NEW ORLEANS -Vince Carter finished a 42-point, 12-rebound performance with a go-ahead 3-pointer and a pair of game-sealing free throws in the Toronto Raptors’ 121-120 overtime victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday night.

Carter also hit one of two 3s that Toronto needed as it erased a 107-99 deficit over the final 2:36 of regulation to force overtime. Other than a pair of flamboyant dunks in the first half, Carter scored most of his points from outside or on 12 free throws. He shot 4-of-5 from 3-point range.

Jamaal Magloire had 23 points – 15 on free throws – and 18 rebounds for New Orleans, which set an NBA season high for free throws attempted with 60. But New Orleans missed 14, including one by Magloire with 34 seconds left in overtime, leaving New Orleans up 117-116.

That’s when Carter, denied room to drive by Stacy Augmon, pulled up for 3 with 18 seconds left.

On his attempt to tie it, Magloire was stripped of the ball as he drove into a triple team and Chris Bosh tied him up for a jump ball. Bosh won the jump ball to Carter, who was fouled and hit two free throws. Steve Smith hit a last second 3-pointer on the other end.

Jalen Rose scored 26 for Toronto, including a tying shot at the end of regulation. Toronto has taken three of four from New Orleans this season and the victory pulled the Raptors within a game of Cleveland for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. The Cavaliers lost to Detroit.

Baron Davis had 29 points for New Orleans, which has lost two straight. His third 3-pointer gave New Orleans a 112-109 lead early in overtime. Reserve Robert Traylor had 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Augmon and P.J. Brown each added 12 points.

Bosh had 14 for Toronto. Donyell Marshall had 10, hitting a 3-pointer with 47 seconds left in regulation that had Toronto as close as 109-107.

The Hornets helped Toronto when Davis fell down as Lynch attempted to pass him the ball, giving Raptors the ball back with 34 seconds to go.

Rose tied it with 22 seconds left, stopping his drive a couple feet short of the basket and pump faking several times before getting off a clean shot.

Both teams then missed chances for the win, with Davis losing the ball on a drive and Marshall missing from long range at the buzzer.

After leading 57-53 at halftime, New Orleans shot only 4-of-13 in the third quarter but scored 20 on free throws in the period to take an 86-80 lead into the fourth.

Carter kept Toronto in the game, mostly by hitting from outside. He had 13 points in the quarter.

Notes: Toronto, which ranks last in the league in free throw attempts, got to the line once in the first quarter – and that was on Davis’ technical – but four 3-pointers and 55 percent shooting helped the Raptors build a 27-20 lead heading into the second period. … The Hornets’ bench outscored the starters 30-27 in the first half … Carter is averaging 27.6 points in 10 games since returning from a sprained left ankle March 2.

AP-ES-03-21-04 2237EST