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Tough time for Toronto Slumping Raptors lose game, ground to Hornets
Posted: Saturday April 01, 2000 12:52 AM
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- The Charlotte Hornets aren't looking up in the standings at the Toronto Raptors anymore. With a 110-101 overtime victory Friday night, the Hornets moved a half-game ahead of Toronto. "We weren't going to let them impose their will on us in our stadium," Anthony Mason said after scoring a career-high 31 points and getting his second triple-double in the past three games. "We knew it was going to be a dogfight," Mason said. "We were able to impose our will on them in overtime." Mason also had 14 rebounds and a season-high 11 assists as the Hornets scored eight straight points in overtime to clinch their fifth straight win and overtake slumping Toronto for fifth place in the East. Mason also was 15-for-15 from the free-throw line and has hit 26 in a row. Hornets coach Paul Silas tried to praise all his players, but he focused on Mason. "Mase has been on a tear lately," he said. "He's really found himself. ... He's largely responsible for the streak we're on."
Besides his offensive feats, Mason also found the energy to guard Toronto's Vince Carter, who scored a team-high 31 points but hit only 12 of 30 shots from the field. "We just have to shake it off," Carter said. "It's rough time for us right now. Things didn't go our way." Raptors coach Butch Carter said the Hornets pushed his players around when it counted the most. "We should have made plays down the stretch, but we did not handle that well," he said. "I think we will continue to improve in these kinds of situations as we mature." The Raptors have lost six of their past seven games. Eddie Jones, who led all scorers with 32, got the Hornets started in the overtime period with a jumper from the corner. After Carter tied it with a jumper, Mason got the Hornets started on the 8-0 run to seal the win. After Charles Oakley fouled him, Mason hit both free throws. David Wesley followed that with a jumper, and the Raptors never recovered. Tracy McGrady scored 16 points for Toronto, and Kevin Willis added 14. Wesley had 18 points for the Hornets, who shot 49 percent from the field but were outrebounded 45-40.
Notes: The marquee matchup was a sellout at the Charlotte Coliseum, where paid attendance has averaged about 17,500. ... Jones was quoted in news reports as saying that the club's uncertain arena future will be a factor when he decides whether to re-sign with Charlotte or pursue free agency. ... Hornets forward Derrick Coleman did not play because of an inflamed knee. ... The Raptors have lost nine of their past 11 games with Charlotte, including the past five in Charlotte.
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