TORONTO (AP) - Vince Carter has taken his game to a different level this season. Now the Toronto Raptors star wants to do the same as a leader.

Carter recorded his first career triple-double on Monday night in a 112-103 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, but last year's rookie of the year wanted to talk more about taking on a greater leadership role.

``They've (teammates) asked me to step up and be a leader and it felt good to hear those guys say that,'' Carter said. ``I try to be more vocal and to be a leader. It's an adjustment because I'm just a second-year guy.''

Carter went 13-for-19 from the field and scored 31 points, with 11 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists as the Raptors inched closer to their first playoff berth.

``It's hard with these veterans to tell them to get in the right spot, but it feels good that they respect that and believe that I can do that,'' Carter said.

Toronto (43-34) need one win or one Milwaukee loss to clinch a postseason spot. The Bucks defeated Orlando 104-87 Monday.

``We still have to play like we're not there yet,'' said Carter, who didn't record a triple-double in college. ``My senior year of high school I almost averaged a triple-double, so that was probably the last time.

``I've been wanting this for a long time. I've never accomplished it in my career, and hopefully I'll get a lot more of them.''

Tracy McGrady had 27 points, a career-high nine assists, six blocks and three steals as the Raptors ended a four-game home losing streak by beating Cleveland for the fifth straight time.

``I played well, Vince played well. It's going to take a lot to beat us. Everybody did it tonight,'' McGrady said. ``Defense was the key. When I'm doing it on defense, the offense will be there.''

Antonio Davis had 14 points and four blocks, while Charles Oakley added nine points and 10 rebounds for Toronto.

Shawn Kemp scored 22 points for Cleveland, Bob Sura 19 and Lamond Murray 16.

``They have a couple young guys who can put up the numbers,'' Kemp said. ``If you don't stop them early, they can keep it going for four quarters.''

Carter gave the Raptors, guaranteed of their first winning season since joining the league five seasons ago, a 21-18 lead on a 3-pointer 7:25 into the game.

A minute later, Davis' shot bounced off the rim and Carter slammed home the rebound. With the quarter winding down, Carter dunked over Andrew DeClercq to make it 30-24, and 40 seconds later he set up McGrady for a slam.

Carter completed another highlight-reel move two minutes into the second quarter when he converted a one-handed alley-oop off Muggsy Bogues' inbounds pass. The two hooked up for a similar play in the third quarter to make it 69-50.

``This is Vince and Tracy's team and the pressure is on them and to use the older guys for advice,'' said Bogues, a 12-year veteran. ``We need to have them at the top of their games.''

McGrady did a bit of everything, swatting away balls, causing turnovers and driving to the basket. He went 11-for-13 on free throws.

``Vince and Tracy's efficiency has gone up and so has our play,'' Raptors coach Butch Carter said. ``The main focus is the progress of the two young guys and that they stayed focused.''

The Cavs, down by as much as 24 points in the third quarter, made a small charge in the fourth on a pair of Kemp dunks that closed the gap to 98-93 with 4:28 left. But the Raptors responded with six straight points.