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UNC in the NBA: Vince Carter explodes for perfect shooting night against Bucks

By Blake Cockrum

Feb 4, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) reacts after a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Grizzlies won 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) reacts after a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Grizzlies won 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Vince Carter explodes for season-high in points, field goals against Bucks

Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Vince Carter hadn’t started a single game this season, coming off the bench in all 58 of his appearances, until Monday night.

In fact, Carter has only started five games for the Grizzlies in three seasons.

But after putting together his best performance of the season against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night, the Grizzlies may consider starting Carter a little more often.

Related Story: Vince Carter passes Allen Iverson on all-time scoring list

The 40-year-old veteran, in his 19th NBA season, played 30 minutes against the Bucks and scored  a game-high 24 points on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting night from the floor.

Mar 11, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) motions to the crowd after scoring against the Atlanta Hawks at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) motions to the crowd after scoring against the Atlanta Hawks at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

He was 6-of-6 from three-point range and hit both free-throws he attempted. He also dished out two assists and added three steals to just one turnover.

Carter’s 24 points, eight field goals and six three-pointers are all season-highs and were invaluable in helping the 37-30 Grizzlies get a victory over an up-and-coming Milwaukee team that sits in fourth-place in the Central Division.

Indeed, it was an excellent game for one of the league’s oldest players and best ambassadors.

Carter is one of just three active players that was selected in the 1998 NBA Draft. Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki and Los Angeles Clippers small forward Paul Pierce are the other two.

And perhaps it’s no coincidence that the league’s oldest and longest tenured players are all sure-fire Hall-of-Famers.

In December, Carter hit his 1,989th career three, passing 10-time All-Star Jason Kidd for fifth-place in NBA history. Earlier in the season, he broke Michael Jordan’s record as the oldest player to score 20 or more points in a game off the bench.

Related Story: Vince Carter hits 2,000th career three-pointer

For the season, Carter is averaging 7.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. His 24,417 career points rank fourth among active players behind Nowitzki, Lebron James and Pierce.

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