OGT: Dec 12 Brooklyn Nets (11-9) vs Toronto Raptors (4-18)

[Legends66NBA7]

Brooklyn Nets Starting Lineup

PG - Deron Williams
SG - Joe Johnson
SF - Gerald Wallace
PF - Reggie Evans
C - Andray Blatche

Toronto Raptors Starting Lineup

PG - Jose Calderon
SG - DeMar DeRozan
SF - Mickael Pietrus
PF - Ed Davis
C - Jonas Valanciunas

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/nets-raptors-preview-045706032--nba.html


Coincidence or not, the Brooklyn Nets are in the midst of their worst stretch of the season while Brook Lopez nurses an injury.

The struggling Toronto Raptors are dealing with their own woes, and they'll be down to eight healthy players Wednesday night when these teams meet in Canada looking to snap five-game losing streaks.

Lopez hoped his sprained right foot was healed enough to play Tuesday against New York, but he was ruled out before the game and is not scheduled to make the trip to Toronto.

The Nets (11-9) have lost the last five of the six games Lopez has missed after blowing a 17-point lead in a 100-97 loss to the Knicks. Brooklyn shot 52.9 percent -- its second-best mark of the season -- but only 45.2 percent in the second half as New York took advantage.

Andray Blatche, averaging 18.2 points starting in place of Lopez, hit 9 of 13 from the field and scored a season-high 23 points. Deron Williams added 18 and 10 assists.

The Nets have led by at least nine points in four games during their skid.

"This was a winnable game, but we just couldn't quite close it," coach Avery Johnson said.

Lopez, who hopes to return Friday against Detroit, scored 27 points while Williams finished with 19 and nine assists Nov. 3 in a 107-100 home victory over Toronto, which concluded a winless five-game road trip with a 92-74 loss to Portland on Monday.

Frustration for the Raptors (4-18), who set a season low for points while shooting a season-worst 35.1 percent, hit a new high when forward Amir Johnson was ejected in the third quarter while trying to wrestle the ball from referee David Jones following a Blazers free throw. After being tossed, he threw his mouthpiece at Jones and had to be escorted off the court by teammates.

The league suspended Johnson without pay for this game.

"I told him we can't have that on a night where we're short-handed and we're in a situation where we're scrambling," coach Dwane Casey said. "We just gotta have more discipline than that."

Toronto already was playing without Andrea Bargnani and Kyle Lowry, who scored 28 points in last month's meeting with Brooklyn, after each left with injuries.

Bargnani played less than eight minutes and left after landing awkwardly following a dunk for his only two points of the game. X-rays on his elbow were negative, but he's not expected to play Wednesday.

Lowry also is likely to miss this game after not playing in the second half Monday due to a shoulder injury.

"Somebody grabbed his arm and he hit the floor and he just felt he had a knot in his back," Casey said.

The absences of Johnson, Bargnani and Lowry, along with Linas Kleiza, Alan Anderson and Landry Fields already being sidelined by injuries, leaves Casey with just eight healthy bodies. Toronto already has the most losses in the NBA and is shooting 38.9 percent over the last four games.

The Raptors have won five of the last six meetings in Canada, though MarShon Brooks was the only current Net who played in Toronto's 98-67 victory in the most recent meeting there April 26.

Ed Davis, who had a season-high 14 points against Portland on Monday, scored a career-high 24 in that contest.

Game Link: http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/158507/1/watch-toronto-raptors-vs-brooklyn-nets.html

[kaiteng]

Punani is out. Amir is out. Lowry is out.

I'm ready to have BROOKLYN RAGGGGGGGGGEE!!

[Skywalker]

its too bad Lowry is out but this is till the most excited Ive been to watch the team since like the first few games

[PyrrhusX]

I herd Toronto only have 8 healthy players dressed?

[Bcogswell]

I herd Toronto only have 8 healthy players dressed?

9 players now, I believe Acy got called up from the D-League.

[Bcogswell]

Ed Davis pulling up with confidence for that jumpshot. :cheers:

[Bcogswell]

Ed and Jonas leading the way so far! :bowdown:

[Bcogswell]

Val blowing by Evans for the slam! 4 points for Val already :cheers:

[kaiteng]

I hope Ed Davis will prove his worth to Casey so he will get more minutes after this game. I hope........

[Bcogswell]

I hope Ed Davis will prove his worth to Casey so he will get more minutes after this game. I hope........

I think he has already proved his worth, Casey just doesn't have the balls to bench Bargnani.

:confusedshrug:

[Skywalker]

Ed and Val combo lookin nice

[Skywalker]

This is awesome. Aaron gray coming in will be a buzz kill though.

[RaininThrees]

Ed and Val combo lookin nice

Yeah man.

Hollinger had an (insider) article recently that spoke about this. I'll see if I can find it.

[Twiens]

Ed and Val combo lookin nice
Raps should be re-building around these 2. Davis has gotten way better this year.

[madmax]

Val and Ed raping the whole Brooklyn team in the paint:lol :cheers:

[Bcogswell]

Rossss :cheers:

[KG215]

Seriously, why doesn't Davis get more minutes or even start over Bargnani? 11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 assist already for him. I've only watched three or four Toronto games this year, but it seems like very game Davis will come in and put up like 8 and 3 in a few minutes, come out, then play sporadically throughout the rest of the game.

[RaininThrees]

Seriously, why doesn't Davis get more minutes or even start over Bargnani?


http://www.raptorsdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/bryan_colangelo.jpg

[Bcogswell]

Nice kick out for the three by DeMar, just to bad Ross missed it. :hammerhead:

[KG215]

Kyle Lowry, Valanciunas, Ed Davis, DeRozan (maybe?), and Terrence Ross should be "the future." If that's the case, though, they need to get some shooters or trade DeRozan for a SG/SF who can shoot the three ball. That can't be your starting five because you have no shooters, but that's a good solid young foundation to build around.

[Legends66NBA7]

Kyle Lowry, Valanciunas, Ed Davis, DeRozan (maybe?), and Terrence Ross should be "the future." If that's the case, though, they need to get some shooters or trade DeRozan for a SG/SF who can shoot the three ball.

Actually, that's the 5 players I would take for the future as well, but yes DeRozan really needs to becoming better at his shooting and Ross as his consistency.

[Qwyjibo]

Kyle Lowry, Valanciunas, Ed Davis, DeRozan (maybe?), and Terrence Ross should be "the future." If that's the case, though, they need to get some shooters or trade DeRozan for a SG/SF who can shoot the three ball.
I'd shorten that to just Valanciunas and Ed Davis. And Davis is no lock either.

Lowry is going to be at his peak soon and requiring a big contract. He's very good but he might be more valuable as a trade asset than a player to a rebuilding (what the Raptors should be doing) team. The Raptors likely will not be a good team during any of Lowry's best seasons.

Derozan isn't good enough to justify the contract he got. His improvement over 3+ years now has been minimal. I'd be looking to dump that contract.

Ross was a reach to begin with and hasn't shown anything. But as long as he's on his rookie deal you're in no rush to trade him.

[Legends66NBA7]

Nice kick out for the three by DeMar, just to bad Ross missed it. :hammerhead:

DeRozan hasn't scored and missed his 2 shots, but he's already got 2 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block.

If your shots aren't falling, do other things to help your team win. That's what I want to see out of DeRozan, when he's not scoring.

[KG215]

http://www.raptorsdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/bryan_colangelo.jpg
Would Colangelo not let that happen? Would he go to that extent and micromanage Casey?

[Bcogswell]

Ross throwing down on Brooks! :cheers:

[konex]

Raps are feeding their bigs tonight...

[Bcogswell]

DeRozan hasn't scored and missed his 2 shots, but he's already got 2 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block.

If your shots aren't falling, do other things to help your team win. That's what I want to see out of DeRozan, when he's not scoring.

I agree, his overall game has improved as seen from his increase in rebounding numbers and his improved ability to pass off his drive / out of the double team. He would be averaging a few more assists a game if we had people that knocked down their shots. :confusedshrug:

[KG215]

I'd shorten that to just Valanciunas and Ed Davis. And Davis is no lock either.

Lowry is going to be at his peak soon and requiring a big contract. He's very good but he might be more valuable as a trade asset than a player to a rebuilding (what the Raptors should be doing) team. The Raptors likely will not be a good team during any of Lowry's best seasons.

Derozan isn't good enough to justify the contract he got. His improvement over 3+ years now has been minimal. I'd be looking to dump that contract.

Ross was a reach to begin with and hasn't shown anything. But as long as he's on his rookie deal you're in no rush to trade him.
Only reason I included Ross is because his body of work is so small; but I agree, he could be expendable, too. Lots of raw athleticism and talent but he was still a pretty big reach at number eight.

How old is Lowry? I thought he was in his mid-20s (25ish). But you're that reay to get rid of all but one or two players?

I think DeRozan is a nice player but yeah, his contract seems too expensive. Really, though, they need shooters. Keep Valanciunas, maybe Davis, and maybe one of Ross or DeRozan, get some shooters.

[Bcogswell]

Raps are feeding their bigs tonight...

I think the team wants to prove to Casey and BC that it should be Ed Davis starting and not Bargnani. Hence Calderon looking to feed him the ball every time down the floor. :banana:

[Legends66NBA7]

Would Colangelo not let that happen? Would he go to that extent and micromanage Casey?

Because his ego won't let him. He really still feels the needs to prove that picking Bargs as his #1 pick still could have a lot value for this team, but deep down he know he's wrong.

He know he messed up in that draft, but will continue to give Bargs more opportunities. And yes, Casey is really his puppet.


I agree, his overall game has improved as seen from his increase in rebounding numbers and his improved ability to pass off his drive / out of the double team. He would be averaging a few more assists a game if we had people that knocked down their shots. :confusedshrug:

I agree.

[Bcogswell]

Ross has been throwing down some bombs, but he can't make any of his jumpshots. :banghead:

[RaininThrees]

Would Colangelo not let that happen? Would he go to that extent and micromanage Casey?

The GM absolutely has a say in how much P/T a guy gets. Coaches' decisions aren't made in a vacuum.

[Bcogswell]

Val cleaning up the garbage! :D

[RaininThrees]

Does Deron Williams always slick his hair forward like that?

I speak from experience, I know what's going on there.

#balding

[RaininThrees]

I'd shorten that to just Valanciunas and Ed Davis. And Davis is no lock either.

Lowry is going to be at his peak soon and requiring a big contract. He's very good but he might be more valuable as a trade asset than a player to a rebuilding (what the Raptors should be doing) team. The Raptors likely will not be a good team during any of Lowry's best seasons.

Derozan isn't good enough to justify the contract he got. His improvement over 3+ years now has been minimal. I'd be looking to dump that contract.

Ross was a reach to begin with and hasn't shown anything. But as long as he's on his rookie deal you're in no rush to trade him.

I'm gonna say it, and I know it's not the popular opinion:

I've been thoroughly unimpressed with Lowry's play this year. Injuries play a part of that, for sure... but a guy can only impact a team if he's playing.

[bagelred]

This is awesome. Aaron gray coming in will be a buzz kill though.

http://p.twimg.com/Azh-6CsCYAEXPo0.jpg:large

[Bcogswell]

Aaron Gray with the hookshot? :wtf:

[bih]

3 fouls already Valanciunas

:facepalm :facepalm

[Bcogswell]

Lucas blowing by Deron :roll:

[Twiens]

Dwill got crossed!!

[Legends66NBA7]

I don't get the beef with Gray. The man comes in and does his job as a reserve player on this team.

:confusedshrug:

[RaininThrees]

I don't get the beef with Gray. The man comes in and does his job as a reserve player on this team.

:confusedshrug:

THE 5TH BIG ON THE TEAM SHOULD BE AN ALL-STAR

[Bcogswell]

I don't get the beef with Gray. The man comes in and does his job as a reserve player on this team.

:confusedshrug:


He is fine when he is coming in for limited minutes where we need his size or we are in foul trouble. The problem comes when Casey over plays him and Gray doesn't do much beside deliver hard fouls. :oldlol:

[Fudge]

Crash is about to get another fine. :oldlol: New Flop City?

[Bcogswell]

We need to stay out of foul trouble, he don't have any extra players. :lol

[jimmy77x]

wallace has turned into a huge flopper:facepalm

[bih]

this game is impossible to lose

Nets are absolute joke :roll: :roll:

[Bcogswell]

Thats the one thing I've always liked about Ed, he is a good big to big passer. :pimp:

[bagelred]

So at what point did Ian Eagle steal Marv Albert's act......

[rodman91]

Nets sucks without Lopez.

[Bcogswell]

Aaron gray for the buzzer beater! :bowdown:

[Legends66NBA7]

THE 5TH BIG ON THE TEAM SHOULD BE AN ALL-STAR

:cheers:


He is fine when he is coming in for limited minutes where we need his size or we are in foul trouble. The problem comes when Casey over plays him and Gray doesn't do much beside deliver hard fouls. :oldlol:

Down 2 regulars in the rotation and Raps looking like they want to end this losing streak, they probably aren't going to give Acy much opportunities, although they should.

He's been fine for what he's given us, so far, but I agree with over playing him.

[Bcogswell]

:cheers:



Down 2 regulars in the rotation and Raps looking like they want to end this losing streak, they probably aren't going to give Acy much opportunities, although they should.

He's been fine for what he's given us, so far, but I agree with over playing him.

I've got no problem with his play tonight, he's been providing a good effort especially considering he is our only real backup for PF/C tonight. :oldlol:

[gigantes]

i actually like this start more than the past couple starts where we looked great early.

we're playing like crap and losing the game. this time there will be no false optimism in the locker room at halftime- just the knowledge that we're getting our arses kicked and we better do something about it, and that there's nowhere to go but up (hopefully).

we'll see.

[RaininThrees]

He is fine when he is coming in for limited minutes where we need his size or we are in foul trouble. The problem comes when Casey over plays him and Gray doesn't do much beside deliver hard fouls. :oldlol:

Gray's played in 7% of Toronto's total time so far this year. Fewest minutes of any current player. Riding the pine and committing hard fouls is what he's paid to do, honestly.

[niko]

So at what point did Ian Eagle steal Marv Albert's act......
Ian Eagle is great.

Ridiculous Nets are losing. I'd expect better in the secodn half. This can't continue.

[Bcogswell]

Gray's played in 7% of Toronto's total time so far this year. Fewest minutes of any current player. Riding the pine and committing hard fouls is what he's paid to do, honestly.

I'm referring to last year and this year where he has gone to Gray for an extended stretch when it wasn't necessary. I have no problem with Gray, its more so on Casey and his rotation.

[bagelred]

So Raptors are sitting out Lowry, Bargnani, Fields, and Johnson.




$250,000 fine.

[Bcogswell]

So Raptors are sitting out Lowry, Bargnani, Fields, and Johnson.




$250,000 fine.

Don't forget Anderson! :lol

[red1]

So Raptors are sitting out Lowry, Bargnani, Fields, and Johnson.




$250,000 fine.
http://www.abload.de/img/11514-animated_gifchat8etf.gif

[RaininThrees]

I'm referring to last year and this year where he has gone to Gray for an extended stretch when it wasn't necessary. I have no problem with Gray, its more so on Casey and his rotation.

What were the circumstances of that extended stretch though? How many times has it happened? The overall #s suggest it hasn't happened very often. Is there some website that posts "shift charts"?

Anyway, not important.

[Bcogswell]

What were the circumstances of that extended stretch though? How many times has it happened? The overall #s suggest it hasn't happened very often. Is there some website that posts "shift charts"?

I'm not sure if theres a website that posts it or not. However, one situation I do recall is the triple overtime game where they put in Gray during OT and he hadn't played a minute in the game prior to that. I'm not saying its been every game that he has been used excessively, i'm just saying that its the reason why people have "beef" with him.

[Bcogswell]

Jonas attacking the rim! :applause:

[Bcogswell]

Lowry out for another 10 games.. :mad:

[Qwyjibo]

Watching Lucas pisses me off a bit. Not only is he a massive scrub, he's also 30 so there is no potential or future for him as anything but that. It just seems like a waste to have him over ANY younger undrafted PG as a 3rd stringer.

Hopefully when the Raptors are totally eliminated from the playoffs, they can screw off with this Pietrus thing. Just play Ross. You reached massively on him in the draft so at least see what you have in him.

[Bcogswell]

Watching Lucas pisses me off a bit. Not only is he a massive scrub, he's also 30 so there is no potential or future for him as anything but that. It just seems like a waste to have him over ANY younger undrafted PG as a 3rd stringer.

Hopefully when the Raptors are totally eliminated from the playoffs, they can screw off with this Pietrus thing. Just play Ross. You reached massively on him in the draft so at least see what you have in him.

Completely agree, I can't stand Lucas at all. :banghead:

[Kujo]

I'm stunned on how much DWill has struggled so far this season. :confusedshrug:

Nice effort by the Raps, though I expect the Nets to pull away in the 4th.

[gigantes]

figured they would come out strong at the half.

now deron williams just needs to let go of his fantasy that he can shoot like steve nash, not that i'm holding my breath on that one.

[Qwyjibo]

Toronto centers are not used to having the PF pass them the ball. Ever.

[Bcogswell]

Toronto centers are not used to having the PF pass them the ball. Ever.

That will all change when Ed Davis gets the starting nod, he actually looks to make a pass to the other big. :cheers:

[Kungfro]

Yea, Lethbridge represent!

[Kujo]

Lowry out for another 10 games.. :mad:

It's actually 10 days.

Nets pulling away just as I expected.

[Kungfro]

Oh man that was great. :oldlol:

[Bcogswell]

It's actually 10 days.

Nets pulling away just as I expected.

Oh ok, I thought I heard games but I'm probably wrong.

Ref with the block on Humphries free throw attempt! :roll:

[Kiddlovesnets]

Looks like the Nets have finally bounced back, good efforts tonight.
:applause:

[Bcogswell]

DeRozan finally gets something going towards the rim :applause:

[hassano]

the irony in a ref that looks like Charles Barkley attempting to block Humphries... :lol

btw I like these Nets commentators more than the raptor ones!

[bih]

the irony in a ref that looks like Charles Barkley attempting to block Humphries... :lol

btw I like these Nets commentators more than the raptor ones!


so much this.

they don't seem to be homers like jack and devlin.

very balanced commentary from nets team.

[RaininThrees]

That will all change when Ed Davis gets the starting nod, he actually looks to make a pass to the other big. :cheers:

No AB for the foreseeable future, so...

[Qwyjibo]

Derozan is so limited creating off the dribble.

[gigantes]

amazing to see johnson looking like a legit primary weapon for the nets.

haven't seen too much of that so far...

[Bcogswell]

Fans are booing! :roll: :roll:

[Bcogswell]

No AB for the foreseeable future, so...
I mean't when he is getting the starting nod instead of Bargnani.. not because he is injured. But either way, as long as he starts! :banana:

[GoRapz]

:lol 4th quarter melt down what else is new?

[Bcogswell]

DeMar from the corner :cheers:

[Bcogswell]

Hopefully that three can get Ross going because he hasn't been shooting very well lately. :confusedshrug:

[Bcogswell]

Refs always review shit that is going in our favour but they never go back to look blatant stuff they missed against us. :rant

[Bcogswell]

Ed Davis just beasting out there. :bowdown: :bowdown:

[Bcogswell]

Davis finishing through the contact! :cheers:

[RaininThrees]

That's definitely a missed call.

[Bcogswell]

They wont review that shit? :wtf: :wtf:

[Fudge]

Lmao Toronto ALWAYS gets ****ed over. :oldlol:

[Bcogswell]

Lmao Toronto ALWAYS gets ****ed over. :oldlol:

Its inevitable. :roll:

[RaininThrees]

I feel like Devlin will thinks Toronto has a chance here.

OR he's paid to make me feel like he thinks they have a chance, in which case... bravo Devlin.

[gigantes]

very bizarre clock mgmt by the raps, the last 2:00.

they needed either quick scores or 3-pters, and instead played with little urgency. i mean, true, they made the scores, and the nets choked a bit, but it was fool's gold that only made the game close at the end.

[kaiteng]

:ohwell:

[D12"Magic"]

What happened to Wallace?

[Bcogswell]

94-88 Nets over Raptors.

Let the tank keep on rolling. :cheers:

[Bcogswell]

Oh and Ed Davis with 24 points and 12 rebounds on 11-13 FG and 2-3 FT :bowdown:

[Kiddlovesnets]

Well for the Nets this is a must win game, the players showed up in the 3rd quarter. Looks like it saves Avery Johnson's job for now, we will see how long this will last.

[niko]

Well for the Nets this is a must win game, the players showed up in the 3rd quarter. Looks like it saves Avery Johnson's job for now, we will see how long this will last.
You know my thoughts on Avery Johnson (you are on the bandwagon i started) but i don't think he's on the hot seat. I don't think the Nets are anywhere close to a change.

Good win, need this and the Detroit game to set things back on the right direction. Need Lopez back too, him practicing and then Billy King declaring him not mentally ready or whatever bullshit he said is disconcerting.

They need to go to JJ more, he seems to be a volume scorer, for good or bad. Thought he was a bright spot. And stop giving the old shooting guards minutes.

[Kiddlovesnets]

You know my thoughts on Avery Johnson (you are on the bandwagon i started) but i don't think he's on the hot seat. I don't think the Nets are anywhere close to a change.

Good win, need this and the Detroit game to set things back on the right direction. Need Lopez back too, him practicing and then Billy King declaring him not mentally ready or whatever bullshit he said is disconcerting.

They need to go to JJ more, he seems to be a volume scorer, for good or bad. Thought he was a bright spot. And stop giving the old shooting guards minutes.

I think the problem with team is that everyone seems to be giving out excuses for losing because of Brook Lopez's injury. You deal with injury of your teammates everyday, good teams need to learn to win without their best player. Rockets took Lakers to 7 games down 1-2 without Yao and T-Mac, their opponent was the champion Lakers. On this aspect the Nets have no excuse to play this poorly even without Deron, our 2nd/3rd best player goes down and now this crap...
:sleeping

[niko]

I think the problem with team is that everyone seems to be giving out excuses for losing because of Brook Lopez's injury. You deal with injury of your teammates everyday, good teams need to learn to win without their best player. Rockets took Lakers to 7 games down 1-2 without Yao and T-Mac, their opponent was the champion Lakers. On this aspect the Nets have no excuse to play this poorly even without Deron, our 2nd/3rd best player goes down and now this crap...
:sleeping
Part of the problem is you haven't established an identity. Like when Melo was out, the Knicks have their fallback because that is what we are. Your fallback should really be Deron dominating the ball but he's injured/struggling so that's not working. And as you often say (and i concur), your coach isn't helping.

[zass]

block of the day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=204gY7HLqXc

[Beebo]

block of the day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=204gY7HLqXc

What a beast!!

[bdreason]

Oh and Ed Davis with 24 points and 12 rebounds on 11-13 FG and 2-3 FT :bowdown:


And when Bargnani comes back, Davis will probably head back to the bench. So sad.