ESPN Network: ESPN.com | NFL.com | NBA.com | NHL.com | NASCAR | WNBA.com | ABCSports | EXPN | FANTASY | INSIDER

  Scores/Schedules
  Standings
  Statistics
  Transactions
  Injuries
  Players
  Message Board
  NBA StatSearch
  NBA en espaņol
Clubhouses





Thursday, Dec. 14 8:00pm ET
Knicks taste their own defensive medicine

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

TORONTO (AP) -- The Toronto Raptors gave the New York Knicks a dose of defense.

Vince Carter
Vince Carter sliced through the Knicks for 24 points, but he took the most pride in holding New York to its lowest output of the season.

Vince Carter scored 24 points, including three free throws in the last minute, to give the Toronto Raptors a 70-68 come-from-behind victory over the New York Knicks on Thursday night.

It was the lowest offensive output of the season for the Knicks, who rank first in the NBA on defense. New York's previous low was 72 points against Philadelphia Oct. 31.

Carter was 8-of-22 with eight rebounds and four steals in New York's first visit to Toronto since last year's playoffs.

"It's satisfying," Carter said. "We're trying to establish ourselves as a defensive team, a team that doesn't back down."

New York shot 38 percent and Toronto only 32 percent. The Raptors, who were swept in the first round of the playoffs, have beaten New York in five straight regular-season games.

With the Raptors trailing 68-67 and 30 seconds remaining in the game, Carter stole the ball from Allan Houston, went in for a breakaway, but was fouled by Latrell Sprewell. Carter made both free throws with 24.5 seconds left to give the Raptors a 69-68 lead.

"I was trying to kick it to Spree," Houston said. "I made a bad pass, a bad read."

It got worse for the Knicks.

Chris Childs missed a long jumper with 4.2 seconds remaining. Carter collected the rebound and was fouled. He converted one of two free throws to make it 70-68.

Houston missed a tough 3-point attempt over Carter at the buzzer.

"This is how you become an elite team, beating a good ball club like that," said Mark Jackson, who had seven assists and four steals. "We had great looks all night, but we couldn't knock them down. On the other side of the court, though, we have to be pleased with our defense."

Corliss Williamson had 16 points and nine rebounds for the Raptors. Charles Oakley added 14 points and 11 rebounds and Antonio Davis had 10 rebounds.

Latrell Sprewell had 18 points, Kurt Thomas added 12 points and 10 rebounds and Glen Rice had 10 points. Houston shot 4-for-14 for nine points and had six turnovers. Former Raptor Marcus Camby had 13 rebounds, four blocked shots and four steals.

The Knicks led 66-60 with 4:50 remaining after Sprewell's hit an outside jumper, but free throws by Oakley, Davis and Carter cut New York's lead to one point with 1:23 left.

"We got frustrated, what can you say," said Sprewell, who was matched up against Carter for most of the game. "They played better than we did in the last three minutes."

The Raptors had a dismal fourth quarter, until the end. They shot only 14 percent (2-of-14) and went more than six minutes between baskets as New York assumed the lead for the first time since the second quarter.

"We fell into a bit of a drought for about six minutes, but we found a way to win," Oakley said. "If our defense can carry us, we can go a long way."

New York hasn't allowed more than 100 points in 17 straight games, a team record.

Sprewell led the Knicks' comeback early in the fourth quarter, hitting a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws as New York closed within a point. Kurt Thomas hit an outside shot with 8:44 remaining and gave New York its first lead since the second quarter, 61-60.

The Raptors jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. The Knicks whittled away at Toronto's lead and trailed 39-37 at the intermission.

Carter hit a 3-pointer and followed a steal with a breakaway dunk early in the third period as Toronto went on a 12-2 run. Oakley's outside jumper 30 seconds later opened up a 51-41 lead midway through the quarter.

Larry Johnson, who had four points in 17 minutes, sprained his right knee and did not play in the second half.

It was the Knicks' first appearance in Toronto since sweeping the Raptors in the first round of last season's playoffs. Toronto won the first regular-season meeting in New York 79-75 on Nov. 25.

Game notes
The Raptors' previous record for the fewest combined points in a game was 149 in a 79-70 loss to Minnesota on Nov. 30, 1996. ... Childs drew a technical with 3:20 left in the game when he heaved the ball at referee Rashan Michel, just missing him. ... Carter was held scoreless in the second quarter. ... After Jeff Van Gundy was given a technical in the third, the stunned coach yelled at referee Bernie Fryer, "You should have given yourself a T." ... Toronto's Garth Joseph was placed on the injured reserve list with a strained groin to make room for Kornel David (back spasms). ... George Foreman was courtside. ... Entering the game, New York and Toronto were two of only six Eastern Conference teams above .500. They meet again March 4 in Toronto. ... The Raptors are the only NBA team with two different players (Oakley, Jackson) to register triple-doubles this season.


ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard

New York Clubhouse

Toronto Clubhouse


RECAPS
Toronto 70
New York 68

Denver 102
San Antonio 96

Houston 98
Golden State 95

AUDIO/VIDEO
audio
 Vince Carter is always happy to get a win when he plays the Knicks.
wav: 65 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6

 Coach Jeff Van Gundy knows his team can not commit late turnovers.
wav: 146 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6

FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT

Vince Carter Official Site

Mark Jackson Official Site

Lenny Wilkens Official Site


ESPN.com:  HELP |  ADVERTISER INFO |  CONTACT US |  TOOLS |  SITE MAP
Copyright ©2000 ESPN Internet Group. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. Employment opportunities at ESPN.com.