Toronto Raptors Team Report - November 12

(Basketball News) - The Toronto Raptors lost to the Portland Trail Blazers, 83-80, on Tuesday at the Rose Garden.

Vince Carter scored a game-high 33 points for the Raptors, who have yet to win on the road in three tries this season.

Portland led by six at the break and increased its advantage to 10 at 70-60 heading into the final quarter.

The Raptors, however, responded with six straight points to begin the final stanza to get back in the game. Carter’s three-pointer cut the Toronto deficit to seven and three points from Chris Bosh pulled the Raptors within 70-66 still early in the final stanza.

Zach Randolph hit a pair of free throws and baskets by Bonzi Wells and Jeff McInnis restored Portland’s 10-point lead, 76-66.

Toronto, however, would not quit and got to within five, 78-73, on a basket by Bosh with five minutes remaining. Still down five, Carter buried a three- pointer to pull the Raptors within 82-80 with just 13 seconds to go.

Jeff McInnis made 1-of-2 from the foul line to give the Trail Blazers an 83-80 lead and the Raptors called a timeout with 5.2 seconds left on the clock. Lamond Murray, who finished 0-for-6 from the field, missed from three-point range as the horn sounded and Portland escaped with the victory.

The Raptors will be in Los Angeles tonight to battle Shaquille O’Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers.