RAPTOR NOTES

TORONTO – Butch Carter made the decision to drop his $5 million defamation lawsuit against Marcus Camby shortly before midnight Monday after marathon talks with the league.

Carter spoke to The Post shortly after he made his decision but was tight-lipped yesterday afternoon following practice in the Air Canada Centre. He said he wouldn’t discuss the situation further until his lawyers, the NBA and the Raptor management finished collaborating on an official statement. That statement was released last night.

“Whatever it says, I will be in agreement with it,” Carter said yesterday.

The Raptors were expected to arrive in New York around 6 o’clock last night.

Late Monday, Carter told The Post: “After much consideration, I have decided to cut off legal action. I think my point has been that I will not be bullied by false accusations, but there is no reason to bring the courtroom into the locker room.”

Carter said he spent much of his time Monday talking to NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik about his motives for taking legal action. Granik, who had said Sunday that the lawsuit was “unprecedented and highly inappropriate,” is reportedly fearful that such a suit might set a precedent for coaches and players suing each other recklessly.

“They are my bosses,” Carter said of the NBA. “They would prefer that I use my new Canadian manners and I will oblige.”

Carter said that Camby had not apologized for calling him a liar and said he was “fine” with the way things had turned out. He said he was initially advised by some close to him to sue and then was later pushed by others to stop legal action.

“Sometimes, the advisory board changes,” he said.

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Antonio Davis cut short his practice yesterday because he was “banged up,” Butch Carter said. Davis is expected to play tonight.

Dell Curry missed Monday’ night’s practice because of a stomach flu but returned yesterday. “He said he hadn’t eaten much, but he’s back,” said Carter.

Tracy McGrady also missed part of Monday’s practice for some minor bruises, but insisted he was fine and was “excited” to play tonight.

“The confidence on this team is there,” said McGrady. “We think we can beat them. We know we can beat them. We got the jitters out of the way now.”