first quarter," Wilkens said. "After
that, our bench came in and really got us going. From that point
on, our defense improved."
Carter's presence had plenty to do with that.
And he went 9-of-16 from the floor, while handing out give
assists.
The benefactors were players such as reserve Kevin Willis, who
scored 23 points, and former Pacers player Antonio Davis, who added
13 points and 10 rebounds. Three other players, including Mark
Jackson, also reached double figures.
Jackson scored 11 points and had eight assists in his first trip
to Indianapolis since leaving the Pacers after last season.
"It was a special night, coming back to play where I have a lot
of fond memories," Jackson said. "It felt excellent. It shows
they don't forget. It meant a lot, the reception they gave me."
Indiana managed to close to 66-55 with 4:31 left in the third
quarter, but the Raptors immediately extended their lead to 15 --
then let Carter and their defense clamp down again.
"It's taxing but those guys helped me out a lot. (Miller) is
the best at using screens of anybody I've ever seen," Carter said
of his defensive effort. "I was prepared for it. I was mentally
prepared for it."
Game
notes
Jackson received a standing ovation when he was introduced
Thursday. He spent six seasons with the Pacers and is No. 2 on
their career assist list. ... Davis missed time in the second half
after getting elbowed in the head. ... Former UCLA coach John
Wooden, who is 90, walked to midcourt to deliver the game ball
before tipoff. ... The Raptors' 111 points matched the most ever
scored by an opponent at Conseco Fieldhouse in a non-overtime game.
... The Pacers made all 15 of their free-throw attempts, the first
team this season to finish a game at 100 percent.
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