TNT Sports
Toronto punish Portland
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Published 12/01/2004 at 08:33 GMT
Vince Carter had 20 points, seven assists, six rebounds and four blocks Sunday as the Toronto Raptors downed the Portland Trail Blazers 83-72, rebounding from a fizzling 68-78 loss to the shorthanded Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
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Carter scored just 12 points in that game as fans booed the Raptors off the court.
The post-game reception was much warmer on Sunday, thanks to Carter's efforts and 16 points and 11 rebounds from Donyell Marshall, who managed just two points on Friday.
"Everybody's going to have bad games," Carter said. "Everybody's allowed to have bad games."
"We came out with a lot of energy. Ugly wins, good wins, it doesn't really matter. We just need to get as far over .500 as we can before the All-Star Game and then get in position for a (good) playoff spot."
The Raptors did improve to 19-16 as all five starters scored in double-figures, including Jalen Rose, who had 17 points.
Lonny Baxter added 10 points and six rebounds for Toronto, which plays seven of its next eight games on the road after a five-game homestand.
"Home or away, it doesn't matter," Rose said. "We just have to win games wherever we play and if we work like this, we'll win on the road too."
The Trail Blazers don't win on the road very often and have a woeful 2-16 record on their travels this season.
Jeff McInnis led Portland in scoring with 20 points, while Zach Randolph added 10 as the Blazers played their second straight game without Rasheed Wallace, who is out with a sprained left ankle.
Portland fell behind by 16 points in the fourth quarter and never really threatened at any time, despite 15 points and 13 rebounds from Dale Davis.
"We never could get on a run," Davis admitted. "You have to give them (the Raptors) credit. Every time we attempted a run, they came up with a big stop or a big play."
Portland slipped to 16-19 with the loss.
Detroit 115-102 Dallas
In other NBA play, Ben Wallace had 17 points and 13 rebounds to guide the Pistons to a 115-102 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Detroit.
Chauncey Billups had a team-high 27 points and Chucky Atkins chipped in with 18 to push the Pistons to their eighth straight victory.
It was the first time this season that Detroit allowed 100 points.
Steve Nash had 18 points and 10 assists and Dirk Nowitzki added 14 points and 15 rebounds.
Boston 97-93 Houston
In Houston, Paul Pierce scored 27 points to pace the Boston Celtics to a 97-93 win over the Rockets.
Jiri Welsch and Walter McCarty each scored 21 points to give the Celtics their third straight victory.
Jim Jackson scored 26 points and Steve Francis managed 19 for the Rockets.
Sacramento 117-106 Denver
In Sacramento, Peja Stojakovic poured in 33 points to push the Kings to a 117-106 win over the Denver Nuggets.
Mike Bibby, with 18 points, and Bobby Jackson, with 16, were among six Kings who scored in double digits.
Carmelo Anthony had 22 points and 12 rebounds for Denver while Andre Miller led the Nuggets with 30 points.
Memphis 108-107 L.A. Clippers
In Los Angeles, Stromile Swift scored 24 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 108-107 overtime win over the Clippers.
Corey Maggette scored 21 points while Elton Brand had 17 points and 12 rebounds for Los Angeles.
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