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Toronto Raptors: The other 50-point games in Raptors history

By Avishai Sol

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 27: Terrence Ross #31 of the Toronto Raptors prepares to pass in front of Matt Barnes #22 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 27, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 27: Terrence Ross #31 of the Toronto Raptors prepares to pass in front of Matt Barnes #22 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 27, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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22 Dec 2000: Vince Carter #15 of the Toronto Raptors. Mandatory Credit: Robert Laberge /Allsport
22 Dec 2000: Vince Carter #15 of the Toronto Raptors. Mandatory Credit: Robert Laberge /Allsport /

May 11th, 2001:  Vince Carter vs. Allen Iverson

The city of Toronto has mixed feelings when it comes to Vince Carter. His rough departure from the city via a trade to the Nets left a bad taste in many Raptors’ fans’ mouths, but he remains one of the best players in franchise history and one of the most mercurial scorers this game has ever seen.

In 2001, Carter is nothing less than the most electric player in the world. He is a 24-year-old All-NBA wing averaging almost 28 points per game. A highlight factory who just come off the most spectacular individual performance the dunk contest has ever seen, he was making the Raptors competitive for the first time in franchise history.

In the playoffs, Carter and the Raptors had upset the Knicks in the first round and were now facing the 1st seeded Philadelphia 76ers. This was a Sixers team that featured the league MVP, DPOY, and 6MOY in Allen Iverson, Dikembe Mutombo, and Aaron McKie, respectively.

The Raptors won Game 1 in a nail-biter with Carter and Iverson with 35 and 36 points respectively. The 76ers game storming back in Game 2 with Allen Iverson dropping 54 points to even the series. Here’s where Carter strikes back.

Playing a decisive Game 3 at home, Carter dropped 50 points to blow out the 76ers 102-78. He doesn’t miss a free-throw, he gets white-hot from deep hitting 9-13 threes, and also adds 7 assists and four blocks to his stat line.

Now, Iverson would go on to respond with 52 in Game 5, and the Raptors would eventually lose the series in seven, but that doesn’t negate his performance. Toronto fans might have mixed feelings about Carter, but it’s easy to remember that this was how insane he was before it went downhill.

This was the only 50-piece to come in the playoffs, and that makes it bigger and better than the other games listed here. Before Kawhi took Toronto to the title in 2019, this was the greatest individual performance in Raptors history.