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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
TORONTO (AP) -- The Toronto Raptors gave the New York Knicks a
dose of defense.
|  | | Vince Carter sliced through the Knicks for 24 points, but he took the most pride in holding New York to its lowest output of the season. |
Vince Carter scored 24 points, including three free throws in the last minute, to give the Toronto Raptors a 70-68
come-from-behind victory over the New York Knicks on Thursday
night.
It was the lowest offensive output of the season for the Knicks,
who rank first in the NBA on defense. New York's previous low was
72 points against Philadelphia Oct. 31.
Carter was 8-of-22 with eight rebounds and four steals in New
York's first visit to Toronto since last year's playoffs.
"It's satisfying," Carter said. "We're trying to establish
ourselves as a defensive team, a team that doesn't back down."
New York shot 38 percent and Toronto only 32 percent. The Raptors, who were swept in the first round of the playoffs, have beaten New York in five straight regular-season games.
With the Raptors trailing 68-67 and 30 seconds remaining in the
game, Carter stole the ball from Allan Houston, went in for a
breakaway, but was fouled by Latrell Sprewell. Carter made both
free throws with 24.5 seconds left to give the Raptors a 69-68
lead.
"I was trying to kick it to Spree," Houston said. "I made a
bad pass, a bad read."
It got worse for the Knicks.
Chris Childs missed a long jumper with 4.2 seconds remaining.
Carter collected the rebound and was fouled. He converted one of
two free throws to make it 70-68.
Houston missed a tough 3-point attempt over Carter at the
buzzer.
"This is how you become an elite team, beating a good ball club
like that," said Mark Jackson, who had seven assists and four
steals. "We had great looks all night, but we couldn't knock them
down. On the other side of the court, though, we have to be pleased
with our defense."
Corliss Williamson had 16 points and nine rebounds for the
Raptors. Charles Oakley added 14 points and 11 rebounds and Antonio
Davis had 10 rebounds.
Latrell Sprewell had 18 points, Kurt Thomas added 12 points and
10 rebounds and Glen Rice had 10 points. Houston shot 4-for-14 for
nine points and had six turnovers. Former Raptor Marcus Camby had
13 rebounds, four blocked shots and four steals.
The Knicks led 66-60 with 4:50 remaining after Sprewell's hit an
outside jumper, but free throws by Oakley, Davis and Carter cut New
York's lead to one point with 1:23 left.
"We got frustrated, what can you say," said Sprewell, who was
matched up against Carter for most of the game. "They played
better than we did in the last three minutes."
The Raptors had a dismal fourth quarter, until the end. They
shot only 14 percent (2-of-14) and went more than six minutes
between baskets as New York assumed the lead for the first time
since the second quarter.
"We fell into a bit of a drought for about six minutes, but we
found a way to win," Oakley said. "If our defense can carry us,
we can go a long way."
New York hasn't allowed more than 100 points in 17 straight
games, a team record.
Sprewell led the Knicks' comeback early in the fourth quarter,
hitting a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws as New York closed
within a point. Kurt Thomas hit an outside shot with 8:44 remaining
and gave New York its first lead since the second quarter, 61-60.
The Raptors jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. The
Knicks whittled away at Toronto's lead and trailed 39-37 at the
intermission.
Carter hit a 3-pointer and followed a steal with a breakaway
dunk early in the third period as Toronto went on a 12-2 run.
Oakley's outside jumper 30 seconds later opened up a 51-41 lead
midway through the quarter.
Larry Johnson, who had four points in 17 minutes, sprained his
right knee and did not play in the second half.
It was the Knicks' first appearance in Toronto since sweeping
the Raptors in the first round of last season's playoffs. Toronto
won the first regular-season meeting in New York 79-75 on Nov. 25.
Game notes
The Raptors' previous record for the fewest combined points
in a game was 149 in a 79-70 loss to Minnesota on Nov. 30, 1996.
... Childs drew a technical with 3:20 left in the game when he
heaved the ball at referee Rashan Michel, just missing him. ...
Carter was held scoreless in the second quarter. ... After Jeff Van
Gundy was given a technical in the third, the stunned coach yelled
at referee Bernie Fryer, "You should have given yourself a T."
... Toronto's Garth Joseph was placed on the injured reserve list
with a strained groin to make room for Kornel David (back spasms).
... George Foreman was courtside. ... Entering the game, New York
and Toronto were two of only six Eastern Conference teams above
.500. They meet again March 4 in Toronto. ... The Raptors are the
only NBA team with two different players (Oakley, Jackson) to
register triple-doubles this season.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
New York Clubhouse
Toronto Clubhouse
RECAPS
Toronto 70
New York 68
Denver 102
San Antonio 96
Houston 98
Golden State 95
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Vince Carter is always happy to get a win when he plays the Knicks.
wav: 65 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Coach Jeff Van Gundy knows his team can not commit late turnovers.
wav: 146 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Vince Carter Official Site
Mark Jackson Official Site
Lenny Wilkens Official Site
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