Carter Is Also Box-Office Stuff

With the memory of Laker center Shaquille O’Neal’s 61-point game still fresh, the Clippers will face another dominant player tonight when they face Vince Carter and the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center.

Carter is averaging 30.6 points over his last 10 games.

“Everybody is interested in watching him,” interim Coach Jim Todd said about Carter. “He is starting to get that following and notoriety when [Toronto] comes to town. People now circle the date on their schedules when [the Raptors] come to town.

“But I don’t want to watch any more highlight films because I just got done watching one [Monday] night.”

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The Clippers made several moves before Tuesday’s practice in Carson. Former Laker Mario Bennett, 6 feet 9, was signed to a 10-day contract and backup center Keith Closs was put on the injured list because of a back injury. Forward Pete Chilcutt was signed for the rest of the season and point guard Jeff McInnis was signed to a second 10-day contract.

Bennett, a former Arizona State standout, has not played since having knee surgery last summer.

Tonight

vs. Toronto, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Clippers 12-48; Raptors 34-25.

* Record vs. Raptors--0-1.

* Update--The Clippers have lost 30 of their last 33 games and were defeated by the Raptors by six points at Toronto in November. The Raptors are 14-14 on the road. They won at Portland on Monday and beat the Lakers at Staples Center in November.

* Tickets--(213) 480-3232.