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Sunday, Jan. 9 3:00pm ET
Shareef drops 29 points on Raptors | |||||
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 GAME FLOW
TORONTO (AP) -- With Brian Hill gone, the Vancouver Grizzlies are happier and more successful. Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 29 points, making 15 of 16 free throws Sunday as the Grizzlies beat the Toronto Raptors 107-97. "We're having fun now," Vancouver point guard Mike Bibby said. "We weren't having fun before and that hurt the way some of us were playing." The Grizzlies, 5-6 under new coach Lionel Hollins, have won three of their last four road games, also beating Miami and New Jersey. Hill was fired on Dec. 16. "Lionel has imposed his personality on this team," Abdur-Rahim said. "He's a winner. He played on winning teams and he's used to being a winner. We've grown a lot and Lionel is helping us grow." Abdur-Rahim scored 16 points in the third quarter, going 10-for-10 from the line. Vancouver, which made just 10 baskets in the second half, made 40 of 46 free-throw attempts. "Anytime you put a team on the line 40 times is ridiculous," Toronto coach Butch Carter said. "I thought I was back coaching high school and my local competitor brought his three cousins." The Raptors, just 10-8 at the Air Canada Centre, were within five early in the fourth quarter, but the Grizzlies took a 10-point lead on Grant Long's dunk, Milt Palacio's jumper and Michael Dickerson's three-point play. Toronto didn't get closer than six after that. Antonio Davis' layup and Tracy McGrady's free throw made it 97-91 with one minute remaining, but Palacio and Mike Bibby each made 1 of 2 free-throwattempts, giving Vancouver a 99-91 lead. Bibby's two free throws with 20 seconds remaining made it 107-97. "Everyone is playing together. Lionel is doing a great job of bringing everyone's individual talent out," Dickerson said. Dickerson scored 21, Othella Harrington had 16, and Bibby had 11 points and six assists. Palacio had 11 points in a reserve role. Vancouver guard Dennis Scott said Hollins has made a big difference. "I think the guys are looking forward to practice, whereas before it was like 'Oh man, we got to practice,' " Scott said. "It transfers over to the game." Vince Carter, who appears to be over the disappointment of not making the Unites States Olympic team, had 20 points and 10 rebounds for Toronto. The Grizzlies shot 51 percent and led 55-44 at halftime. "They like Lionel and they are playing for him. Will they be able to sustain it? For Lionel, I hope so," Carter said. Game notesThe Raptors were 16 for 22 from the line. ... The Grizzlies scored their first eight points in the third quarter from the line. ... Abdur-Rahim and Toronto's Charles Oakley fouled out late in the fourth quarter. ... The two Canadian teams are 4-4 against each other. ... During Hill's tenure, the Grizzlies were 31-123. | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Vancouver Clubhouse Toronto Clubhouse RECAPS Vancouver 107 Toronto 97
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