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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
TORONTO (AP) -- Everything went right for Sam Perkins on another
day when things continued to go bad for the Toronto Raptors.
Perkins made all six of his 3-point attempts and scored a
season-high 22 points as the Indiana Pacers embarrassed Toronto on
NBC in a 104-83 rout Sunday.
|  | | Sam Perkins, who scored a season-high 22 points, beats Toronto's John Thomas to the ball. |
Perkins, who had missed 17 of his previous 22 3-point attempts,
was left wide open against the Raptors, who have lost seven of
their last eight games.
"I'm going to do everything in my power to avoid what happened
last season," said Toronto coach Butch Carter, whose team lost 13
of their last 17 games to fall out of postseason contention last
year. "We have to find a way to address what is going on."
Vince Carter left the game in the third quarter with what the
Raptors called a bruised right shoulder.
Carter, who was bumped in the second quarter, winced as he threw
a pass to Dee Brown early in the third. He was examined by team
doctors and didn't return. X-rays were negative, but Carter had
trouble raising his arm after the game.
He was to be re-evaluated Sunday night.
Jalen Rose, who guarded Carter for most of the game, had a
team-high 23.
"We all sat and watched how Vince Carter scored 51 in his NBC
debut, so we didn't want to be any team's sideshow," Rose said.
The Pacers were 10-for-22 from behind the arc, while the Raptors
were just 2-for-16.
Tracy McGrady, who led Toronto with 24 points, said some of his
teammates have a problem with Butch Carter.
"Some of the guys are upset about playing time," McGrady said.
Carter looked miffed when told of McGrady's comments.
"I'll have to talk to Tracy," he said.
The Pacers led by 15 at the half as Perkins made four 3s, then
were ahead by 16 heading into the fourth when Perkins sparked an
8-2 run with a 3-pointer. Austin Croshere followed with a 19-foot
jumper over Charles Oakley, and Reggie Miller hit a 3 to give the
Pacers an 85-63 lead.
Perkins' 3 with 3:50 remaining gave Indiana a 96-74 lead.
Rose said he thought Toronto looked distracted.
"Any time you drop seven of your last eight there is going to
be a little uncertainty in the locker room amongst the players and
the coaches," Rose said. "A lot of people are probably ready to
push the panic button, but they can't get caught up in that. Once
they win they'll be OK."
Game notes
The Raptors have stepped up their efforts to re-sign
McGrady this summer. The club handed out "Come back T-Mac" signs
to their fans. One group of fans had each letter of that slogan
painted on their chests. ... Butch Carter and his brother Chris,
who plays for the NFL Minnesota Vikings, previewed their book
"Born To Believe" before the game. It details the qualities they
adopted in their quest to be sports stars and role models. ... Mark
Jackson had eight of his 10 assists in the first quarter. ... The
Pacers were 7-of-13 from long range in the first half. ... The
Raptors went to the line just two times in the first half.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Indiana Clubhouse
Toronto Clubhouse
RECAPS
Detroit 113
New Jersey 92
Phoenix 87
Minnesota 86
Sacramento 117
Philadelphia 95
Indiana 104
Toronto 83
LA Lakers 106
New York 82
Miami 88
San Antonio 84
Chicago 83
Cleveland 74
Milwaukee 117
Golden State 113
Portland 95
Seattle 82
Dallas 100
Vancouver 86
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