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Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published November 24, 2000
Final three quarters redeem Raptors INDIANAPOLIS -- After a poor first quarter, Vince Carter and the Toronto Raptors could not be stopped.
Carter, the NBA's leading scorer, had 28 points as Toronto scored 100 points in the last three quarters to beat the Pacers 111-91 Thursday night.
The Pacers led 16-11 after one period after an 8-0 run with Carter on the bench with two fouls. But they then stumbled to their fourth straight defeat, Indiana's longest losing streak since January 1994.
Indiana even lost its coach in the third quarter when Isiah Thomas drew the first two technicals of his NBA coaching career and was ejected.
It was that kind of night for Indiana.
Jalen Rose played his first game of the season and scored 16 points, six in the final quarter. Forward Austin Croshere sprained his left ankle midway through the fourth quarter and did not return.
The 11-point first period was Toronto's lowest output in a quarter this season. The Raptors went scoreless for the last six minutes. But they looked like a different team when Carter returned to the court and went on to their first victory at Indiana.
BULLS: After Wednesday's 29-point debacle in Sacramento, coach Tim Floyd hinted at lineup changes for his 1-11 team when the trip resumes and concludes Sunday in Toronto.
"If we don't get better play from our guards, there's a chance we're going to go with Fred Hoiberg and Ron Mercer and Ron Artest at the same time," Floyd said. "We've got to get more play out of our point guards right now."
Rookies A.J. Guyton and Khalid El-Amin have alternated as starters.
BULLS: After Wednesday's 29-point debacle in Sacramento, coach Tim Floyd hinted at lineup changes for his 1-11 team when the trip resumes and concludes Sunday in Toronto.
"If we don't get better play from our guards, there's a chance we're going to go with Fred Hoiberg and Ron Mercer and Ron Artest at the same time," Floyd said. "We've got to get more play out of our point guards right now."
Rookies A.J. Guyton and Khalid El-Amin have alternated as starters.
HAWKS: Guard Jim Jackson was scheduled to have an MRI exam today after injuring his right knee in Wednesday's 78-74 victory over the New York Knicks. The preliminary diagnosis was a sprained medial collateral ligament.
MAGIC: Tracy McGrady watched his left hand swell up like a balloon Thursday morning when a three-stitch cut got infected, forcing him to miss practice. He was questionable for tonight's game against Boston.
LAKERS: Kobe Bryant was moved from shooting forward back to shooting guard Wednesday night against Golden State. Shooting guard is his old position, the one in which he opened the season's first six games. Bryant said he doesn't have a preference. Coach Phil Jackson said Bryant's position could come down to matchups.
PACERS: Starting center Sam Perkins was placed on the injured list before the Toronto game. Perkins, 39, bothered by back spasms, played eight minutes Tuesday night against Houston.
The Pacers activated forward-center Terry Mills from the injured list to take Perkins' spot. Mills was sidelined by degenerative arthritis in his left knee.
WARRIORS: Forward Danny Fortson had surgery Wednesday to repair a fifth metatarsal stress fracture in his right foot. Fortson will keep the foot immobilized for eight weeks and then begin rehabilitation.