ESPN Network: ESPN.com | NFL.com | NBA.com | NHL.com | NASCAR | WNBA.com | ABCSports | EXPN | FANTASY | INSIDER

  Scores/Schedules
  Standings
  Statistics
  Transactions
  Injuries
  Players
  Message Board
  NBA StatSearch
  NBA en espaņol
Clubhouses





Thursday, Nov. 23 8:00pm ET
Carter lifts Raptors to rout

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Everybody knew Toronto guard Vince Carter could pour in points. It was his defense that stood out Thursday night.

Corliss Williamson
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.


NBA Scoreboard

Toronto Clubhouse

Indiana Clubhouse


ESPN.com:  HELP |  ADVERTISER INFO |  CONTACT US |  TOOLS |  SITE MAP
Copyright ©2000 ESPN Internet Group. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. Employment opportunities at ESPN.com.