PLAYER OF THE GAME HAKEEM OLAJUWON Hakeem had a season-high 14 points and 20 rebounds, the most ever by a Raptor in a regulation game. He also added 5 blocks. QUOTE OF THE DAY "Unfortunately we lost, but it was a competitive game." - Hakeem Olajuwon KEY STAT The Raptors were 11-19 (57.9%) from downtown to keep them in the game. LINE OF THE GAME Ben Wallace: 13 points (6-8 FG), 13 rebs, 3 blks, 3 stls TOP HIGHLIGHT Needing a bucket, Alvin Williams hit a clutch jumper to tie the game at 84 with just over one minute remaining. However, it would be the final Toronto points of the night.. HUSTLE BOARD Team RB ST BLK TOT DET 44 6 6 56 TOR 46 4 7 57

84	88
November 20 at Air Canada Centre

It has become increasingly apparent that the Raptors have come to rely more on the three-point shot as a weapon in their arsenal than ever before. And that's not a bad thing.

With a roster that surrounds the perimeter with marksmen like Vince Carter, Morris Peterson, Dell Curry, Tracy Murray, Alvin Williams and Chris Childs that would look to be a prudent strategy.

"We'll take a three-point opportunity if it is there and we have a good rhythm," assessed head coach Lenny Wilkens. "If not you have to be smart enough to move the ball."

If you jack up shots recklessly, the results can be disastrous, but with proper discretion there can be no greater tactic to build a lead. Or tear one down.

"There are some three-pointers that are good that you look for and others that you should turn down and look for something else," added Wilkens.

The Raptors currently hold the longest active streak in the NBA for games making at least one three-pointer, now sitting at 215 after Tuesday's 88-84 loss to Detroit. In that contest, Toronto finished with 11 treys in 19 attempts with Carter, Peterson, Williams and Murray all getting in on the act in this particular performance.

In the Raptors first 11 games, they have attempted at least 20 from beyond the arc six times. When the three ball is dropping, like it did in Utah on the first night of the past road trip, it's a lethal weapon. Toronto was 15-26 that day en route to a 117-96 win. It can also keep you in a game --like Tuesday's-- when other things aren't working.

"Sometimes we live by it, sometimes we die by it," Murray said. "We just have to be a little more selective."

The three-pointer can even be a more reliable than the closer two-point shot. For example, the Raptors were an efficient 11-19 (57.9%) from downtown against the Pistons but only 21-60 (35.0%) from inside the arc. That can be explained by the fact that many of those three-point attempts are created off penetrations into the lane where the ball gets kicked out to an open shooter with a clean look. It's also more likely that a three-point shooter has his feet squarely planted and utilizes good mechanics to get his shot off rather than forcing an off-balance attempt, which can happen in tighter defence.

Making a big three-pointer can be a dagger, like the one by Dana Barros with two minutes left in the game that pushed Detroit's margin to a two possession game. It was even more striking because time was winding down on the shot clock and it was Barros' only field goal in 10 tries.

Facing a two-point deficit with the shot clock turned off, Vince Carter had the ball with the opportunity to tie the game or win it with a three. But he misfired on a tough baseline jumper and the game was done.

Perhaps he should have shot a three.

LEADERBOARD
TORONTO		DETROIT
Carter	Points: Carter - 28 Rebounds: Olajuwon - 20 Assists: Childs - 5	Wallace	Points: Robinson - 22 Rebounds: Wallace - 13 Assists: Barros - 7