Atlanta Hawks forward Vince Carter (15) celebrates after scoring over his 25,000th career point, during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018, in Atlanta. Toronto won 124-108. (AP Photo/John Amis)
ATLANTA — Kyle Lowry scored 21 points during his first triple-double of the season and the Toronto Raptors never trailed while beating the reeling Atlanta Hawks 124-108 on Wednesday night despite a career milestone from Vince Carter.
Lowry had 17 assists and 12 rebounds for his 13th career triple-double.
A jam by Carter with less than a second remaining pushed him past 25,000 career points. He became the 22nd NBA player to reach the milestone.
Carter began the night 13 points shy of the mark. The Hawks were pulling for Carter, in his 21st season, to reach the milestone against his former Toronto team. He sank a 3-pointer with less than two minutes remaining and, clearly aiming for the milestone, missed two more 3s before being fouled with 33.9 seconds.
Carter pulled with one point of 25,000 when he sank two free throws after a video review overruled the original call he was fouled on a 3-pointer. On Atlanta’s final possession, he missed a jumper before scoring the game’s final basket on a jam, giving him 14 points for the game and 25,001 for his career.
Players from both teams hugged Carter at midcourt.
Jonas Valanciunas had season-high totals of 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Raptors (15-4). Pascal Siakam had 22 points.
Jeremy Lin scored 26 points off the bench for the Hawks (3-15), who have lost nine straight since their last win against Miami on Nov. 3.
Atlanta’s only starter to score in double figures was Taurean Prince with 12 points.
The teams combined to miss 14 straight shots from the field to open the game before Lowry finally sank a jumper. He followed up with a 3-pointer, and the Raptors never lost the lead.
Toronto led 29-14 before Atlanta closed the first period with a 10-0 run, including two jumpers from Lin. Atlanta pulled to within two points at 31-29 on Kent Bazemore’s jam early in the second period but could never pull even.
The Raptors led 55-44 at halftime.
Toronto stretched the lead to 20 points for the first time at 100-80 on Danny Green’s 3-pointer midway through the final period.
Carter’s milestone was popular with players for both teams.
“I would love for him to do it tonight but Vince is going to play the game the right way and do what he’s supposed to do and he’s going to worry about that as it happens,” said Hawks coach Lloyd Price before the game. “… I know this is his former team. I know it would have another added boost to it, being against Toronto, adding a milestone that is a great accomplishment and a testament to his 21 years.”
Lowry left the game with a bloody nose with 4:09 remaining. No foul was called, despite his protests to officials as he held a towel to his face.
The Raptors rested top scorer Kawhi Leonard on the second day of back-to-back games. That has been the standard practice with Leonard, but coach Nick Nurse said “we’re getting closer” to Leonard playing in consecutive days.
TIP-INS
Raptors: OG Anunoby (sprained right wrist) and C.J. Miles (right adductor strain) did not play. … The Raptors improved to 8-2 on the road.
Hawks: Alex Len (sore back) and Omari Spellman (right hip adductor) did not play. … Atlanta’s bench outscored the starters 16-8 in the first period.
UP NEXT
Raptors: Host Washington on Friday night.
Hawks: Host Boston on Friday night.