RAPTORS WIN
Vince Carter returned to the Toronto
Raptors' starting lineup Sunday after missing 23 games with a
strained right knee. Carter received a loud ovation when introduced
as a starter against the Sacramento Kings. The All-Star forward
looked tentative in the opening minutes. Carter had his first shot
blocked by Vlade Divac. He then made a fadeaway jumper, but later
missed a 3-pointer. Carter picked up two fouls and was replaced by
Voshon Lenard with 7:07 left in the first quarter. Carter, who
partially separated a patella tendon from his kneecap Dec. 10,
received medical arance on Friday. The All-Star forward had hoped to
return two weeks ago, but was held back by team doctors. Before
Sunday, Carter played in 10 other games this season. He has been
practicing with the team for more than a week. Carter also missed 10
games earlier this season with an injured left knee. The Raptors,
who have a record of 10-33, have lost five straight games.
RAPTORS
RELEASE GREG FOSTER AND JERMAINE JACKSON
Toronto
released center Greg Foster and guard Jermaine Jackson on Tuesday to
make room for two signings on Wednesday, the Associated Press
reported. Both Foster and Jackson were originally signed under
NBA-granted roster exemptions. Guard Rafer Alston and forward Art
Long will sign 10-day contracts with the Raptors on Wednesday.
Alston and Long should see some work right away, as the Raptors are
always nursing a handful of injuries. Neither expects to be a
fantasy factor, however.
TEAM
REPORT FOR DECEMBER 27
Toronto
continues to fall as it lost its fourth straight with a 97-88 loss
at Seattle on Thursday. ... The Raptors dropped to 4-10 on the road
in the opener of a five-game trip. ... F Jerome Williams on coping
with losing: "It's just one of those things where you come out
hard and play well early on but realize you shoot your load too
early." ... Fs Vince Carter and Antonio Davis are not with the
team on this road trip due to injuries. ... Coach Lenny Wilkens on
the team's injuries: "It's very frustrating because when you
don't have your key people, you can't win. The list goes on and on -
I know my players are tired of hearing about it." - Credit:
Yahoo.com
JYD
TO HAVE ELBOW EXAMINED
TORONTO
(AP) -- Raptors forward Jerome Williams will get a second opinion
Tuesday on his sore left elbow, an injury that has sidelined him the
past three games. He will be examined in Birmingham, Ala., by Dr.
James Andrews. The noted orthopedic specialist also has treated
Raptors star Vince Carter. He is not with Toronto on its four-game
road trip. He has averaged 8.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 30.1 minutes
in 13 games. He had a career-high 30 points in a 115-109 victory at
Orlando on Nov. 12.
MURRAY
OUT FOUR MONTHS
Raptors'
forward Lamond Murray will be out for four months after he had
surgery to repair the Lisfranc ligament in his right foot on
Tuesday, the Associated Press reported. Murray's original
diagnosis slated him for an eight-week rehab stint, and this report
has doubled the time period. The news is terrible for the Raptors,
who have been beset with injuries this preseason. If healthy, Murray
would be the first player off their bench and likely their third or
fourth best scorer.
HUFFMAN
TO UNDERGO SURGERY
Centre
Nate Huffman will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on
Monday. The 7-foot-1 rookie is expected to miss four-to-six weeks.
He missed the last two exhibition games because of swelling in the
knee. Huffman, 27, signed with Toronto over the summer after
averaging 18.8 points and 7.5 rebounds for Israeli League champion
Maccabi Elite Tel-Aviv last season. The native of Battle Creek,
Mich., was the MVP of both the Suproleague and Israeli League for
the 2000-01 season.
OLAJUWON
TO RETIRE
Toronto
Raptors' center Hakeem Olajuwon will announce his retirement on
November 2, the day of the Raptors' home opener, the New York
Post reported. Olajuwan, 39, has a serious back injury that
would require surgery and sideline him for 9-to-11 months. He played
17 seasons with the Houston Rockets before joining the Raptors last
year.
The
Dream has been plagued with injuries over recent years, but that
shouldn't overshadow his status as one of the 50 greatest players of
all time. From the mid-80s and mid-90s, Hakeem and fellow center
David Robinson dominated the fantasy basketball world.
RAPTORS
TRADE YOGI STEWART FOR LAMOND MURRAY
The
Toronto Raptors have acquired forward Lamond Murray and a future
second-round draft pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for
centre Michael Stewart and a future first-round draft pick. "Lamond
is a talented veteran who will solidify our rotation and improve our
scoring," said Glen Grunwald, Raptors senior vice-president and
general manager. "He has proven to be a consistent performer
throughout his NBA career." Murray averaged a career-best and
team-high 16.6 points with the Cavs last season. He also added 5.2
rebounds, 2.2 assists and 32.6 minutes per game. He started 68 of
his 71 appearances and tallied 20 or more points on 26 occasions,
including a career-best 40 points versus Golden State on January 2.
He ranked 13th in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage at
42.4 (101-238).
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