The resilience of the Brooklyn Nets wasn’t enough to stop the 2019 NBA Champions in game 1, round 1 in the Eastern Conference of the NBA playoffs.
Brooklyn made a valiant effort after a slow start against the Toronto Raptors Monday afternoon in Orlando. However, the scoring and defense of the Raptors prevailed as the Nets lost 134-110.
Despite Injuries Yanks Roll On
The Nets trailed 37-20 at the end of the first quarter and were behind 73-51 by halftime. The team returned with fervor and outscored Toronto 36-22 in the third quarter. Brooklyn cut the lead to 95-86 as Jared Allen beat the buzzer to end the third. They could not carry over the momentum falling behind in the fourth quarter and were outscored by the Raptors 39 to 24.
Timothy Luwawu-Cabarrot led the Nets with 26 points. Allen had the team high of 12 rebounds. Guard Caris Lavert had 15 points and led Brooklyn with 15 assists. Fred VanVleet led the Raptors with 30 points and 11 assists and Pascal Siakam grabbed 11 rebounds for Toronto.
The Raptors shot 47.1% from the field and made 50% of their three-pointers, while the Nets shot 46.7% from the field and made 31% from three-point range.
Interim Head coach Jacque Vaughn following tweeted after the game. “You give Toronto credit. They are champions…they were trying to deliver an early message to the group. I did like the way our group responded after halftime and accepted that first punch from Toronto. The rounds will continue.”
Brooklyn and Toronto meet again Wednesday afternoon for Game 2.
