TorontoRaptors103
The Brooklyn Nets fall short against the Toronto Raptors to extend their losing streak to nine games, their home losing streak to 12, and their streak against the Raptors to eight.
The Brooklyn Nets started the game off close, and ended bringing it close again, but, most of the game in the middle, was all Toronto Raptors. The Nets got it to within four points a little more than halfway through the fourth, but could not seal the deal.
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Kyle Lowry came to Brooklyn without back court partner in DeMar DeRozan but showed the world that he does not really need him to perform at the level we know Kyle Lowry can perform. Lowry actually notched a triple-double on the afternoon with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Leading the game in scoring was Toronto’s big man, Jonas Valanciunas with 22 points. Valanciunas seemed to get all of points off of slam dunks. It was that easy for him down low today. For Brooklyn, Brook Lopez led the way with 20 points. Not far behind him, though, was Sean Kilpatrick with 18 points.
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Arguably the largest factor in this game was the second quarter where Brooklyn got outscored 29-19. Not only was the second quarter a difference in points, it was also the quarter where Brooklyn could not hold on to the ball. By the time halftime reached, Brooklyn had turned the ball over 16 times. No one is going to win basketball games with 16 turnovers in a single half of basketball.
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Another huge difference in this game was points in the paint. The Raptors had 58 points in the paint compared to Brooklyn’s 38. Valanciunas was a huge reason for Toronto’s dominance in the paint as it really was slam city for him. Terrence Ross even had a couple nasty slams today, too. Needless to say, Brooklyn had no defense down low which is to be expected when Trevor Booker does not start.
This was once again a game in which Brooklyn was playing well and could have won. There is always that one run or stretch where nothing goes the way of the Nets which ruins all hopes and chances. This year is about learning and developing. Not just the players, the coach and the GM are both rookies and there is always growing pains to a new job.
Up next for Brooklyn are the Charlotte Hornets down in North Carolina on Tuesday night. The Raptors will head back up to Toronto to take on the Los Angeles Clippers tomorrow night.
