Nets Continue To Take Advantage Of Home

The Nets uptempo pace early in the game made all the difference in the win. Brooklyn scored early and created a gap that Toronto could not close even as they started to make a comeback in the fourth quarter.

“It ended up really being the difference in the game,” said Brooklyn Nets Head Coach Jacque Vaughn.  “We decided to hit first and it was multiple things. Whether it was the rebounding piece, which we took care of in the first quarter; the pace that we played with; sticking to the game plan; building positions to help each other on the drive, so over all (it was) a really a good approach to the game and we got rewarded for it.”

The Nets led 41-17 at the end of the first quarter.  They out-rebounded the Raptors 12-7 and went to the free throw line more, eight times compared to Toronto’s four in the quarter. However, the Raptors landed more free throws 100% compared to the Nets 62.5% in the quarter. Yet, Brooklyn maintained their aggressiveness leading 72-49 at halftime and 93-72 at the end of the third quarter. Toronto increased their efforts after halftime and even outscored Brooklyn 33-21 in the fourth quarter, but the Nets early efforts were proved proficient.

“We don’t want the end of the game similar to like we had today,” Irving said about the Raptors’ last minute push and plans to face the Boston Celtics Saturday. “It turned into a little bit of an an All Star game at the end. A lot of easy baskets that Toronto was getting. Just for us to be a good team we just got to play the full 48 minutes.”

Brooklyn will need the same energy to win as they face Boston, who ousted them in the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs last season.

“We can’t make mistakes ourselves, because they capitalize on it,” Kevin Durant added. “We just got to be solid. Be ready to play. I’m excited about it.”

Durant and Joe Harris each had 17 total points for the game. Durant led the team with seven assists and had nine total rebounds. Harris had his best game this season and also contributed four assists and five total rebounds. Irving led the Nets with 27 points.