VIDEO – Nets Recap: #Nets 87 – #Raptors 93
Nets 87 – Raptors 93
Amazingly Amir Johnson was called for a foul on the opening tip. Demar Derozan hit a three to give the Raptors a quick 10-2 lead hitting 4-5 shots. Keith Bogans hit back-to-back 3-pointers to get the Nets into the game after going down 14-2, now 14-8. Jerry Stackhouse and Andray Blatche got the early call from PJ at four minute mark. Reggie Evans got a tech on a delay of game that the ref miscalled. Raptors up 19-11. Deron Williams with his 2nd dunk of the year off a turnover. Nets calmed down and were within a bucket until Rudy Gay banked a 30 footer to give the Raptors the 24-20 lead after one.
The Bench Mob with Stack, Blatche, CJ Watson, MarShon Brooks and Kris Humphries. A quick 7-0 run got the Raptors up 31-20. Brooklyn couldn’t get the ball to go in so Williams and Bogans came back but still fell behind 42-26 behind Lopez 0-6. A horrible second quarter for the Nets as they fall behind by 20 with three to play. Neither team is getting to the line. Nets have only taken 2 FTs (1-2 FT) and Raptors have only taken 3 FTs (2-3 FT). Raptors are running and killing the Nets. They’re outscoring Nets on the break 12-2 and Gay leads with 8 points in transition. Joe Johnson misses another jumper, shooting 2-7 FGs. He’s killing Nets with his shooting. Nets losing 51-32 at half. Nets shot 34 percent to Raptors 48 percent.
Brook Lopez with five baskets early in third to wake up a little bit. Nets down 57-42 but can’t stop Derozan on the other end with 19 points. Nets defense very sub par and down 63-42 with six to play. Johnson not involved at all yet. Williams finally hits a 3-pointer to get Brooklyn to within 66-49. Nets rebounding much better in the third, 12-6, to gain ground. Williams took over and found some confidence and hit for 10 straight points and two 3-pointers to get the Nets to within 70-59 after three. Nets giving themselves a chance with a 27-19 quarter. All 27 points in the third quarter for the Nets came from Brook Lopez (12) and Deron Williams (15).
[blockquote] PJ – “The players wanted to pursue it, which I think was good,” Carlesimo said. “But we probably played guys more than we would’ve played them. But it was easy to see the score that [Indiana] was down and looked like they were going to lose. So it was like, ‘Let’s make a push.’ “[/blockquote]
Blatche gets the Nets in single digits with a fade away and drew a foul on next play. Raptors lead down to 70-62 early fourth. More Blatche gets it within six. Watson and Johnson help the Nets stay in the game down 76-70 with six to play. Don’t call it a comeback. Blatche in with Lopez and Williams to get the Net to 77-75 with four to play. A bad clear path foul called again hurt the Nets and Toronto stretched the lead to 83-75, 3:36 left. The Nets battled back anyway to trail 89-84 with 37.7 to play and the ball. Shots didn’t fall late and Raptors made their free throws late to hold on 93-87. Derozan led the Raptors with 34 points. Williams with 30 points and seven assists.
STAT OF THE NIGHT: Reggie Evans has 17 straight double digit rebounding games with 16 more today. Keith Bogans had hit 1 for his last 21 3-before hitting two straight in first to get Nets out of a 14-2 start.
GAMECHANGER: The Nets got hammered on the boards 29-15 at the half ad helped open the door for the Raptors 27-12 second quarter burst.
LEADERS:
Points – Williams – 30
Rebounds – Evans – 16
Assists – Williams – 7
BOXSCORE REPLAY