Nets extend win streak to 10 games with victory over Raptors

By Steve Keating

TORONTO (Reuters) – Vince Carter scored 42 points,
including a game winning three-pointer with less than a second
to play, lifting the New Jersey Nets to a 105-104 victory over
the Toronto Raptors on Sunday

The contest was a showdown between two of the NBA’s hottest
teams and the win extended the Nets’ winning streak to 10
games.

The Raptors were unbeaten in five and looked poised to
improve on their mark after taking a 98-90 lead with less than
three minutes to play.

But Carter responded with a dazzling 24 point display in
the final quarter against his former team, taking charge down
the stretch and scoring the final 10 points for the Nets.

Trailing 103-100 with 21 seconds to play, Carter drained a
pair of free throws to get the Nets within one until Jose
Calderon hit one of two free throw attempts to put Toronto back
in front 104-102.

With time ticking off the clock, Carter took the ball four
feet beyond the arc and nailed the game winner to silence the
crowd at the Air Canada Center who had lustily booed him each
time he touched the ball.

The Nets unbeaten run is their longest since a franchise
record 14 game streak in 2004 and has been keyed by an inspired
Carter, who has averaged more than 30 points during the
stretch.

Jason Kidd also made a major contribution to the victory,
hitting for 22 points and dishing out 15 assists.

The only sour note in the win for the Nets was the loss of
Richard Jefferson, who left the game early in the opening
quarter with back spasms.

Carter’s performance overshadowed another fine effort from
Raptors Chris Bosh who scored 27 points and pulled down seven
rebounds.

Mike James had 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists
in the loss.

In New York, Stephon Marbury and Maurice Taylor both netted
23 points helping the improving Knicks to their third straight
win in a 120-116 decision over the Seattle SuperSonics.

Marbury also had a season high 15 assists in the win while
Eddy Curry contributed 22 points to the Knicks total.

Ray Allen scored 33 points and Vladimir Radmanovic had a
career high 30 points in the loss for the SuperSonics.