The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Toronto Raptors on the road, 109-93, to gain a much needed quality win. For Brooklyn, they have now won two consecutive games.
Jarrett Jack led the charge with 24 points, six assists, and was 9 for 13 from the field. Jack did a good job of breaking the Raptors off the dribble and getting his teammates involved. The former Raptor Alan Anderson recorded 22 points and five boards. Anderson is a streaky shooter and when he plays the way he did tonight, it will be lights out.
Bojan Bogdonavic was a spark off the bench, as he dropped 11 points and was 3 for 4 from three. In his second game after missing 11 games with a rib injury, Deron Williams had 11 points along with six rebounds. With Williams back, it gives Brooklyn a guy who can execute down the stretch, and his ability to attack the rack will open up the floor for shooters.
Terrence Ross scored 23 points on 9 of 16 shooting. He is slowly earning the trust in his coach Dwane Casey. We are seeing more signs of consistency now, and it needs to grow to the point where he makes an impact every time he is in the game. Kyle Lowry put in 13 points and 10 assists for the Raptors, but they still dropped the second straight loss after previously winning six games in a row.
In 35 minutes, DeMar DeRozan scored 13 points. His shot was not falling, as he went 5 of 13 from the field before he was ejected with a flagrant two foul.
This season we have seen the Raptors get frustrated with the calls and for the Raptors, they can't get caught up with the officiating. They need to worry more about the next play.
The fourth quarter began with Brooklyn leading by four, 76-72. Anderson helped extend the lead as he hit three free throws and a slam dunk. From a defensive standpoint, the Raptors did not play well enough, as Brooklyn scored 33 points in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Overall, they did an abysmal job of protecting the paint and closing out on shooters.
Patrick Patterson made a layup near the eight-minute mark, but Brooklyn answered back with some jump shots, as Jarrett Jack made a mid-range shot and Bogdonovic made back-to-back threes. The Raptors were unable to climb back into the game from there on.
Toronto will look to get back on track Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. Meanwhile, the Nets will clash against their crosstown rivals the New York Knicks.