Nets Can't Claw Back Against Raptors
February 17, 2010
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—Friday at the IZOD Center, the Nets couldn't contain a balanced Raptors team that shot .597, winning 106-89 despite the absence of star forward Chris Bosh. Seven Raptors scored in double-figures, led by 18 points and 10 assists from point guard Jarrett Jack; they assisted 30 of 43 field goals. The Nets trailed 32-21 after one, and though they closed within six late in the third quarter, the Raptors continually reversed any momentum shifts back in their favor.
For the full recap, read Bob Considine's story on NBA.com: Click Here
Nets Can't Claw Back Against Raptors
It seemed like the Nets caught a break. Raptors forward Chris Bosh sprained his ankle late in Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies, and didn't travel for Friday's game at the IZOD Center. With a 24-point-, 11-rebound-averaging All-Star linchpin removed from the lineup, the Nets had a chance to stymie Toronto's offense.
Though the Nets opened the game with a Devin Harris-to-Brook Lopez lob for a layup, they allowed the Raptors to answer back when Rasho Nesterovic nailed a hook shot with the shot clock winding down. All five Raptors touched the ball, swinging it crisply until the open man put points on the board, a sequence that would be repeated throughout a 106-89 Nets loss in which the Raptors shot .597 from the field and assisted 30 of 43 baskets (70%).
"I wouldn't say they did anything to take us out of our gameplan," said Nets forward Jarvis Hayes. "We just didn't execute well enough. They got out in transition and sped up the tempo and we didn't keep up."
Nesterovich hit another three shots before the first quarter ended with Toronto leading 32-21. Of nine Raptors to enter the game, eight scored at least one basket, and seven registered an assist. Toronto stretched its advantage to 15 by halftime, as Lopez's 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting was offset by Nesterovic's 12 points (6-7 FGs), six rebounds and four assists.
The Nets repeatedly attempted to cut into the lead, but any seeming momentum would be immediately answered, like when Harris and rookie Terrence Williams made consecutive second-quarter steals. The twin thievery resulted in only three points (a layup and 1-of-2 free throws); in response, Toronto's Hedo Turkoglu drove for a layup while being fouled.
Though he missed the free throw and Harris hit Lopez for an alley-oop dunk, Raptors point guard Jarrett Jack (18 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists) swished a catch-and-shoot three-pointer, pushing the lead back out to 16. The Nets threatened again late in the third, reeling off a 8-2 run that cut the lead to six points with 1 ½ minutes left in the quarter.
Momentum compounded when they forced a 24-second violation in spectacular fashion on the ensuing possession. Raptors reserve big Amir Johnson drove the middle, but was bottled up by Josh Boone, causing a scramble when the ball popped loose. Boone and Devin Harris each hit the deck – Boone more than once – and the buzzer signaled Nets ball.
On the other end, Harris found Hayes open beyond the three-point line, but the three rolled off the rim, and Raptors big Andrea Bargnani drove for a layup to end the run. Keyon Dooling then missed a jumper, leaving Toronto with the quarter's final possession, and Jose Calderon was able to pump a defender into the air before wetting a trey as time expired. The 11-point lead didn't shrink the rest of the way.
"We made a run when we got out in transition a little bit," Harris said. "We got some stops. That was the key thing. They had a hot shooting night and we caught them in a period where they were missing some shots and we were getting some easy buckets in transition. They found their rhythm again in the fourth quarter and we weren't able to get the stops we needed to get."
The 24-second violation proved important, because Harris said that at one point, Boone planted on his foot before diving; Harris attempted to do the same, but in a different direction, and ended up spraining his left knee. The point guard returned to play seven fourth-quarter minutes, but seemed limited, going scoreless and dishing a single assist after having amassed 19 points and 10 assists in the first three periods.
Despite returning with a brace, Harris offered assurances postgame, saying the knee would be fine.
"I just sort of twisted it a little bit," Harris said. "It's not anything to worry about."
Bargnani's Big Improvement
While Chris Bosh missed his first game of the year, fellow big Andrea Bargnani had his third efficient outing against the Nets this season, racking up 13 points (5-9 FGs, 3-4 FTs) and six rebounds while helping to neutralize Yi Jianlian (2-13 FGs).
"It's tough because he can shoot the ball, he's big and can play in the post," said Nets center Brook Lopez, pregame. "He's quick for his size, too, so you've got to try to limit one thing and make him rely on his counters."
The No. 1 overall pick in 2006, Bargnani has improved for a second straight season after struggling into his sophomore year, boosting his nightly averages to 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while shooting .367 from three and .475 overall.
Bargnani played well in each of the Raptors' two previous games against the Nets, averaging 18.0 points and helping to limit Lopez, who scored only 26 points while turning the ball over seven times. The 7-footer wields a versatile offensive game, having become more comfortable not only shooting from deep, but also playing in the post.
The Nets went small for long stretches on Wednesday, and Bargnani was quick to take advantage of any mismatches, posting up smaller players. As the Raptors were sealing the game in the fourth, the 7-foot Bargnani found himself positioned with 6-foot-6 swingman Terrence Williams defending 20 feet from the rim. Receiving the ball with his back to the basket, Bargnani held post position before a quick shoulder fake and spin forced Williams to foul or allow an easy bucket.
"I think I play good offensively when we share the ball," said Bargnani before the game, presciently. "That's when we win, that's when we play great basketball, when everybody passes the ball to each other. I'm just a part of the offense, that makes me feel good."
Bargnani's shooting is stellar for a big man; among qualifying forwards and centers, his .369 three-point percentage ranks 19th in the league. Yet for all the focus on his offense, Bargnani manages to block 1.5 shots per game, including six in the two games against the Nets.
The center knows his defense is improving, mostly because he's developed a better feel for when to help and when to stay home, but continues to work on it. It's a recipe that has succeeded so far, and his progression has been noticed around the league.
"He had an interesting path," said Nets Coach and GM Kiki Vandeweghe, pregame. "They just left him on the court until he did it. He struggled for a while, but found his rhythm, his own way to be successful. Everyone's got their own way to be successful in this league; some players find it earlier than others, some players never find it. But he's certainly found it and he's a real good player."
Newark Next for the Nets
The Nets announced Thursday that the team would be temporarily relocating to Newark's Prudential Center beginning with the upcoming 2010-11 season. The interim step will precede the Nets' planned move to Brooklyn and the Barclays Center in 2012.
But even the fall is too far away for some players.
"Honestly, I didn't think about it," said center Brook Lopez. "The future to me is tomorrow, pretty much. That's it. I'm so focused on the now, I didn't even think about it."
With a chance to reflect, Lopez might remember the robust, energetic crowds that packed a pair of preseason games played at "The Rock" earlier this year.
"It was great (and) the fans were great," said point guard Devin Harris. "It's something new for us. the facility's great, we're excited about it, and it's another thing to look forward to for next season. But we're still concentrating on what we've got going on."
