Nets-Raptors Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN
Posted Jan 05 2012 4:09PM

The New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors concluded last season second from the bottom and in last place, respectively, in the Atlantic Division.

While the injury-plagued Nets could be headed for another disappointing finish, the Raptors are enjoying some early season success thanks to some stifling defense.

New Jersey looks to avoid a fifth consecutive loss at Toronto as it tries to snap a six-game overall losing streak Friday night.

Already dealing with center Brook Lopez's prolonged injury absence, New Jersey (1-6) was without point guard Deron Williams (ribs) and power forward Kris Humphries (sprained left shoulder) during an 89-70 loss at Boston on Wednesday.

The status of Williams and Humphries for Friday is uncertain.

The Nets, outscored by an average of 18.0 points since a season-opening 90-84 win at Washington, could also be without promising rookie MarShon Brooks. Making his first start, Brooks scored 15 of his 17 points before halftime Wednesday but was slowed over the final two quarters after hurting his left ankle in the second period.

Though X-rays were negative, Brooks' status is uncertain. He's scored at least 17 points in five of his last six games.

"He had an awfully good first half for us. He showed how explosive he is offensively and I think since he kind of tweaked it in the first and it took a lot of his energy in the second half," coach Avery Johnson said. "He tried to play through it."

The Nets, shooting a NBA-worst 38.7 percent from the floor, could struggle to get going versus the Raptors (3-3). Toronto is surrendering 91.5 points per game while holding opponents to 39.8 percent shooting - best in the league.

"Believe me, we're nowhere near where we need to be," first-year coach Dwane Casey said. "Defensively we're making strides. We're thinking defensively and thinking in terms of getting stops, which is a part of the culture change.

"We're playing playoff style basketball. Whether we're a playoff team or not, I venture to say we're not right now ... But we're playing the style of defense that it takes to play in the playoffs."

The Raptors' defensive prowess was on display in a 92-77 win over Cleveland on Wednesday. Toronto held the Cavaliers to a season-low point total and limited them to 29.6 percent from the field - the lowest mark by an opponent in more than two years.

Andrea Bargnani, averaging a team-best 24.0 points, scored a season-high 31 and shot 11 of 16 while DeMar DeRozan had a season-high 25.

DeRozan, who spent the offseason working on his shot, went 5 of 8 from 3-point range. He's gone 10 of 16 from beyond the arc this season after a 5-for-52 performance in 2010-11.

"It's showing me that my hard work is paying off," he said.

"That's the one thing the team and I wanted to accomplish coming in this season, being able to do that, not just for myself but for my teammates so we can get easy buckets."

Toronto, which also prevailed 90-85 at New York on Monday, hasn't won three straight since a four-game run Nov. 17-24, 2010.

The Raptors have taken eight of 10 home meetings with New Jersey.

Nets use 3-point barrage to beat Raptors 97-85

Posted Jan 06 2012 11:19PM

TORONTO (AP) With their long-range shots falling one after another, Deron Williams and the New Jersey Nets had some fun for a change.

Williams had 24 points and nine assists, Anthony Morrow also scored 24 and the Nets snapped a six-game losing streak by beating the Toronto Raptors 97-85 on Friday night.

"It's fun to win," Williams said. "It's fun to be up and not down 20."

DeShawn Stevenson added 15 points for the Nets, who made a season-high 15 3-pointers to win for the first time since their opener, Dec. 26 at Washington.

"We needed a win in the worst way," Williams said. "I think everybody realized that tonight and we buckled down defensively."

Nets coach Avery Johnson was happy to see his players enjoying the victory in the locker room.

"We wanted to smile," Johnson said. "For five or so games we've been having a frown on our face and we wanted to smile after a game."

New Jersey guard Jordan Farmar came off the bench to score 10 points and ex-Raptor Kris Humphries matched a season high with 16 rebounds.

"We really were in desperate need of a win tonight," Humphries said.

Fifteen of New Jersey's 31 field goals were from beyond the arc. The Nets made four 3s in the first quarter, five in the second, two in the third and pulled away with four more in the fourth, leading by as many as 21 points.

Stevenson said Williams was the key factor in creating opportunities for New Jersey's outside threats.

"When you have two shooters like me and (Morrow), they've got to pick which one. I got open 3s, (Morrow) got open 3s. That's the way you've got to play.

"That's why I came here," Stevenson added. "(Williams) is an All-Star point guard, he does great things out there. If you put him in a situation where the court is spread, we can get wide-open jumpers all day."

Jose Calderon scored a season-high 19 points and Andrea Bargnani had 17, but the Raptors couldn't extend their winning streak to three games.

"It goes back to us not stepping on the court and playing desperate," coach Dwane Casey said. "Not playing tight, but playing like a desperate, hungry team and I don't think we did that tonight."

Toronto's DeMar DeRozan, who made a career-high five 3-pointers in Wednesday's victory over Cleveland, was held to three points in this one, hitting just one of six field goal attempts and spending most of the fourth quarter on the bench.

Johnson credited Stevenson's tough defense as the key to keeping DeRozan in check.

"The player of the game for us was DeShawn Stevenson," Johnson said. "The defense that he played on DeRozan was incredible."

Rasual Butler and Ed Davis each had 11 points for Toronto.

Already without center Brook Lopez (broken right foot), rookie guard MarShon Brooks (sprained left ankle) and forward Damion James (sore right foot), the Nets lost starting center Mehmet Okur to back spasms 3 minutes into the opening quarter.

But they were boosted by Williams, who returned after missing Wednesday's loss at Boston with sore ribs, and Humphries, back after skipping the previous two games because of a sore left shoulder. Both were in the starting lineup.

Morrow scored 14 points in the first half to give New Jersey a 48-40 lead at the break, Toronto's largest halftime deficit of the season.

The Nets led 75-64 after three, taking a lead into the final quarter for the first time this season.

NOTES: Nine of New Jersey's first 14 field goals were 3-pointers. ... All four Nets players named Williams (Deron, Jordan, Shelden and Shawne) were on the floor together during one stretch in the third quarter. ... New Jersey has had a lower shooting percentage than its opponent in all eight games so far. ... Toronto guard Jerryd Bayless (sprained left ankle) missed his fourth straight game. ... This was the first of seven games in nine days for the Raptors, who visit Philadelphia on Saturday before playing three consecutive nights next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. ... Toronto hasn't won three straight since a four-game run from Nov. 17-24, 2010. ... Toronto Blue Jays players J.P. Arencibia, Casey Janssen, Brett Lawrie and Ricky Romero attended the game.

• Nets: James, Lopez
• Raptors: Alabi, Gray, Kleiza

• Nets: --
• Raptors: Magloire

• Lead Changes: 13
• Times Tied: 3

• Arena: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON
• Officials: #57 Greg Willard, #6 Tony Brown, #54 Nick Buchert
• Attendance: 16771
• Duration: 2:20