Toronto Raptors Team Report - March 27

(Basketball News) - The Toronto Raptors’ playoff hopes took another hit on Friday, as they found themselves on the wrong end of a 108-101 decision against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Vince Carter poured in a game-high 40 points for the Raptors, who have lost three straight and six of their last nine. Jalen Rose contributed 21 points in the loss.

With the loss Toronto slipped two games back of the Boston Celtics for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Carter has been sensational of late and has scored 24 or more points in seven straight games, averaging 32 points in that span.

The Raptors, who will host the Memphis Grizzlies in the opener of a brief two- game homestand on Sunday, has dropped five of six and nine of their last 11 on the road and slipped to 13-24 away from home this season.

Toronto has lost nine of its last 12 at home and is 17-18 north of the border this season.

The Raps fell to the Grizzlies earlier in the season and has dropped three of the last four meetings. Toronto, though, has won five of the last eight matchups and is 5-2 in the last seven at home in this series.