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TORONTO, March 30 (Ticker) -- The New York Knicks lost again, and Lenny Wilkens still is not the NBA's losingest coach.

Vince Carter scored 28 points and Alvin Williams had 12 of his 17 in the fourth quarter as the Toronto Raptors dealt the playoff hopes of the New York Knicks another serious blow with a 95-86 victory.

Allan Houston scored 24 points for the Knicks (32-42), who lost their third straight game. They are 10th in the Eastern Conference standings, three games behind the Washington Wizards for the eighth and final playoff berth. Washington plays at Denver on Sunday night.

"I'm more disappointed than anything that we didn't fight for what was at stake," Knicks coach Don Chaney said. "This was a big game and we didn't come up and fight.

"I have no excuses to offer and our players don't have any excuses. We had to play for tonight and we didn't show up."

The Knicks trailed by 19 points after three quarters but used a 16-5 run to cut the deficit to 78-74 on a 3-pointer by Houston with 6:19 left.

But the Knicks had run out of gas. Carter followed with a basket and Williams stole a pass from Houston and went in for a layup to make it 82-74. New York got no closer than six points thereafter.

"We made runs and every time they made runs, they hit big shots or got loose balls," said Knicks forward Othella Harrington, who scored eight points. "We needed this game and we lost it. We needed this game."

Toronto won for just the third time in the last 13 games. Toronto coach Wilkens remained at 1,105 losses, one away from Bill Fitch's all-time record. Wilkens already is the NBA's all-time winningest coach with 1,290.

The Knicks had no answer for Carter, who added nine rebounds, six assists and three blocks.

"He defended, he made some big shots and then down the stretch he blocked a couple of shots and made it real difficult for Houston to get to the basket," Wilkens said. "He had a tremendous game, I thought."

The Raptors led 50-40 at halftime and built the lead to 71-52 on a tip-in by Jelani McCoy and a layup by Carter in the final minute of the third quarter.

Toronto snapped a seven-game losing streak against New York, which made just 3-of-15 shots in the third quarter.

Kurt Thomas of the Knicks had nine rebounds but made just 3-of-13 shots and finished with 11 points.

"I couldn't hit a shot out there," Thomas said. "We dug ourselves into a hole, but we fought back. At this point, you can't be in that situation."

Latrell Sprewell scored just four points and did not play in the fourth quarter, when the Knicks made their late run. With Toronto's Antonio Davis sidelined due to a sore groin, Michael Bradley started at center and had 12 points and 11 rebounds.

"He played really well," Carter said of Bradley. "His confidence on offense was there. It was a great all-around game. He's really communicating and letting everyone know where to be."

McCoy also was effective in the middle, collecting 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The Knicks closed to 86-80 on a pair of free throws by Charlie Ward with 2:38 left. But Williams ended any chance of a another comeback with a 3-pointer.

Carter made it a 10-point game with a fadeaway jumper with 1:39 to go.

The Raptors shot a sizzling 59.5 percent in the first half with Morris Peterson and Bradley each scoring 13 points.

"We know that they're vying for a playoff spot, but we're trying to get wins and finish the season strong," said Peterson, who had all of his points in the first half. "I feel good, especially (with beating) a rival trying to make a playoff run. That was in the back of our mind."

Toronto took its biggest lead of the first half when a dunk by Carter with two minutes left made it 48-36.

NOTES:

The Raptors avoid the season sweep from New York (1-3) … It’s their first win against the Kickerbockers since March 4, 2001

Toronto (14-of-19) and New York (10-of-16) combined for a .686 (24-of-35) mark from the field in the opening quarter … The Raptors finished the game shooting .506 from the field (39-77) while New York shot .375 (27-72).

Toronto improves to 5-1when netting 30 or more points in the first quarter.

New York grabbed a Toronto-opponent season low 11 rebounds in the first half.

Vince Carter netted 15 of his game-high 28 points in the second half … He also recorded nine rebounds and six assists.

New York tied a Raptors’ opponent season low with three field goals (3-15) in the third quarter … they scored 12 points in the frame.

New York recorded Raptors opponent season highs for three pointers made (11) in a game (previous – 10; Nov. 29 at Boston) and three-pointers attempted (27) in a game (previous – 23; twice – last March 24 at New York).

Toronto outrebounded New York 47-34.

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Box Score

PLAYER OF THE GAME

VINCE CARTER

No one cares that VC had 28 points, it was the three steals, three blocks and nine rebounds that impressived most.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“If you’re in a race, you can’t give a guy a mile start and expect to win.” Don Chaney -- Knicks coach.

KEY STAT

The Raptors beat the Knicks in the paint, 36-22, without Antonio Davis.

LINE OF THE GAME

Vince Carter: 28 points, six assists and nine rebounds.

TOP HIGHLIGHT

Vince Carter makes a steal on the perimetre and then streaks down the court for 360 dunk in the first half.

HUSTLE BOARD

Team	RB	ST	BLK	TOT
NYK	34	6	4	44
TOR	47	7	4	58

LEADERBOARD
TORONTO		NEW ORLEANS
M. Bradley	Points: V. Carter - 28 Rebounds: M. Bradley -11 Assists: V. Carter - 6	A. Houston	Points: A. Houston - 24 Rebounds: C. Weatherspoon - 11 Assists: C. Ward - 4