Nets Comeback Falls Short in Toronto

sfgate.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

April 14th, 2013

Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors Post Game Recap

Final Score: Nets 87 Raptors 93

After a big win on Friday night against the Indiana Pacers the Brooklyn Nets had a let down on Sunday afternoon losing to the Raptors, and with the loss the Nets are now locked into the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Positives:

Deron Williams was once again awesome for Brooklyn in the loss, as his great game was a main reason that the Nets were able to come back in this one, and attempt to make a comeback after being down by as many as 21. Williams finished the game with a team-high 30 points on 11 for 20 shooting, and dished out seven assists. Williams also had his second dunk of the season, which is a good sign heading into the playoffs that his legs are healthy, as he said earlier this season that he couldn’t dunk due to his ankle problems.



With most of the starting lineup not playing well Andray Blatche stepped up for Brooklyn off the bench with a very good game. Blatche outscored the rest of the bench combined, as he had 15 points on six for nine shooting, and did a good job on the glass grabbing eight rebounds in 26 minutes of play.

A good note as the Nets head into the playoff has to be their improved job of taking care of the basketball, which will be a key for Brooklyn come playoff time especially if they win their first round match-up and have to play the Miami Heat in the second round, who feast off turnovers. In the loss to the Raptors the Nets only turned it over seven times, which is extremely good.

Negatives:

The other two members of Brooklyn’s Big 3, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez were unable to match the high level of play from Williams, and with Johnson and Lopez struggling scoring was a major problem for the Nets. Lopez got off to a terrible start going zero for six from the field, but played a bit better as the game went on, finishing with 16 points on seven for 19 shooting. Lopez did struggle from the line going a mere two for six from the charity stripe. Joe Johnson after back to back games of 20 or more points really struggled badly in this one on both ends. Johnson finished with just 12 points on a horrendous four for 16 shooting, which included going two for nine from three-point land.

Toronto has had a disappointing season, but moving forward into next season they have to like what they saw from the combo of DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay in the win on Sunday. DeRozan had a game-high 36 points on 12 for 22 shooting, and went a perfect nine for nine at the free throw line. His partner in crime Rudy Gay also played well, as he scored 26 points on 10 for 19 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

The Nets will be back in action on Monday night against the Washington Wizards, and it would seem likely with no possibilities to move up or down in the standings that P.J. Carlesimo may choose to sit some players.