Cavs Rupture Raptors, 97-96

March 27, 1998 / 12:25 AM EST / CBS/AP

The stat sheet may have said Marcus Camby played well, but it was two blown plays in the final seconds that cost the Toronto Raptors the game.

Camby scored 22 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked six shots, but he threw away an inbound pass and missed a putback at the buzzer as the Cleveland Cavaliers escaped with a 97-96 over Toronto on Thursday night.

With Toronto leading 96-95 and 17.5 seconds left, Camby's inbound pass was intercepted by Wesley Person, who passed to Derek Anderson. The Raptors fouled Anderson, who made both free throws.

"I guess I made some mental errors," said Camby, who committed a team-high six turnovers. "John Wallace was open (on the inbound play) and I threw it high, and it was intercepted."

Toronto got the ball back with 11 seconds left. Doug Christie brought the ball upcourt and put up a jump shot. The ball bounced off the rim, and Camby was unable to put the rebound back in as the final horn sounded.

"It was a tough shot," Camby said. "I caught it in the air and tried to turn and shoot, all in one motion."

Shawn Kemp had 19 points and Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Brevin Knight added 17 apiece for Cleveland, which moved 2 ½ games ahead of the New Jersey Nets and Washington Wizards, who are tied for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Christie had 26 points to lead the Raptors, who have lost four in a row and 10 of their last 12. Christie also scored 14 points from the free-throw line, tying a team record. Dee Brown added 18 points for Toronto.

Camby was also involved in an altercation at the end of the third quarter that led to the ejection of Toronto's Oliver Miller and Cleveland's Danny Ferry.

After Ferry missed a layup at the buzzer, he was bumped by Wallace. Ferry bumped him back, then moments later Raptors forward Gary Trent came off the bench to throw a cup of water and a towel at Ferry. Camby also got off the bench to give Ferry a shove.

"That was probably not too smart to start pushing right in front of their bench," Ferry said.

Toronto coach Butch Carter said he expects Trent and Camby will be disciplined by NBA senior vice-president of operations Rod Thorn for their actions.

"I imagine the dean of discipline, Rod Thorn, will be calling (Toronto GM) Glen Grunwald with some very bad news," Carter said.

Notes: Trent was playing for the first time since missing 11 games with a hip flexor.... Raptors rookie Tracy McGrady missed the game after injuring his right hand on Tuesday night.... Raptors guard Alvin Williams, who hasn't played since being traded from Portland on Feb. 18 because of knee surgery, is due back in the lineup on Sunday.