RAPTORS: IBM Post Game Instant Replay

TORONTO, April 4 (Ticker) -- Lenny Wilkens became the NBA's all-time losingest coach as the Toronto Raptors fell to the white-hot San Antonio Spurs, 124-98.

Wilkens passed Bill Fitch with his 1,107th career loss. One of just two individuals in the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and coach, Wilkens also is the all-time leader in coaching wins with 1,292.

"Now you guys won't be following me anymore on the road," Wilkens joked.

Losing is something the Spurs have not done lately as they won their eighth straight game. The Spurs (56-20) have also won eight straight road games and are within a half-game of the Dallas Mavericks (56-19) for the best record in the NBA.

We've had them in our sights for a little while now," Spurs forward Malik Rose said. "We would like to get that No. 1 seed, but if we don't get it, we feel we're playing probably the best we've been playing all year and that's good going into the playoffs."

San Antonio has not just been playing well lately. The Spurs are 23-4 since the All-Star break and have made up five games on the Mavericks over that span.

The Spurs led 30-17 after the first quarter and 66-37 at halftime. They led by as many as 32 points in the second half, much of which was garbage time. Superstar Tim Duncan played just 19 minutes and deep reserve Danny Ferry scored a season-high 10 points.

"It was a great effort by the Spurs tonight and a lackluster effort by us," said Raptors forward Jerome Williams, who had seven points. "They just came out and jumped on top of us and we weren't able to meet their intensity levels."

Duncan did not play in the second half because of a very slight ankle injury but felt that it was not a matter of great concern.

"I just tweaked it again, but it's nothing serious," Duncan said. "I just landed wrong. I felt I could've played but just preventatively, I sat out. We were up 29 and had all our other guys playing great off the bench and we finished off the game well. We're excited about how we're playing and feel ready for the playoffs."

Rose led San Antonio with 23 points and Stephen Jackson added 22. Each player scored 17 points in the first half, with Jackson making 7-of-7 shots.

"I think we just came out and played our style of ball," Jackson said. "Shots were falling tonight. It was good shooting the ball tonight."

Rose shot 10-of-13 from the field and had nine rebounds to lead the Spurs, who shot 60 percent (49-of-82).

Vince Carter led the Raptors with 17 points and Alvin Williams added 14, but they combined to shoot 12-of-29 from the field.

"There was no effort, no communication, no nothing tonight," Carter said. "From the jump, we did not have that energy and we didn't match their intensity. They wanted it 100 times more than we did. We were not helping, not communicating, and nothing was said on offense. We did not do a lot of things right tonight. It is plain and simple. I'm hoping some of this sticks in our head and we do something about it next game."

The Raptors shot 48 percent (39-of-82) and were outrebounded, 43-33. .

QUICK HITS

Tim Duncan left the game at halftime with a mild right ankle sprain and did not return … He recorded 13 points and eight rebounds in 19 minutes … He started his 240th consecutive game tonight placing him second (along with Antawn Jamison … Golden State plays tonight versus Portland) behind only John Stockton who leads the league with 431 consecutive starts.
Malik Rose netted a game-high 23 points while Stephen Jackson scored 22 points, including four three-pointers.
The Spurs made their first six three-pointers … They finished the game tying a Raptors’ opponent season-high 11 three-pointers (previous; 11 – March 30 vs. New York).
The Spurs’ 66 points tied a Raptors’ opponent season high for points in a half (Nov. 18 at Atlanta).
The 29-point Spurs’ lead tied the largest Raptors’ halftime deficit this season (66-37; Nov. 18 at Atlanta).
The Spurs shot .889 (16-18) in the second quarter setting a Raptors’ opponent franchise record (previous; .875 (14-16); Dec. 5, 1995 at Seattle; third quarter).
The Spurs also set a Raptors’ opponent franchise record for field goal percentage in a half by shooting .771; (27-for-35) … The previous record was .722 (26-36); Feb. 27, 1997 at Utah, first half.
The Spurs set season highs for points at 124 (previous - 118; April 1 vs. Orlando) and field goals with 49 (previous 46; March 20 at Dallas).

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Post Game Quotes

PLAYER OF THE GAME

MALIK ROSE

Like the rest of the Spurs, Rose came out on fire and sank 10-13 shots on his way to 23 points and added nine rebounds.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“We couldn’t guard anybody. Malik Rose went to the basket anytime he wanted to, he played very well. Tony Parker penetrated. All of them, they were very good tonight and when they have a night like that, you just hope you can stop it. It’s like a flood coming and you don’t have enough hands to block the dike. It was incredible,” Lenny Wilkens.

KEY STAT

The Spurs shot a staggering 77% from the field in the first half en route to 66 points. They finished the game with a 60% shooting percentage.

LINE OF THE GAME

Malik Rose:Rose stepped in for Tim Duncan after he left with a mild ankle sprain and filled in nicely with 23 points, nine rebounds in 33 minutes of action.

TOP HIGHLIGHT

There really weren't any highlights for the Raps in this one, but Maceo Baston played some good minutes toward the end of the game with six points, five rebounds and three blocks in only 15 minutes of action.

HUSTLE BOARD

Team	RB	ST	BLK	TOT
SAN	43	9	3	55
TOR	33	7	6	46

LEADERBOARD
TORONTO		SAN ANTONIO
V. Carter	Points: V. Carter - 17 Rebounds: M. Bradley -8 Assists: A. Williams – 5	M. Rose	Points: M. Rose - 23 Rebounds: M. Rose - 9 Assists: Parker, Claxton - 5