Raptors 103 – Nets 95: Too close
By Brian Boake
The shorthanded Raptors met the Nets in Brooklyn. A determined and skillful Kyle Lowry led his team to a solid win.
The Toronto Raptors were in desperate need of a victory. Although they allowed the Brooklyn Nets to hang around in the game’s second half, Toronto’s big second quarter provided a sufficient cushion. Kyle Lowry, though misfiring badly from beyond the arc, racked up a triple-double of 15 points, and 11 each of (defensive) rebounds and assists. Jonas Valanciunas poured in 22 points.
Toronto’s roster is a work in progress, as once again coach Dwane Casey had to cope without DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Patterson. Additionally, Cory Joseph, who is in the doghouse, never set foot on the floor. As a result, the Raptors leaned heavily on rookies Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet; even Jakob Poeltl got a few minutes.
If you’re going to play kids and still grab a win, disappointment is likely most of the time – but not when you’re facing the Nets. When the productive and intimidating center Brook Lopez sits down, their lineup resembles a middle-of-the-pack D-League squad. Their luck isn’t great either; Quincy Acy had barely entered the game when he stepped badly, or perhaps on someone’s foot, and left with obvious ankle pain. He’s one of their few veterans.
Another slow night for 3-balls
Struggling shooters like Terrence Ross took advantage of getting some room to move against the defensively challenged Nets. His 17 points off the bench was much needed; he outscored the starting small forward, DeMarre Carroll. Those two were the only Raptors to hit 3-balls, combining for 5. That was how many Lowry missed, but our lead dog was clicking in other aspects of his game.
JV was the grateful recipient of many fine Lowry passes, which our center turned into easy buckets at the rim. Unfortunately, VanVleet didn’t get the message about moving the ball, and dribbled himself into trouble time and again. He made just of 2 of 10 often contested and off-balance shots, though he was 6 for 6 from the charity stripe. Several of those freebies were badly needed as the game wound down.
The Raptors had led by as many as 17 points, but allowed the Nets’ Sean Kilpatrick to fire away from deep. He shot them back into the game, and the Nets were within 4 with 5+ minutes remaining. Happily for snake-bitten Raps fans, the good guys pushed the lead back up to 10 in short order. The Nets were never again closer than 6.
Toronto faces a much tougher opponent tomorrow night at the ACC. The Los Angeles Clippers are in town.
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