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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Without the motivation of playing Vince
Carter, the Portland Trail Blazers nearly let a game slip away to
an ordinary Toronto team.
Rasheed Wallace had 20 points and a season-high 13 rebounds as
Portland extended the Raptors' struggles without their superstar,
winning 95-88 Wednesday night.
Wallace missed 12 of his first 17 shots, but scored nine points
in the final five minutes to help Portland fend off one last
challenge.
"Rasheed made some big shots when we needed to make big shots,
and that's what it's all about," coach Mike Dunleavy said.
"That's why he was an All-Star last year, and I think he'll be one
this year."
Down 10 with just over seven minutes to go, Toronto continued to
hit long jump shots. A 20-footer by Dell Curry cut the lead to
90-86 with 1:42 left.
Wallace hit a free throw, and Steve Smith scored the Blazers'
final four points to seal it.
The Raptors have lost four of their five games without Carter,
who has a strained left quadriceps and could make his return Friday
night at Golden State.
Antonio Davis had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Kevin Willis
had a season-high 16 rebounds for the Raptors, who also were
without Charles Oakley. He served the last game of his three-game
suspension for punching the Los Angeles Clippers' Jeff McInnis
during a pregame shootaround last week.
Even short-handed, Toronto impressed coach Lenny Wilkens by not
giving up, one night after playing at Utah.
"You take two starters off a team, and you really struggle," Wilkens said. "We played a tough game (Tuesday) night, and of course Portland came out and pressed us. They had to take advantage of whatever situations they could find. But we've got nothing to be
ashamed of."
Damon Stoudamire added 21 points and seven assists for the
Blazers. Shawn Kemp had one of his best games for Portland, getting
12 points and six rebounds with no turnovers in 25 minutes.
Before the game, Carter said he was feeling better and wanted to
play, but that the team trainer wouldn't clear him.
"It's hard just to sit on the bench, especially when you feel
better. You think you can play, but yet, you can't," Carter said.
The Blazers used a 10-0 run to break open a close game late in
the third quarter. Stoudamire hit two jumpers, and Bonzi Wells had
a layup and fed Stacey Augmon on a two-handed dunk for a 66-58
lead. Wells, Kemp and Dale Davis all had steals during the run.
"The coach told us that the second unit had to run and keep
pressure on them, and just wear them down, and that's what we
did," Wells said.
Antonio Davis and Corliss Williamson hurt their team's chances
by making just 5 of 11 shots from the line in the period.
Willis had his second straight terrific game. The 38-year-old
forward played a season-high 43 minutes Tuesday night, and logged
42 against the Blazers. In the two games, he had 26 rebounds.
Portland trailed 17-12 late in the first quarter, but surged
ahead with a 14-2 run in the second, finished off by a superb fast
break. Wells had a steal and threw a pass too wide for Augmon under
the basket, but Augmon caught it with his left hand and, in the
same motion, flipped the ball to Wallace, who hit a leaning bank
shot and got fouled. The free throw put the Blazers ahead 35-23.
The Raptors got back into the game when Portland missed 11 of
its first 14 shots in the third. A 20-foot jumper by Williamson
bounced straight up and in for a 50-49 lead.
Game notes
Curry had 11 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and
Alvin Williams, a former Blazer, had eight of his 17 points in the
final period to keep the Raptors close. ... Wallace received his
league-leading 11th technical foul in the third quarter for tossing
the ball at referee Hank Armstrong's back after an offensive foul.
... The Raptors have averaged 89.6 points over the last five games,
compared with 96.2 before Carter's injury.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Toronto Clubhouse
Portland Clubhouse
 FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Vince Carter Official Site
Mark Jackson Official Site
Lenny Wilkens Official Site
Mike Dunleavy Official Site
RECAPS
LA Clippers 93
Washington 88
Charlotte 91
Indiana 88
Miami 95
Denver 78
Milwaukee 109
New Jersey 87
Cleveland 92
Chicago 88
Dallas 94
New York 85
Portland 95
Toronto 88
Detroit 112
Seattle 99
Golden State 125
LA Lakers 122
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