Toronto Raptors Team Report - March 22

(Basketball News) - The Raptors managed a huge 121-120 overtime win over the New Orleans Hornets along the Bayou Sunday night.

Vince Carter scored eight of his 42 points in overtime, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 18 seconds left, as the Raptors picked up the win. Carter was 13-of-20 from the field and 12-of-13 from the foul line. He also tied a career-high with 12 assists and also pulled down six rebounds.

Carter is averaging 27.6 points in 10 contests since returning from a sprained left ankle March 2.

Jalen Rose collected 26 points and nine assists for Toronto, which has won three of its last four games. Chris Bosh netted 14 points for the Raptors.

Toronto was 26-of-29 from the charity stripe. The Raptors hit 52.5 percent from the field, including 11-of-22 (.500) from three-point range in the contest. Toronto survived 18 turnovers in the contest.

In the overtime, New Orleans led by three points on several occasions, the last time at 116-113 on Baron Davis’ bank shot with 1:50 left.

Bosh then converted a slam dunk and Carter added a free throw to knot the contest at 116-116 with 45 seconds remaining.

After Jamaal Magloire made 1-of-2 tries from the foul line to put the Hornets in front, Carter nailed a three-pointer with 18 seconds left to give Toronto a 119-117 advantage.

Magloire was then blocked by Bosh on a drive to the hoop and the ball ended up on the floor. After a scramble, a jump ball was called with 7.6 seconds remaining. Bosh controlled the tap to Carter, who was fouled with 5.8 seconds to go.

Carter proceeded to make both attempts from the stripe to seal it. Steve Smith hit a three-point shot with less than a second left to account for the final margin.

The Raptors remain in the playoff race — one game behind eighth place Cleveland. Toronto is tied with the Boston Celtics for the ninth spot in the East.

Toronto continues its four-game road trip in Memphis Tuesday night. The Raptors are just 13-21 on foreign hardwood this season.