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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
TORONTO (AP) -- The struggling Washington Wizards didn't look too interested Friday night, showing little emotion as the Raptors handed them their ninth straight loss, 101-79.
"It was the first time in a long time we just did not play with
the focus that we've been playing with," Wizards coach Leonard
Hamilton said. "When you're in a stretch like we are now, it can
weigh on you. This was not one of our better games."
Vince Carter led the way with 25 points as the Raptors played a
sound defensive game to hand Hall of Fame coach Lenny Wilkens his
1,200th career victory.
"We accomplished what we wanted and that was four quarters of basketball," Carter said. "We played with confidence on defense."
The Wizards had only three players score in double digits. Juwan
Howard had 14, Felipe Lopez 13 and Tyrone Nesby 11.
"It's a mental drain -- you lose no matter what. It's tough to take anything out of it," said Howard, whose team also lost nine in a row earlier in the season. "They have one of the best fast break offensive teams."
Former Wizard Tracy Murray had 16 points and Morris Peterson
added 11. Charles Oakley had 10 rebounds and four blocks.
The Raptors, coming off a big road win in San Antonio on Wednesday, led by as many as 30 points in winning for the fifth time in six games.
"Our defense really won the game for us," Peterson said.
"(Wilkens) said during the shootaround that you can't just look at
their record. If you give them confidence you let them back in the
game."
The Wizards shot only 38 percent while the Raptors shot 51
percent from the field.
Wilkens inserted all 11 of his players into the game by the
second quarter.
"You can't take this team lightly. They came in with nothing to lose," Wilkens said. "If you let them in the game you'll have a game. They've beaten some good teams."
Toronto closed out the half with a 53-37 lead when Alvin
Williams took an inbound passs with five seconds left and found a
wide-open lane for an easy layup.
Toronto outshot Washington 51 to 36 percent after the first
half.
"We did exactly what we we're supposed to do," said Raptors
guard Mark Jackson, who had seven points. "Everybody got
involved."
The Wizards, who have the longest current losing streak in the
NBA, have also lost 10 straight on the road.
"We're not even playing well in our own building," said Howard
of their road woes. "Each and every one of us has to look deep
within ourselves to see what we need to do different to turn this
around."
The Wizards, still without starters Rod Strickland (left
shoulder) and Mitch Richmond (left knee), looked out of sync and
struggled to gain any momentum as the Raptors opened a 22-point
lead late in the third quarter.
"It's tough. We all want to come out and win basketball
games," said Wizards Richard Hamilton, who had nine points.
"Toronto played great. We can't take anything away from them. They
ran up and down the floor."
Peterson made a nice off-balance layup and Carter hit a
3-pointer to make it 64-45 midway through the quarter. Peterson hit
his own 3-pointer 30 seconds later and Carter connected on an
alley-oop to give Toronto a 69-50 lead with 4:15 left.
Murray, who spent four full seasons in Washington, faced his
former team for the first time since being dealt to Denver in
September.
"I was trying to run the floor and get in position to receive
the ball," Murray said. "We took advantage of mismatches all
night. Every win is a total team effort. Vince will have great
nights, but he knows you need a good supporting cast.
Game notes
Carter, who won the Slam Dunk contest last year, told the
NBA on Friday he wouldn't defend his title. ... Toronto is 9-2 at
home versus Washington. ... The Raptors begin a four-game road trip
Sunday in Philadelphia and then face former Raptor Tracy McGrady
and the Magic on Tuesday. ... The Raptors are the NBA's top
rebounding team. ... The Wizards' last win on the road was against
the Clippers, 103-94 on Dec. 17. ... Former Raptor Popeye Jones
received a warm applause when he entered the game.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Washington Clubhouse
Toronto Clubhouse
RECAPS
Philadelphia 97
New Jersey 86
Toronto 101
Washington 79
Milwaukee 105
Charlotte 98
New York 97
Detroit 91
Denver 91
Cleveland 88
Golden State 103
Phoenix 95
Minnesota 98
Seattle 93
Miami 97
Vancouver 86
LA Lakers 114
Houston 101
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Vince Carter Official Site
Mark Jackson Official Site
Lenny Wilkens Official Site
Juwan Howard Official Site
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