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April 30th, 2014
Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors Game 5 Recap
Final Score: Nets 113 Raptors 115
In a crucial Game 5 on the road after losing Game 4 at home due to a late game scoring drought, the Nets found themselves down by 26 points at one point on Wednesday night, but fought back. Their miraculous attempt of a comeback however came up a little short, as after a offensive rebound on a missed free throw on purpose by Andray Blatche, he threw a wild pass over Deron Williams head, leading to a backcourt violation and a loss.
Player of the Game: Joe Johnson
As it has been for most of the series, Joe Johnson has been the Nets go to guy, and in an important Game 5 it was no different. Johnson took over the game for the Nets in the second half, as he finished with a team-high 30 points on 13 for 23 shooting, and was the major catalyst in the Nets attempted comeback. Johnson was a ridiculous +22 when on the court in the loss, but his early foul trouble in the first half certainly put the Nets behind the eight-ball.
Positives:
When the Nets went down by 26, Jason Kidd would strike gold with a few bench players, as Mirza Teletovic, Alan Anderson, and Blatche were big parts of the comeback. Teletovic was the Nets best player off the bench, as he finished with 17 points on six for 10 shooting, which included four three-pointers, and seven rebounds. Anderson also played well down the stretch, as he scored 13 points on four for seven shooting, and had two four-point plays in the fourth quarter.
Negatives:
In the Raptors Game 5 victory, Kyle Lowry had a fantastic performance, as he led his team to their first lead of the series. Lowry finished with a game-high 36 points on 11 for 19 shooting, with six three-pointers. Lowry also dished out six assists, as he outplayed Deron Williams, who finished with only 13 points, as the aggressive Williams that we have seen throughout the series wasn’t anywhere to be found in Game 5.
Lowry wasn’t alone in playing well for the Raptors, as his backcourt partner DeMar DeRozan played good yet again, as the highest scoring backcourt in the NBA Playoffs combined for 59 in Game 5. DeRozan finished with 23 points on five for 12 shooting, but went an outstanding 12 for 13 from the free throw line to go along with six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Greivis Vasquez also had a solid Game 5, as he scored 15 points on six for 12 shooting with six rebounds, and two assists.
The Nets veterans, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce were both non-factors in the crucial Game 5, as when the Nets went on their run, Pierce and Garnett were both on the bench, and never returned. Garnett only played 12 minutes with four points and two rebounds, while Pierce scored 10 points with five turnovers in 24 minutes.
Next up for the Nets will be possibly their last game of the season at home, where they have been so great all season, and will need to win one more to keep their season alive.
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