Raptors Win Fourth Straight
Vince Carter may be known for his dunks, but he's developing an outside shot that could make him unstoppable.
Carter, who leads all rookies in scoring, put on a shooting clinic by hitting 10-of-11 from the field as the surprising Toronto Raptors tied a club record with their fourth straight win by beating the Los Angeles Clippers 93-82 Friday night.
"He might have the top five dunks in the NBA just by himself," Charles Oakley said. "But tonight he showed he could hit the jump shot. He's on a roll."
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Earlier in the season, Indiana coach Larry Bird said Carter would be unstoppable if he developed an outside game.
On Friday, the Clippers Tyrone Nesby and Lamond Murray couldn't guard Carter, who made four jumpers from at least 15 feet out.
"Vince showed me some new stuff," Toronto coach Butch Carter said. "He hasn't had a game where he's made that many jump shots, and he was jerking them from all over the place."
Despite being in early foul trouble, Carter scored 14 points in the third quarter, and sparked a 16-6 run with a driving dunk that became a three-point play. After the run, the Raptors were up 15 points and the Clippers could only close within seven points in the fourth quarter.
"Double trouble," said Carter of his ability to dunk and hit the outside shot. "I'm confident shooting the ball right now, I think it's going in when I release the ball."
Doug Christie added 15 points and Carter's cousin Tracy McGrady had 12 rebounds and 10 points off the bench for the surprising Raptors, who improved to 10-12. Toronto didn't win 10 games until their 43rd game last season.
"I have a lot of confidence right now and I feel I can score if we need it," said Carter. "But the main thing is winning, but if they need to me to score 30, 40 points well ... "
Eric Patowski and Rodney Rogers led the Clippers (1-22) with 15 points apiece.
"I'm doing some teaching, but I don't know how much is being absorbed," Clippers coach Chris Ford said.
Notes: Over the last two games Carter has totaled 54 points and 19-of-24 field goals. ... The Raptors reduced ticket prices for the Clippers game. ... Toronto coach Butch Carter said Olowokandi was the only other player the Raptors considered drafting instead of Carter. "He had the best workout, quickness, foot speed, jumping ability. He's just a phenomenal athlete," Carter said. ... The Clippers activated forward Brian Skinner from the injured list. They also placed guard Pooh Richardson on the injured list with a sprained left ankle. ... Willis played for the first time since spraining his left shoulder last week. ... Toronto's six wins at the Air Canada Centre have come by an average of 12 points per game, while their two losses have been by a total of seven points.
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