Remembering Vince Carter's record-setting game

Happy anniversary to Vince Carter and the Toronto Raptors. 18 years ago today, VC became the first Rap to score 50 or more points in a single game.

Fast-forward almost two decades, there are now three names on that page of the Raptors record books but back in 2000 Carter made history.

In February of 2000, Carter was in such pomp that NBC changed its schedule to put the gravity-defying sensation on national screens for the first time that season. In a Sunday afternoon game at the Air Canada Centre, the Raptors’ star exploded for 51 points, nine rebounds and three steals against the Phoenix Suns. In a slew of 17 field goals, including just four 3-pointers, Carter became the highest scoring Toronto Raptor of all time.

Carter held that record for 14 years, despite leaving the Raps in 2004 in a trade to New Jersey.

The scoring feat was matched on January 25, 2014, when Terrence Ross caught fire from beyond the arch and sank 10 3-pointers in a loss to the LA Clippers. Amazingly, the shooting guard, now in Orlando, became the first player in NBA history to have a 50-point game despite averaging under 10 points (9.3) per game.

And then came DeMar DeRozan.

The Raptors’ current franchise player has sought membership in the exclusive 50 club since being drafted by Toronto in 2009. The 28-year-old came close during his first eight years with the team with a few high 40-point performances, and then on New Years Day 2018, he gave fans at ACC a performance to remember.

DeRozan scored 52 points in an overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks to become the Raptors all-time highest single-game scorer (he is also the franchise’s all-time career leading scorer with almost 13,000 points).

DeRozan scored the first nine points of the game and had 21 in the first quarter — the most by a Raptors player in a single quarter this season.

The four-time NBA All-Star sank 17 of 29 field-goal attempts and went 100 percent at the foul line. In addition, his five 3-pointers on the night were only one shy of his career high.

What a time to be alive.

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