TORONTO -- Vince Carter is proving the Toronto Raptors are for real.
Carter scored a career-high 39 points as the Raptors beat the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs 98-92 on Sunday."We let Vince take shots that we wanted him to take and he just stuffed it down our throats," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said.
Nailing an assortment of outside jumpers, Carter was 15-for-25 from the field. Carter, the NBA rookie of the year last season, also had seven rebounds, and made all eight of his free throws.
"We have a goal that we are trying to reach and these our the kind of games we need," said Carter, who has guaranteed a playoff spot. "I had to step it up for the team, both defensively and offensively."
After Dee Brown got a steal with just under two minutes remaining, he fed Carter, who hit a mid-range jumper in traffic.
"The basket felt bigger than usual," Carter said.
Avery Johnson, who had 20 points, responded with a jumper to pull San Antonio within one, but Tracy McGrady hit a jumper with 44.9 seconds left to give the
Raptors a 92-89 lead.
Tim Duncan, who was double teamed down the stretch, missed an 18-footer with 30 seconds left.
The Spurs then fouled Doug Christie, who hit both of his free throws.
Terry Porter made a desperation 3-pointer to bring the Spurs within two.
But Carter made a pair of free throws, and Christie hit two more to give the Raptors their first victory at home over the Spurs, a team they beat in San Antonio last season.
"They are the world champs and they know how to win," Carter said. "This is a big win. It shows how much heart we have."
Toronto used a 9-0 run to take a 12-point lead in the third quarter. Carter scored six points during the run, including a spectacular dunk.
Carter did a crossover, busted Chucky Brown's ankles, then dunked over David Robinson.
The Spurs began the fourth quarter on a 13-2 run as Duncan, who had 27 points and 13 rebounds, scored 10 points during the stretch.
"Toronto is a really tough team," Duncan said. "They're an exciting team with a good mixture of young and old, and Carter is really working on his stuff. His jumper makes him extend the floor."
Robinson was held to seven points for the Spurs, who lost consecutive games for the first time since Feb. 28.
"Vince was great. He took some shots I still can't believe," Popovich said.
Carter had 18 points as the Raptors led 45-44 at the half. Johnson had 14 for the Spurs. After Antonio Davis blocked Robinson's shot in the second quarter, Carter took the ball from half court and dunked over two defenders
HORNETS 103, SUPERSONICS 81: Derrick Coleman scored 26 points as Charlotte beat Seattle.
Eddie Robinson had a season-high 18 points for the Hornets, who improved to 3-6 on the road and concluded their four-game trip with a 2-2 record.
Raptors 98
Spurs 92