GAME RECAP – FINAL: #Raptors 98 – #Nets 102

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Updated: April 26, 2014

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The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Toronto Raptors by a score of 102-98 in Brooklyn to take Game 3.

Rundown:

D-Will came out aggressive early and hit two 3-pointers and to get Brooklyn up 12-6.  The Nets couldn’t score after that and were down 23-19 after one. It became a  physical game with a couple of dust ups but the refs got control quickly.  The Nets went on a 10-0 run in the early stages of second quarter behind raw emotion from Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett which got the crowd raucous.  Brooklyn was up 49-45 at half. as the Nets shoot 51% to Raptors 44% from the field.  Their was 25 total fouls called in first half and the Raptors had 10 turnovers.

Joe Johnson got hot in the third and scored 10 points midway through as the Nets match largest lead at 11 points going into fourth up 76-66.  The Nets had a comfortable 15 point lead with five to play only to let it all slip away and then had to scratch and claw the rest of the way.  The Raptors continued to drive and the Nets continued to foul them and put them at the line.  After D-Will missed three important fre ethrows in the final two minuites it took Johnson and Pierce hitting four straight free throws to seal it and the Nets won 102-98.

Momentum Changers:

The game was tight until Joe Johnson came out in the third and scored 12 of his 27 points to help build a lead the nets would not surrender.

NUMBERS:

The team leading at halftime has won 5 of the 6 games between the Nets and Raptors this season entering tonight, including all three playoff games.

D-Will has now scored 20+ points in 6 of 10 career playoff games w/ the Nets, including 2 of 3 this postseason.

Joe Johnson has made 15-15 from the free throw line in the playoffs.

Johnson has scored 25 points tonight, marking the most points he’s scored in 10 career playoff games w/ the Nets.

In 3 games, Johnson is averaging 23.7 ppg on 60.5% from the field (26-43) and 100.0% FT shooting (15-15) in 40.0 mpg.

The Nets have taken a 2-1 series lead. The Nets have won 6 straight playoff series (and 7 of 8 all-time) when they’ve held a 2-1 series edge

Johnson (27) – Williams (22) – Pierce (18) – Blatche (12)

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Kidd’s Corner:

“We found a way to win at home and have to bring that same energy on Sunday.” said Jason Kidd.

Kidd on the crowd tonight at Barclays Center:  “They were great for 48 minutes. We’ll need them Sunday.”

Kidd asked about D-Will missing key free throws: How do you know he was rattled?” Kidd said. “He’s human. It happens. We’ve all been there before.  Again, we got the win. Guys stepped up and made free throws. He missed a couple but we still believe when he goes to the line, he’s going to make the next one.”

Quotables

Joe Johnson on fourth quarter play:

“Honestly, I think we got a little lackadaisical. We got up 15 and it’s very uncharacteristic of us to blow a lead like that” Johnson said.

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NEXT UP: The Nets will be back in action Sunday night when they play Game 4 in Brooklyn against the Raptors.  The game can be seen on TNT at 7:00.

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