It’s been a while since Nets fans saw Kyrie Irving on the court. But that all could change Sunday. Irving has been sidelined since mid-November with a right shoulder injury. He’s played in just 11 games for Brooklyn. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Saturday reported it’s “likely” the point guard makes his return to the lineup…
Nets’ Kyrie Irving ‘Likely To Return’ Sunday, Hasn’t Played Since November — NESN.com
– The end result of Saturday’s Raptors game in Brooklyn came down mainly to will. The Raptors played like they wanted it more. They were more aggressive, tougher, executed better. Brooklyn was sparked early by the return of Caris LeVert, but couldn’t seem to match Toronto’s effort level. Unlike in Miami, when the Heat ran…
Raptors blog: Lowry, VanVleet, Ibaka set tone in Brooklyn — Toronto Sun
BROOKLYN — The shooting drought followed the Raptors from Miami to Brooklyn, but it only had its claws into the Raptors for about a half this time around. That same inability to find the range which cost the Raptors that game in Miami and wasted a stellar defensive effort was there for the first 20 […]
Raps find the range and get a little feisty in comeback win over Nets — Toronto Sun
RAPTORS QUOTES
NICK NURSE
On the defense after the first quarter: “I think from the four-minute mark of the second quarter onward we really got down to a plan. We were into the ball. We were making catches tough. Everything was pretty tough. When Brooklyn did take it to the rim, which they can do very well, we were better. We were better protecting. We were better cracking in on the bigs so there wasn’t that little dump off there as much. Just much more energy and toughness.”
On Kyle Lowry’s toughness tonight: “Yeah, he was into it. There were a couple of weird scenarios with him. He got involved in a couple of scrums, but he’s going to do that and he’s probably playing really well when he’s doing that. He was still taking charges and throwing his body around and then he got a little juice from the perimeter. He was big, it was good. There was a lot of silliness, it seemed like, for us over kicking the ball around for the first 15 minutes of the game and then after that we looked really well organized. To me, that’s all I really want is for us to look like we know what we’re doing out there. Those guys (Lowry and Fred VanVleet) did a good job of running the team.”
KYLE LOWRY
On turning this around: “He (Nick Nurse) kind of got on us every single timeout. At halftime, he got on us about doing the same things over and over. Once we kind of settled down a little bit and got smart about what we were doing and got better spots, better positioning and playing some defense, it worked out.”
On whether it was more the offense or the defense in terms of settling down: “Both. We played pretty good defense, but it’s also understanding what we’re doing, kind of understanding the game play a little bit better and doing the game plan and executing the game plan a little bit better. Offensively, it’s about getting to the paint. Getting to the paint, kick out, getting to the spots and knowing where those spots are going to be.”
On whether it’s hard to fight the frustration when you start 1-11: “We know that that Miami game was a game that ain’t going to happen much. Just got to keep playing. We’ve got to keep putting them up. That’s what we do. We believe in the work that we put in and no one’s going to say this or that. We’re going to keep shooting the shots that are there and keep playing and working.”
RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON
On his thoughts and feelings being back at Barclays Center playing the Nets: “Man, it felt good. The energy, the love the people were showing me. It felt good to be here, to see the people that I spent four years with, a lot of familiar faces. But it felt really good to get the win. At the end of the day, that’s what the focus was, to compete and play hard.”
On Kyle Lowry’s competitive spirit: “I love it. Me and Kyle being from the same area, that’s how we play basketball. That’s how we get after it. If Kyle’s got a problem with anybody, I got a problem too, so I’ve got his back at all times no matter what. That’s the way the game should be played. At the end of the day, we’re just playing basketball, but we’re making it a little bit fun.”
On what turned this one: “I would say the energy. Energy, defensive stops, pushing the pace, getting some transition buckets, things like that. That helped us a lot.”
NETS QUOTES
KENNY ATKINSON
On if he notices a reoccurring theme in the second half of the last few games: “Fourth quarter. Last four out of five games, we were right there, or led, or close. That’s a theme. That’s a big theme right now. We have to figure out why. Fourth quarters have really been a thorn in our sides. It was again tonight. We competed for three quarters of the game, a little bit more than three quarters. I think when we subbed the starters back in the game, it was a six- or seven-point game and then they kind of went on a run and I’ve kind of seen that film before recently, so we have to figure it out. We have to figure out why we’re running out of gas. Is it physical? Is it execution? It’s probably a combination of all of those things.”
On the return of Caris LeVert: “Caris’ (LeVert) job is to get his feet wet and get back into rhythm, but it just makes a difference. I know there was some good stuff in there. There were some mistakes, but it’s nice when you know the player and you trust the player. It makes mine and all our staff’s job easier.”
On how concerned he is about the recent slump: “When I first started this job, we had 20 wins and were the worst team in the league, so we’ve been through the losing streaks and it’s just part of this league. It happens, but this will test us, test our character. I told the guys in the locker room, this happens during the NBA, but we’ll get it back down the road when we get five out of six or win six in a row. I have enough confidence in the team. We have to stick with our habits and our principles and trust what we do and we’ll get out of this.”
JOE HARRIS
On the reoccurring fourth-quarter problems: “I think just looking at it, defensively, we’ve given up a lot of points in these fourth-quarter stretches – where it may be a lack of execution on one end or the other. Tonight was sort of cumulative – it kind of built up there in the third, where we gave up 35 points. In the fourth we gave up 38, which is way too many. You’re not going to win a lot of games, especially finishing out games like that.”
On if the team is searching for answers: “I think some of the games are frustrating. At the end of the day, a lot of us have been around – maybe for some of the younger guys it’s a little bit different. We talk about it a lot – there’s a lot of ebbs and flows individually through the course of the season and there’s a lot of ebbs and flows collectively as a team over the course of the season. Obviously, you don’t want to go through four or five-game losing streaks, but these things happen. You stick with the process, you stay level-headed and you trust in the process that we are going to figure it out and get it back on the right track.”
On Caris LeVert’s impact: “It was great to see Caris – we wish that he wasn’t on a minute restriction and he could play a little bit more. He looked great. I thought he came in and looked like himself. He said that he was trying to get his wind a little bit, but I thought that there didn’t look to be any rust whatsoever.”
CARIS LEVERT
On tonight’s game: “I felt pretty good out there. Obviously we wanted to get a win, but just me personally, I felt pretty good.”
On the next step in overcoming the minute restrictions: “I’m not sure – I’m just out here to play – that’s for coach and the performance staff. Whatever minutes I’m given, I’m just going to try to go out there and do what I can.”
On if making back-to-back shots made him forget about his thumb: “I wasn’t really thinking about my thumb at all out there.”
On the most difficult thing to overcome tonight: “Probably defensive rebounding – I feel like I could’ve done a lot better job there. I think I could’ve done a much better job helping out the rebounding.”
On how frustrating it has been sitting out of games: “Very frustrating. You know I love the game; I love being a part of it. Love helping my team out in any way that I can. It was tough being out, but I’m glad to be back.”
FINAL SCORE: 121-102 DATE: January 4, 2020 – Game #34 (Home Game #16)
FINAL SCORE RECORD HIGH POINTS HIGH REBOUNDS HIGH ASSISTS
Toronto 121 24-12 VanVleet – 29 Ibaka – 12 VanVleet – 11
Brooklyn 102 16-18 Dinwiddie – 23 Jordan – 8 Dinwiddie – 7
TEAM NOTABLES
➢ The Nets fell to 16-18 tonight with their loss to Toronto this evening, while the Raptors improved to 24-12 on the season with tonight’s victory.
o Up next for Brooklyn: The Nets will travel to Orlando to play the Magic on Monday, 1/6, at 7 p.m., ET. o Up next for Toronto: The Raptors will return home to Toronto to host Portland on Tuesday, 1/6, at 7 p.m. ET. ➢ Brooklyn blocked a season-high 11 shots tonight (previous high: 10 blocks, twice, most recently in OT on 12/17 at New Orleans) and edged the Raptors 11-4 in locks.
o DeAndre Jordan led Brooklyn with a season-high-tying four blocks, while Jarrett Allen and Wilson Chandler each added two
apiece. ➢ The Nets’ .478 field goal percentage (32-of-67 FG) marked their second-highest field goal percentage in a loss this season.
PLAYER NOTABLES
➢ Spencer Dinwiddie led the Nets with 23 points (6-of-12 FG, 9-of-12 FT) and seven assists with three rebounds and a block in 31 minutes.
o Dinwiddie has now scored 20+ points in 19 of his last 23 games and has scored 20+ points a single-season career-high 23
times (in 34 games). He scored 20+ points 18 times all of last season (68 games).
o Dinwiddie has scored 20+ points in 11 straight games at Barclays Center, dating back to 11/18 vs. Indiana, which marks the
longest streak of 20-point games at home for a Net since Vince Carter did it in 13 straight games in the 2005-06 season.
o Dinwiddie has recorded a 20-point game, a double-double or both in 22 of his last 23 games (all but 1/2 at Dallas, when he fell a point shy with 19 points).
➢ Joe Harris scored 18 points with three rebounds and five assists in 31 minutes tonight vs. Toronto. He shot 4-of-6 from the field, 3-of-5 from 3-point range and 7-of-8 from the charity stripe.
o Harris has now scored in double figures 27 times this season.
➢ Caris LeVert returned to action for Brooklyn tonight and recorded 13 points (5-of-7 FG, 2-of-2 3FG) in 16 minutes off the bench.
o LeVert played for the first time since 11/10 at Phoenix after returning from right thumb surgery.
➢ Garrett Temple totaled 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal in 30 minutes this evening against the Raptors.
o Temple returned to the starting lineup tonight after missing Brooklyn’s last game with a right knee contusion. o Temple has scored in double figures in 15 of his last 22 games after doing so three times in his first 11 games this season.
➢ Taurean Prince also scored in double figures for Brooklyn tonight with 10 points, six boards, two assists and a block in 28 minutes.
2
GAME 36: TORONTO RAPTORS (23-12) at BROOKLYN NETS (16-17) SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2020 – 6 P.M. (ET) – BARCLAYS CENTER TV: TSN – RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
INJURY REPORTS At 1:30 p.m. Saturday
TOR@BKN
Brooklyn Nets Claxton, Nicolas Out Injury/Illness – Left Hamstring; Soreness Durant, Kevin Out Injury/Illness – Right Achilles; Rehab Irving, Kyrie Out Injury/Illness – Right Shoulder; Impingement LeVert, Caris Probable Injury/Illness – Right Thumb; Surgery Temple, Garrett Probable Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Contusion
Toronto Raptors Gasol, Marc Out Injury/Illness – Left Hamstring; Strained Hernandez, Dewan Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprained Ponds, Shamorie Out G League – Two-Way Powell, Norman Out Injury/Illness – Left Shoulder; Subluxation Siakam, Pascal Out Injury/Illness – Groin; Strained Thomas, Matt Out Injury/Illness – Left Middle Finger; Fracture-Distal Phalanx
RAPTORS NOTES
• The Toronto Raptors complete a two-game road trip (Jan. 2-4) when they travel to Brooklyn to face the Nets on Saturday night at Barclays Center. The Raptors have won 16 of the last 17 meetings with Brooklyn, including the first matchup this season. Pascal Siakam scored 30 points and Marc Gasol set season highs with 17 points and 15 rebounds in Toronto’s 110-102 victory last month. Injured Raptors Siakam, Gasol and Norman Powell scored 72 of Toronto’s 110 points in the contest. The last time Toronto lost the season-series with the Nets was in 2012-13.
• Serge Ibaka recorded his fourth straight double-double and eighth of the season with a team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds in 35 minutes of action Thursday night at Miami. All eight of Ibaka’s doubledoubles have come in the last 13 games (Dec. 9 – Jan. 2). Ibaka is averaging 17.8 points and 11.0 rebounds over the last four games (Dec. 28 – Jan. 2).
• Toronto held the Heat to just 84 points in Thursday night’s loss at Miami. The Raptors have now held their opponent to fewer than 100 points in four straight games (Dec. 28 – Jan. 2). Over the last four contests, opponents are averaging 94.0 points and shooting .417 (135-for-324) from the field, including .279 (39-for14) from three-point range. The last time Toronto allowed fewer than 100 points in four consecutive games was an eight-game streak that stretched over two seasons Apr. 5 – Oct. 28, 2016.
• Former Net Rondae Hollis-Jefferson returns to Brooklyn for the first time since signing as a free agent with the Raptors in the summer. Hollis-Jefferson averaged 9.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 23.6 minutes in 234 career games (147 starts) with the Brooklyn (2015-19). He was picked 23rd overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2015 NBA Draft and acquired by the Nets on draft night.
• OG Anunoby recorded his fourth double-double of the season Thursday night, finishing with 12 points and a career high-tying 12 rebounds. Anunoby did not have a double-double in either of his first two seasons.
• Marc Gasol (left hamstring; strain), Pascal Siakam (groin; stretch) and Norman Powell (left shoulder; subluxation) were all injured Dec. 18 at Detroit. Toronto is 4-4 over the last eight games without them. The Raptors are averaging 106.5 points and shooting .442 (303-for-686) from the field during this span.
• Kyle Lowry needs 84 assists to tie Jose Calderon (3,770) as the Raptors’ all-time leader in assists. Lowry is already the franchise leader in three-point field goals (1,297), steals (773) and playoff victories (37). Lowry has recorded 10+ assists 110 times – second most in team history behind only Calderon (141).
• Terence Davis ll is one of the five rookies who’ve played in every game for their team this season, along with Darius Bazley (Oklahoma City), Darius Garland (Cleveland), Kendrick Nunn (Miami) and Coby White (Chicago). Only two rookies have played in every game of a season for the Raptors: Vince Carter in 1998– 99 (which was a lockout-shortened 50-game season) and Matt Bonner (2004–05).
• MISCELLANEOUS: The Raptors have not lost consecutive road games this season … Toronto set season lows in points (76), FG% (.315) and 3PT% (.143) Thursday at Miami … Chris Boucher leads the Raptors with 61 offensive rebounds and ranks second in blocks (27) behind Marc Gasol (30).
PROBABLE STARTERS
F – PATRICK McCAW #22 • Recorded three points, one rebound and one assist in 28 minutes Jan. 2 at Miami. • Averaging 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 30.2 minutes in eight games as a starter. • Has played at least 20 minutes in a career-long 11 straight games (Dec. 14 – Jan. 2).
MIN: 26.4 REB: 2.4 AST: 2.0 STL: 1.1 TO: 1.1 BLK: 0.1 PTS: 6.0
F – OG ANUNOBY #3 • Posted fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and a career high-tying 12 rebounds Jan. 2 at Miami. • Toronto is 15-4 this season when Anunoby scores 10 or more points. • Has scored 12 points in consecutive games (Dec. 31 – Jan. 2); shooting 50 per cent (10-for-20) from the floor.
MIN: 29.8 REB: 5.9 AST: 1.7 STL: 1.12 TO: 1.4 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 11.1
C – SERGE IBAKA #9 • Recorded eighth double-double of the season with a team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds Jan. 2 at Miami. • Averaging 16.9 points, 9.5 rebounds and 32.1 minutes in eight games as a starter. • Has scored in double figures in 15 of the last 17 games (Dec. 1 – Jan. 2), including five 20-point outings.
MIN: 38.1 REB: 4.8 AST: 7.5 STL: 1.3 TO: 3.2 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 20.7
G – KYLE LOWRY #7 • Finished with 15 points, four rebounds and eight assists in 40 minutes of play Jan. 2 at Miami. • Has made at least two three-pointers in 11 straight games (Dec. 14 – Jan. 2); totaled 37 threes during this span. • December was the first calendar month in which he averaged 20 points and eight assists since December 2014.
MIN: 38.1 REB: 4.8 AST: 7.5 STL: 1.3 TO: 3.2 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 20.7
G – FRED VANVLEET #23 • Finished with seven points, six assists and four rebounds in 39 minutes of action Jan. 2 at Miami. • Ranks fifth in the NBA in steals per games (1.97) and sixth in minutes (36.3). • Has recorded five double-doubles this season; something he did once in first three NBA seasons combined.
MIN: 36.3 REB: 3.9 AST: 6.9 STL: 2.0 TO: 2.5 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 17.6
INJURY REPORT Marc Gasol (Left hamstring; strain) – Out Dewan Hernandez (Right ankle; sprain) – Out Norman Powell (Left shoulder; subluxation ) – Out Pascal Siakam (Groin; stretch) – Out Matt Thomas (Left middle finger; distal phalanx fracture) – Out
LAST TIME BROOKLYN VS. TORONTO
GAME 25 – DECEMBER 14, 2019 TORONTO 110, BROOKLYN 102
TORONTO– Pascal Siakam scored 30 points, Marc Gasol set season highs with 17 points and 15 rebounds and the Toronto Raptors beat the Brooklyn Nets 110-102 on Saturday night to snap a three-game home losing streak … Norman Powell fouled out with 25 points and Kyle Lowry had 17 to help the Raptors win their ninth straight home game against the Nets and beat Brooklyn for the 16th time in 17 meetings … Serge Ibaka had 12 points and 12 rebounds … The Raptors made nine of 12 attempts from 3-point range in the first quarter, including their first seven straight … Spencer Dinwiddie scored 26 points, Garrett Temple added 16 and Taurean Prince had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets, who are 0-4 on the road against opponents with winning records … The Nets saw a 20-point lead slip away in Wednesday’s 113-108 home loss to Charlotte … Temple couldn’t convert a three-point play after making a layup to begin the fourth, and Powell scored five points as Toronto replied with a 9-0 run, taking a 99-85 lead with 8:32 left to play … Siakam had 14 points in the first as the Raptors overcame an early 12-2 deficit to lead 38-31 after one … The Raptors led 90-83 through three quarters.
1 2 3 4 TOT
BROOKLYN 31 29 23 19 102
TORONTO 38 27 25 20 110
NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: Portland Trailblazers Date: Tuesday, January 7 Tip-Off: 7 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: TSN Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN
SERIES RECAP VS. PORTLAND
OVERALL HOME ROAD 2019-20 1-0 0-0 1-0 ALL-TIME 18-28 10-13 8-15 STREAKS Won 2 Won 4 Won 1
LAST WIN: November 13, 2019 (114-106)
LAST HOME WIN: March 1, 2019 (119-117)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +36, January 28, 1997
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -24, January 4, 2000
LAST TIME VS. PORTLAND
GAME 11 – NOVEMBER 13, 2019 TORONTO 114, PORTLAND 106
PORTLAND — The Raptors held Damian Lillard to just nine points in a 114-106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers … Pascal Siakam scored 36 points and Fred VanVleet had 30 … Siakam scored 13 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter to help close out the Trail Blazers and help Toronto bounce back from Monday night’s loss to the L.A. Clippers … Rodney Hood led the Blazers with 25 points … Lillard had 2-fof-12 shooting from the field and was 2 of 7 from 3-point range … He did dish 10 assists … CJ McCollum also pitched in 18 points while Anfernee Simons had 17 off the bench … The Raptors attacked in waves, with Siakam scoring seven straight points to close the third quarter and give the Raptors an 87-78 lead heading into the fourth … The Raptors also got solid bench contributions from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Terence Davis (15 points) … The Blazers went on an 11-2 run to start the fourth quarter, tying the game at 89 with 9:06 left as Lillard watched from the bench … A dunk by Hollis-Jefferson with 5:29 left gave the Raptors a 10194 lead … Another jumper by Siakam with 3:38 remaining gave the Raptors a 108-94 lead, their largest of the game.
1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 23 31 33 27 114
PORTLAND 30 23 25 28 106
GAME 35 – JANUARY 2, 2020 MIAMI 84, TORONTO 76 MIAMI — Bam Adebayo had 15 points and 14 rebounds, and the Miami Heat put together their best defensive performance of the season in an 84 -76 victory over the Toronto Raptors … The Raptors’ scoring total was their lowest in more than four years — also coming in a game at Miami on Nov. 8, 2015 — and the second-lowest by any team in the NBA this season … Tyler Herro and Goran Dragic each scored 13 points for Miami, which is now 2-0 against the Raptors this season … Derrick Jones Jr. scored 10 points and Jimmy Butler finished with eight points, 12 rebounds and seven assists for Miami … Serge Ibaka had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Toronto … Kyle Lowry scored 15 points, Rondae HollisJefferson added 13 and OG Anunoby had 12 points and 12 rebounds … The Raptors shot only 31.5% and were 6 for 42 from 3-point range … Toronto’s previous season low for points was 88, in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 11 … Anunoby was fouled on a 3-point try with 1:21 left in the third, making all three free throws to tie the game at 60 … But the Heat went on a 17-5 run in the fourth and held Toronto to 16 points in the final 12 minutes … Fred VanVleet was 3 for 16 from the field and 1 for 11 from 3-point range … Toronto started 2 for 21 from 3-point range, before Anunoby connected on a corner 3 at the end of the first half. 1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 20 19 21 16 76
MIAMI 18 24 21 21 84
GAME 34 – DECEMBER 31, 2019 TORONTO 117, CLEVELAND 97
TORONTO — Kyle Lowry scored 24 points and dished out eight assists as the Toronto Raptors won 117-97 against the Cleveland Cavaliers … Six Raptors scored in double figures … Serge Ibaka had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Terence Davis matched his career high with 19 points, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 14, and Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby had 12 points apiece … The Raptors went 9-7 in December, and played the past seven games without Pascal Siakam (groin), Marc Gasol (hamstring) and Norm Powell (shoulder) … Collin Sexton had 22 points to top the Cavaliers, while Thompson had 14 points and 11 rebounds … The Raptors had a double-digit lead in the second quarter, and by the time Ibaka hit a hook shot with 3:33 to play in the third, Toronto was up by 21 … The Raptors led 86-69 to start the fourth … Davis had 14 points in the fourth … VanVleet had four blocks on the night … The Raptors connected on 43.6 per cent from long distance, while the Cavs were good on just 26.3 per cent … Anunoby nailed three consecutive shots when he subbed in … Lowry’s 33-footer put the Raptors up by 14 points late in the second quarter … A running layup by Hollis-Jefferson with 1.6 seconds left in the half had Toronto up 59-43 at halftime.
1 2 3 4 TOT
CLEVELAND 25 18 26 28 97
TORONTO 27 32 27 31 117 RECE
BROOKLYN’S PROBABLE STARTERS
[ F ] J O E H A R R I S #12 • VIRGINIA (6th Season) • 6-6 • 220
2019-20 Averages 14.5 ppg 4.1 rpg 2.2 apg 31.9 mpg
• Originally signed with the Nets on July 19, 2016 and resigned with the team on July 24, 2018. • In 2018-19, became the first player in Nets history to lead the league in 3FG % (.474), and the first player in franchise history to win the 3-Point Contest at All-Star weekend.
Last Game: 11 pts, 4 rebs, 5 asts 31 mins 1/2 at DAL
[ F ] T A U R E A N P R I N C E #2 • BAYLOR (4th Season) • 6-7 • 218
2019-20 Averages 12.2 ppg 6.7 rpg 2.1 apg 30.4 mpg • Acquired via trade with Atlanta on 7/6/19 and signed a multiyear contract extension with Brooklyn on 10/21/19. • Has already registered seven double-doubles this season after posting five in his first three NBA seasons combined (all in the 2017-18 season).
Last game: 11 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts 28 mins 1/2 at DAL
[C ] J A R R E T T A L L E N #31 • TEXAS (3rd Season) • 6-11 • 243
2019-20 Averages 11.9 ppg 10.1 rpg 1.3 bpg 26.5 mpg • Selected by the Nets with the 22nd pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and had his 2020-21 team option exercised on 10/14/19. • Leads all players 21 and under in rpg and is among the top three among players 21 and under in double-doubles and bpg
Last Game: 9 pts, 6 rebs, 0 blks 26 mins 1/2 at DAL
[G ] G A R R E T T T E M P L E #17 • LOUISIANA STATE (10th Season) • 6-5 • 195 2019-20 Averages 10.6 ppg 3.4 rpg 2.6 apg 29.5 mpg • Is in his first season with Brooklyn after signing with the Nets as a free agent on 7/8/19. • Has tallied 25+ points twice this season (12/4 at Atlanta and 12/21 vs. Atlanta) after scoring 25+ points twice in his first nine NBA seasons combined.
Last Game: INACTIVE Right Knee Contusion 1/2 at DAL
[G ] S P E N C E R D I N W I D D I E #8 • COLORADO (6th Season) • 6-5 • 215 2019-20 Averages 22.8 ppg 3.0 rpg 6.3 apg 30.7 mpg • Originally signed with the Nets on December 8, 2016 and re-signed a multi-year contract on December 14, 2018. • Earned his first-career Player of the Week honor for games played from 11/18 – 11/24, and is currently averaging careerhighs for ppg, FTM, FTA, FT %, offensive rating and usage.
Last Game: 19 pts, 2 rebs, 5 asts 23 mins 1/2 at DAL 2019-20
IF THE NETS WIN It would allow Brooklyn to avoid extending its season-long losing skid to five games (last win: 122-112 over Atlanta on 12/21). It would snap Brooklyn’s four-game losing skid against the Raptors (last win: 106-105 in OT on 12/7/18 at Barclays Center).
LAST 22: DEFENSE REMAINS STRONG THROUGH 12-10 STRETCH LAST 22: See the chart for stats and ranks from Brooklyn’s last 22 games (11/16 – 1/2), compared to the first 11 games of the season (4-7).
LINEUP: Brooklyn’s starting five of Dinwiddie, Temple, Harris, Prince and Allen has played 343 minutes in the last 22 games (Temple sat out Brooklyn’s last game). The only five-man unit in the NBA to play more minutes than Brooklyn’s starting five since 11/16 is Denver’s five-man unit of Paul Millsap, Will Barton, Gary Harris, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray with 347 minutes). All five starters have averaged double digit scoring in this 22-game stretch: Dinwiddie (25.7), Harris (15.3), Allen (13.2), Temple (12.2) and Prince (11.7).
e starters have averaged double digit scoring in this 22-game stretch: Dinwiddie (25.7), Harris (15.3), Allen (13.2), Temple (12.2) and Prince (11.7).
TEAM NOTABLES The Nets attempt the second-fewest mid-range FG/game (6.2) and attempt the most shots/game from the restricted area (35.9). Brooklyn allows the most shots from mid-range/game (15.2).
The Nets register the fewest post-ups/game (1.0) in the league (next-fewest: Utah’s 2.4). The Nets are holding their opponents to .580 FG % in the restricted area, the third-best mark in the league, trailing only Milwaukee (.539) and Toronto (.575)
. FOUR FACTORS: The Nets are 22nd in effective FG % (.509), eighth in offensive rebound % (.284), 14th in FTA rate (.264) and 19th in turnover % (.151).
OPP FOUR FACTORS: The Nets are fourth in opponent effective FG % (.499), 18th in opponent offensive rebound % (.275), 13th in opponent FTA rate (.243) and 27th in opponent turnover % (.129).
CLUTCH: Clutch situations are defined as the last five minutes of a game with the point diff. at five or less). Brooklyn is tied for fourth in the league in ‘clutch’ games (22) and tied for fifth in ‘clutch’ wins (12).
PAINT: The Nets have outscored their opponent by 10+ points in the paint in nine of their last 12 games (since 12/6 at Charlotte), outscoring their opponents 620-468 (+152).
HOME IN BROOKLYN The Nets will play 10 home games this month, marking their season-high for home games played in a month. The 10 home games also match a Nets record for most home games played in the month of January (previously: Jan. 2016 and Jan. 1996).
PLAYER NOTABLES Since assuming the starting point guard role with Kyrie Irving out (the last 22 games, since 11/16 at Chicago), Spencer Dinwiddie ranks fourth in the East (ninth in the league) in ppg (25.7), trailing Giannis Antetokounmpo (30.3), Trae Young (29.0) and Bradley Beal (26.9). Dinwiddie is fifth in the East in apg (7.1) in that time, trailing Ben Simmons (9.4), Kyle Lowry (8.0), Young (8.0) and Devonte’ Graham (7.9).
Dinwiddie is also eighth in the league in FTM/game (6.6) and seventh in FTA/game (8.2) in that time. Just seven players in the league have averaged 25.0+ ppg and 7.0+ apg since Dinwiddie assumed the starting point guard role: Luka Doncic, James Harden, LeBron James, Damian Lillard, Russell Westbrook, Trae Young and Dinwiddie. Dinwiddie is tied for second in the league in drives/game (19.2) with DeMar DeRozan, trailing only Trae Young (20.0), and is second in drive ppg (12.3), trailing only Harden (13.9).
Jarrett Allen is fourth in the league in FG % (.657), trailing Mitchell Robinson, Rudy Gobert and Richaun Holmes, fifth in dunks (95), trailing Antetokounmpo (115) and Gobert (98), Anthony Davis (97) and Clint Capela (96), ninth in offensive rebound % (.118), ninth in orpg (3.4) and 11th in rpg (10.1). DeAndre Jordan is fourth in the league in rebound % (.204), fifth in defensive rebound % (.299) and ranks first in rpg off the bench (9.7).
Wilson Chandler had played in 656 career games, playoffs included, before Sunday. Only one — his NBA debut — had made him as anxious as this one. The veteran forward returned from his 25-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs to make his Nets debut on Sunday night in a 109-89 win over the 76ers, ending… […]
Nets’ Wilson Chandler delivers more than expected in season debut — Akahi News
(13-12) BROOKLYN NETS, 102 VS. (17-8) TORONTO RAPTORS, 110 SCOTIABANK ARENA SATURDAY, DEC. 14, 2019
TORONTO RAPTORS QUOTES
NICK NURSE (HEAD COACH)
On the game … We had a really, really good offensive flow, I thought, until the fourth. I thought for a long stretch of the season, I didn’t say our offense was beautiful or anything – but it looked organized, and looked like we’re going to the right guys at the right time, and I thought that was the case most of the time tonight until we got a little haywire in two sections of the game.
On the team defence … I have to look at the second half a little bit, but the first half, I looked at a lot of it at halftime and we were really active and we were really flying around and helping each other, chasing a guy off the line and somebody else would fill in and they would kick it again and we would chase them off again. We were really flying around and so that was great to see, and I don’t think I have seen that for a while. I have to check the second half a little bit, film-wise, to get a better read for it, but it certainly (there) was great energy and great team defence in the first half.
On using Patrick McCaw down the stretch in the fourth quarter … I just liked Pat’s energy on defence and (Spencer) Dinwiddie, (Joe) Harris, give him a chance to guard one of those two, probably there biggest threats out there in the game and I thought he was doing a really good job of just fitting in at the offensive end.
On Marc Gasol… I don’t think I would I say in totality here for the season we have been that happy, because I think he’s been a low scoring guy and at times he is a big time scorer, he will hurt you from in and out. So I am glad to see him get some more opportunities, we actually ran a couple plays for post-ups for him tonight that he scored, or else he missed and got his own rebound and put it in back in …scored eventually. I still think he is a threat down there and we have to do a better job of getting him deep touches like that.
PASCAL SIAKAM (30 points, 11 rebounds, five assists)
What worked on defence that created opportunities at the offensive end? Our energy was where we want it to be. We made a lot of mistakes, but we covered it up with our energy, just playing hard and that’s how we have to play every single night. We can’t come in and not play that way because that’s the way we play, so we have to play like that every single night. It starts with me, I have to bring my team to that energy level every single night and I’m going to try my best to do that.
Thoughts on team ball movement tonight… I liked it. We play for each other like we always do. Move the ball around; get the open shots and today they went in, so we have to continue to play.
On Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol posting double- doubles in same game for first time this season… That’s big for us, we need those guys. A big night for Marc and Serge. They did a hell of a job on defence, rebounding and also scoring, so we are going to need that from them every single night.
NORMAN POWELL (25 points, four rebounds)
Was it good to see shots falling in the first half? I think the way we came out defensively, they hit a couple early shots early on, but after tightening it down a little bit and being able to get out on transition, moving the ball, we were able to find some good looks that were able to go. But I really think tonight’s game was fuelled by the defence we had.
What does getting out on transition do for your game? I think that’s my game. Getting out on transition, attacking early, trying to get into the paint, see what the defence is doing. It allows the flow of the offence to get in there, kick out, next pass, next action, so I think it really gets the offence going when we get deep into the paint, having defences rotating and scrambling around out there help make the kick out. Just staying aggressive when I have those opportunities.
KYLE LOWRY (17 points, four rebounds, six assists)
On having Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol playing well at both ends of the floor… It’s always good to have that option to go back to traditional basketball. When Serge has got a smaller guy on him, I’m going to go with that, you know those chances every time of him getting rebounds and it’s kind of funny when he has a smaller guy on him, he just turns into even more of a madman. We need that and Marc spaces the floor well, makes the right plays and him and Serge have a good combination down there.
BROOKLYN NETS QUOTES
KENNY ATKINSON (HEAD COACH)
What was the story of the game from your view? The first quarter, they were hot and they got going. Didn’t love how we contested shots – for some reason we weren’t contesting shots the way we needed to, and then after the first quarter our defence settled down. I thought we were pretty good the last three quarters defensively. Then, offensively, two things: we turned it over too much and didn’t make enough shots. I thought we had a lot of open looks, they didn’t go down – but the turnovers hurt us too.
Is ball handling a bit of a problem? I think it is. That’s Toronto’s strength, they turn you over, they’re an excellent defensive team. I knew coming in that the issue tonight was going to be scoring on these guys. We did not handle the ball well enough. Not only the second unit, I thought the first unit struggled too. So just in general, turnovers were a problem.
Did you get the looks from three that you wanted? I thought a lot of good looks. The one I feel you can control are the turnovers. You don’t get a shot, and then usually turnovers turn into great shots for the other team down the other end. You have 20 turnovers, and then you miss the amount of shots we did, it’s just not good enough. We knew we were going to get threes tonight, we knew they pack it in and we were going to get shots. We encourage our guys to shoot them, they just didn’t go in tonight.
TAUREAN PRINCE (14 points, 10 rebounds, two assists)
On tonight’s game… We just missed some shots we usually make. (We) just have to correct that.
What were you seeing defensively? I think we lacked a bit of intensity on the transition defence, but for the most part we were stopping them at halfcourt. I think we could have done a better job in transition. I think that’s on us. I don’t think they did anything that we weren’t expecting or that we couldn’t fix, so that’s a good thing coming out of the game. (There were) a lot of the shots we could have made that we missed (and) that were wide open that we usually hit, but it’s a good learning curve, especially going into Philly tomorrow.
On the turnovers tonight … That’s their job to contest everything. Our job is to continue to move the ball. This is the NBA, so you have to hit shots when people are right in your face. We didn’t hit many, even our wide open ones. I think we had a ton of wide open threes with no contest, so we tried to hit those.
GARRETT TEMPLE (16 points, four rebounds, two assists)
How much of tonight was about making shots? They went (9-of-12) in the first quarter and then it’s tough for us to win (when) I go 2-for-14. We got the shots that we expected to get and we were comfortable with. We’ll take those same exact shots, you know, 100 times out of 100 times when we play. We just have to knock them down at the end of the day and be a little more decisive in transition defence, and take care of the ball. I think we had 20 turnovers, so with a team that plays that fast, when they get out on transition, they are going to make shots (and) get to the rim, and if they’re making threes it’s tough.
What would you attribute the team turnovers to? It might have been a case where we were trying to play, and you know, got caught up in their pace. Like I said, they were playing really fast, but just those few unforced turnovers that we could have not had. They are a long team. That’s what they do. They create turnovers. Got to give them some credit, but I think a lot of it was unforced.
Super Spencer Dinwiddie is doing it all for his squad. This means he’s literally carrying the Brooklyn Nets to success while Kyrie Irving is out. Last Sunday, the Brooklyn Nets came out with an impressive win over the Denver Nuggets at home. The hero of the game? Who, but Spencer Dinwiddie? Even in the Nets’ […]
No Kyrie? No problem; Spencer Dinwiddie is doing it all for the Brooklyn Nets — New York City Ticketron
GAME #25 – TORONTO RAPTORS (16-8) vs. BROOKLYN NETS (13-11) SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2019 – 7:30 P.M. (ET) – SCOTIABANK ARENA TV: TSN – RADIO: TSN 1050 TORONTO
INJURY REPORT AT 8:30 P.M. FRIDAY
BKN@TOR Brooklyn Nets Chandler, Wilson Out League Suspension – Claxton, Nicolas Out Injury/Illness – Left Hamstring; Soreness – Durant, Kevin Out Injury/Illness – Right Achilles; Rehab – Irving, Kyrie Out Injury/Illness – Right Shoulder; Impingement – LeVert, Caris Out Injury/Illness – Right Thumb; Surgery – Toronto Raptors Johnson, Stanley Out Injury/Illness – Left Groin; Stress reaction – Thomas, Matt Out Injury/Illness – Left Finger; Middle; fracture – distal phalanx – VanVleet, Fred Doubtful Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Contusion –
RAPTORS NOTES • The Toronto Raptors continue a three-game homestand (Dec. 11-16) Saturday night when they host the Brooklyn Nets at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors have won 15 of the last 16 meetings with Nets, including eight straight games at home. Pascal Siakam averaged 19.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in four games (3-1) vs. Brooklyn last season. The last time Toronto lost the season-series with the Nets was in 2012-13.
• The Raptors have won an NBA record 33 consecutive games at home vs. the Atlantic Division. The Raptors’ last regular season loss at Scotiabank Arena against an Atlantic Division foe was Nov. 10, 2015 vs. New York. Since 1970-71 (the division format era), Golden State (2013-17) and Utah (1996-99) had held the previous record with 32 straight victories at home vs. divisional opponents. • Former Net Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will play his first game against his old team Saturday night. Hollis-Jefferson averaged 9.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 23.6 minutes in 234 career games (147 starts) with the Brooklyn (2015-19). He was picked 23rd overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2015 NBA Draft and acquired by the Nets on draft night. He signed as a free agent with the Raptors this past summer.
• Norman Powell recorded 22 points and one steal in 34 minutes Dec. 11 against the LA Clippers. Powell scored 20+ points for the fifth time this season; something he did four times in 60 games played in 201819. His 13 steals in the month of December (six games), are tied with Russell Westbrook and Solomon Hill for third most in the NBA behind only James Harden (16) and Draymond Green (14).
• The Raptors have tallied 10 or more steals in four-of-six games this month, after recording 10 or more steals three times in 13 games in November. Toronto leads the NBA averaging 10.7 steals in December. Norman Powell (13) and OG Anunoby (12) have combined for 25 of the Raptors’ 64 steals this month.
• December is Toronto’s busiest month of the season with 16 games and includes three back-to-back sets. The Raptors’ 11 games at Scotiabank Arena tie the franchise record for most home games in a calendar month – Toronto also played 11 games at home in March 2016. Also, for the first time the Raptors will play at home Christmas Day when they host the Boston Celtics.
• Toronto has lost three straight games at home (Dec. 3-11) after starting the season with a franchise-record nine straight victories at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors have dropped three in a row at home for the first time since Nov. 29 – Dec. 5, 2015.
• Pascal Siakam is one of five players in the NBA averaging 24.0+ points, 8.0+ rebounds and 3.0+ assists this season, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic and Karl-Anthony Towns. No Raptor has ever averaged 24.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists throughout an entire season. • Kyle Lowry passed Chris Bosh (509) for fourth on the Raptors’ all-time games played list Wednesday night vs. the LA Clippers – he now trails only DeMar DeRozan (675), Morris Peterson (542) and Jose Calderon (525). Lowry is the longest-serving member of the Raptors, currently in his eighth season with the club. He ranks first in franchise history in steals (761) and 3-point field goals (1,260), second in assists (3,595) and fourth in points (8,871).
PROBABLE STARTERS
F – OG ANUNOBY #3
MIN: 30.1 REB: 5.7 AST: 1.7 STL: 1.4 TO: 1.2 BLK: 1.0 PTS: 11.3
• Recorded 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 35 minutes Dec. 11 vs. LA Clippers. • Toronto is 11-2 when Anunoby scores 10 or more points (Last: 13 – Dec. 11 vs. LA Clippers). • Has scored in double figures each of the last three games (Dec. 8-11); averaging 14.0 points during this span.
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 36.8 REB: 8.3 AST: 3.5 STL: 0.9 TO: 2.8 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 24.5
• Finished with a game-high 24 points, four rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes Dec. 11 vs. LA Clippers. • Ranks 15th in the NBA in scoring (24.5) and third in minutes per game (36.8). • Has scored 30+ points eight times; had five 30-point performances in 80 games played last season.
C – MARC GASOL #33
MIN: 28.9 REB: 6.6 AST: 3.6 STL: 0.8 TO: 1.4 BLK: 1.2 PTS: 6.4
• Totaled nine points and team highs of 11 rebounds and six assists 31 minutes Dec. 11 vs. LA Clippers. • Reached 12,000 career points in the NBA Nov. 16 at Dallas. • Has collected 10+ rebounds four times this season, including a season-high 12 rebounds Nov. 2 at Milwaukee.
G – NORMAN POWELL #24
MIN: 28.3 REB: 3.8 AST: 1.5 STL: 1.1 TO: 1.7 BLK: 0.3 PTS: 13.7
• Contributed 22 points and three rebounds in 34 minutes of action Dec. 11 vs. LA Clippers. • Averaging 16.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 31.0 minutes in 13 games as a starter. • Ranks second on the team in scoring (16.5 points) through six games in December; shooting .507 from the field.
G – KYLE LOWRY #7
MIN: 37.2 REB: 4.8 AST: 6.8 STL: 1.2 TO: 3.1 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 19.1
• Recorded six points and a team high-tying six assists in 35 minutes Dec. 11 vs. LA Clippers. • Needs one double-double to tie Antonio Davis (110) for third on the Raptors’ all-time list (see page 3 for top-five). • Averaging 14.8 points and 7.4 assists in five games (Dec. 3-11) since returning from a left thumb injury.
INJURY REPORT Stanley Johnson (Left groin; stress reaction) – Out Matt Thomas (Left middle finger; distal phalanx fracture) – Out Fred VanVleet (right knee contusion) – TBD
SERIES RECAP VS. BROOKLYN
OVERALL HOME ROAD
2018-19
3-1 2-0 1-1
ALL-TIME
53-40 31-15 22-25 STREAKS Won 3 Won 8 Won 1
LAST WIN: April 3, 2019 (115-105)
LAST HOME WIN: February 11, 2019 (127-125)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +37, November 2, 2007
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -25, January 15, 1996
LAST TIME VS. BROOKLYN
GAME 79 – APRIL 3, 2019 TORONTO 115, BROOKLYN 105
NEW YORK — Pascal Siakam had 28 points and 10 rebounds, Kawhi Leonard added 26 points and nine boards and the Toronto Raptors beat the Brooklyn Nets 115-105 for their fifth straight victory … Serge Ibaka finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Raptors, who need to win their final three games to match last season’s franchise record for victories … D’Angelo Russell had 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists for Brooklyn … The Nets had cut the deficit to five early in the third quarter before Siakam made a pair of baskets around Marc Gasol’s 3-pointer to make it 66-54 … Toronto would get the lead as high as 14 points in the quarter and led 90-78 entering the fourth … Russell tried to jump-start a rally early in the fourth, scoring seven straight Brooklyn points to trim it to 92-87 … He scored 18 in the final period … Siakam, Ibaka and Kyle Lowry made 3-pointers over a span of 1:40, before two free throws by Ibaka and another by Siakam pushed it back to 108-96 with 3:15 to play … Russell had one more flurry, making three 3-pointers to cut it to 110-105 with 1:24 left … But Ibaka scored on a follow shot and the Nets couldn’t get anything else to fall … Siakam scored 18 points after halftime.
1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 34 23 33 25 115
BROOKLYN 22 28 28 27 105
NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: Cleveland Cavaliers Date: Monday, December 16 Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: Sportsnet Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN
LAST GAME
GAME 24 – DECEMBER 11, 2019 LA CLIPPERS 112, TORONTO 92
TORONTO — Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points in a 112-92 win over his former team … Pascal Siakam had 24 points to top the Raptors … Toronto shot a season’s worst 8-for-36 from the 3-point line, and matched their season low with 31 field goals … Kyle Lowry missed seven of Toronto’s threes on a 1-for-8 shooting night … Norman Powell finished with 22 points for the Raptors … It was Toronto’s third consecutive loss at home after going a franchise-record 9-0 to start the season … OG Anunoby had 13 points and seven rebounds, Marc Gasol added 11 rebounds and nine points and Terence Davis had 10 points for Toronto … Fred VanVleet was out for the second consecutive game … Leonard shot 8-for-14, and added six assists and five rebounds … Lou Williams poured in 13 points in the second quarter … The Raptors had 14 points in the frame … Toronto pulled within five points with about five minutes left in the third … They didn’t score a basket over the final 3:43 of the period and trailed 88-71 with one quarter left to play … Toronto would come no closer than 14 points from that point on … Lou Williams finished with 18 points while Maurice Harkless had 14 and Paul George 13.
1 2 3 4 TOT
LA CLIPPERS 27 37 24 24 112
TORONTO 32 14 25 21 92
LAST TIME…
50+ points Toronto: 52, DeMar DeRozan, Jan. 1, 2018 vs. Milwaukee (OT). Opponent: 50, Damian Lillard; Mar. 4, 2016 vs. Portland.
40+ points Toronto: 44, Pascal Siakam; Nov. 8, 2019 at New Orleans. Opponent: 42, Russell Westbrook; Mar. 20, 2019 at Oklahoma City (OT). Back-to-back 40+ points Toronto: DeMar DeRozan; Mar. 21, 2017 vs. Chicago OT (42) and Mar. 23, 2017 at Miami (40).
20+ rebounds Toronto: 23, Jonas Valanciunas, Jan. 10, 2017 vs. Boston. Opponent: 22, Andre Drummond, Oct. 30, 2019 vs. Detroit.
20-point, 20-rebound games Toronto: Chris Bosh, Nov. 14, 2006 at Golden State (23 points, 22 rebounds). Opponent: Andre Drummond, Oct. 30, 2019 vs. Detroit (21 points, 22 rebounds).
15+ assists Toronto: 17, Kyle Lowry, Nov. 21, 2018 at Atlanta. Opponent: 15, LeBron James, Nov. 10, 2019 at L.A. Lakers.
Triple-doubles Toronto: Kyle Lowry, Mar. 8, 2019 at New Orleans (13 points, 12 assists, 11 rebounds). Opponent: Russell Westbrook, Dec. 5, 2019 vs. Houston (19 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists).
Two 30+ scorers Toronto: Pascal Siakam (36), Fred VanVleet (30); Nov. 13, 2018 at Portland. Opponent: Stephen Curry (35), Kevin Durant (30); Nov. 16, 2016 vs. Golden State.
Three 20+ scorers Toronto: Pascal Siakam (34), Fred VanVleet (25), Norman Powell (20); Nov. 23 at Atlanta. Opponent: Harrison Barnes (26), Bogdan Bogdanovic (22), Buddy Hield (21); Nov. 6 vs. Sacramento.
Four 20+ scorers Toronto: Kawhi Leonard (30), Pascal Siakam (30), Serge Ibaka (25), Fred VanVleet (21); Jan. 5, 2019 at Milwaukee. Opponent: Monta Ellis (27), Dorell Wright (26), Stephen Curry (23), David Lee (21); Mar. 25, 2011 at Golden State.
Three Double Figure Rebounders Toronto: Serge Ibaka (14), Kawhi Leonard (11), Jonas Valanciunas (10); Nov. 7, 2018 at Sacramento. Opponent: Russell Westbrook (13), Clint Capela (13), P.J. Tucker (11); Dec. 5, 2019 vs. Houston.
Three Players with Double-Doubles Toronto: Pascal Siakam (44 points, 10 rebounds), Kyle Lowry (14 points, 13 assists), Serge Ibaka (10 points, 13 rebounds); Feb. 13 vs. Washington. Opponent: Montrezl Harrell (14 points, 11 rebounds), Kawhi Leonard (12 points, 11 rebounds), JaMychal Green (10 points, 12 rebounds); Nov. 11, 2019 at LA Clippers.
Four Players with Double-Doubles Toronto: Andrea Bargnani (28 points, 10 rebounds), Shawn Marion (16 points, 15 rebounds), Jose Calderon (13 points, 11 assists), Chris Bosh (11 points, 12 rebounds); Feb. 22, 2009 vs. New York. Opponent: Brevin Knight (19 points, 10 assists), Jumaine Jones (17 points, 11 rebounds), Gerald Wallace (11 points, 14 rebounds), Raymond Felton (10 points, 12 assists); Apr. 9, 2006 vs. Charlotte.
Brooklyn Nets (13-11) at Toronto Raptors (16-8) Game #25 Road Game #13 December 14, 2019 7:30 PM EST Scotiabank Arena TV: YES Network / NBA TV WFAN 101.9 FM / 660 AM
PROBABLE STARTERS
[F ] JOE HARRIS #12 • VIRGINIA (6th Season) • 6-6 • 220
2019-20 Averages
14.5 ppg 3.9 rpg 2.1 apg 31.6 mpg
Notables
• Originally signed with the Nets on July 19, 2016 and resigned with the team on July 24, 2018. • In 2018-19, became the first player in Nets history to lead the league in 3FG % (.474), and the first player in franchise history to win the 3-Point Contest at All-Star weekend.
Last Game :9 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts 29 mins 12/11 vs. CHA
[F ] TAUREAN PRINCE #2 • BAYLOR (4th Season) • 6-7 • 218
2019-20 Averages
13.1 ppg 6.1 rpg 2.3 apg 30.6 mpg
Notables
• Acquired via trade with Atlanta on 7/6/19 and signed a multiyear contract extension with Brooklyn on 10/21/19. • Has already registered four double-doubles this season after posting five in his first three NBA seasons combined (all in the 2017-18 season).
Last Game 6 pts, 5 rebs, 3 asts 34 mins 12/11 vs. CHA
[ C ] JARRETT ALLEN #31 • TEXAS (3rd Season) • 6-11 • 243
2019-20 Averages
12.7 ppg 10.5 rpg 1.3 bpg 26.5 mpg
Notables
• Selected by the Nets with the 22nd pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and had his 2020-21 team option exercised on 10/14/19. • Leads all players 21 and under in rpg and is among the top three among players 21 and under in double-doubles and bpg.
Last Game 21 pts, 10 rebs, 2 asts 26 mins 12/11 vs. CHA
[G ] GARRETT TEMPLE #17 • LOUISIANA STATE (10th Season) • 6-5 • 195
2019-20 Averages
10.3 ppg 3.2 rpg 2.4 apg 27.9 mpg
Notables
• Is in his first season with Brooklyn after signing with the Nets as a free agent on 7/8/19. • Has made a career-high-tying six 3-pointers twice this season (11/27 at Boston and 12/4 at Atlanta) after doing so once in his first nine NBA seasons.
Last Game 11 pts, 2 rebs, 4 asts 32 mins 12/11 vs. CHA
[G ] SPENCER DINWIDDIE #8 • COLORADO (6th Season) • 6-5 • 215
2019-20 Averages
20.8 ppg 3.0 rpg 6.2 apg 29.9 mpg
Notables
• Originally signed with the Nets on December 8, 2016 and re-signed a multi-year contract on December 14, 2018. • Earned his first-career Player of the Week honor for games played from 11/18 – 11/24, and is currently averaging career bests for ppg, FTM, FTA, FT %, offensive rating and usage.
Last Game 24 pts, 5 rebs, 6 asts 33 mins 12/11 vs. CHA
IF THE NETS WIN It would give the Nets their fourth win in their last five games (ninth win in their last 12 contests). It would improve Brooklyn’s road record to 7-6. The last time the Nets were over .500 on the road came at the end of the 2012-13 season (2318 road record). It would give Brooklyn a season-high-tying third straight road win, and mark the Nets’ sixth win in their last seven road games (since 11/16 at Chicago). It would snap Brooklyn’s eight-game road losing skid in Toronto (last road win over the Raptors: 109-93 on 2/4/15). The eight straight losses marks Brooklyn’s longest active road losing streak against any Eastern Conference opponent. It would improve Brooklyn’s record against Atlantic Division opponents this season to 4-1.
NETS POST 9-4 MARK AFTER 4-7 START
LINEUP: Brooklyn’s starting five of Dinwiddie, Temple, Harris, Prince and Allen is +47 in 211 minutes in the last 13 games. Since 11/16, the only five-man unit to play more minutes is Denver’s starting five of Murray, Harris, Barton, Millsap and Jokic (+38 in 237 minutes). Of the 47 five-man lineups to play 50+ minutes since 11/16, Brooklyn’s starting five has recorded the second-best plus/minus in the league, trailing Dallas’ Doncic, Hardaway Jr., Finney-Smith, Powell and Porzingis (+51). All five starters have averaged double digit scoring in this 13-game stretch: Dinwiddie (23.8), Harris (15.8), Allen (15.6), Prince (13.2) and Temple (12.7). The current starting five has started 13 straight. The last time the Nets had the same starting five for more than 13 straight came in 2015-16, when Donald Sloan, Wayne Ellington, Joe Johnson, Thad Young and Brook Lopez started 20 straight games from 1/11 – 2/23/16. STANDINGS: Prior to 11/16, Brooklyn was 4-7, tied for the ninth-best record in the Eastern Conference.
TEAM NOTABLES RANKS: The Nets attempt the third-fewest mid-range shots/game (6.5), and attempt the most shots/game from within the restricted area (35.3). Brooklyn allows the third-most shots from mid-range/game (14.7). The Nets register the fewest post-ups/game (1.0) in the league (next-fewest: Houston’s 2.4). The Nets are holding their opponents to .584 FG % in the restricted area, the fourth-best mark in the league, trailing Miwaukee (.540), Toronto (.545) and Indiana (.571).
FOUR FACTORS: The Nets are 14th in effective FG % (.524), second in offensive rebound % (.298), trailing only the Clippers, 13th in FTA rate (.265) and 19th in turnover % (.153).
CLUTCH: In ‘clutch’ situations this season (last five minutes of a game with the point differential at five or less), Brooklyn is a league-best +38. The Nets are third in the league in ‘clutch’ games (17), and tied for second in ‘clutch’ wins (10), trailing Philadelphia (12).
PLAYER NOTABLES Since assuming the starting point guard role with Kyrie Irving out (the last 13 games/since 11/16 at Chicago), Spencer Dinwiddie ranks fifth in the East in ppg (23.8), trailing Giannis Antetokounmpo (31.2), Trae Young (28.3), Bradley Beal (25.7) and Zach LaVine (24.7). Dinwiddie is fourth in the East in apg (7.5) in that time, trailing Ben Simmons (9.4), Young (8.3) and Devonte’ Graham (7.7). Dinwiddie is eighth in the league in drives/game (16.5), and second in the East, trailing only the league leader in drives, Trae Young (19.6). Jarrett Allen is third in the league in FG % (.669), trailing Rudy Gobert and Richaun Holmes, is second in dunks (76), trailing Antetokounmpo (84), third in offensive rebound % (.134), trailing Enes Kanter and Andre Drummond, fourth in offensive rpg (3.8) and tied for 10th in rpg (10.5). DeAndre Jordan is sixth in the league in rebound % (.196), fifth in defensive rebound % (.285), fifth in effective FG % (.693) and leads the league in rpg off the bench (8.8) in 18 games off the bench. Joe Harris is 15th in the league in 3FG % (.438), and seventh among players with 100+ 3FGA. Harris has made 485 threes as a Net, matching Deron Williams for fifth on the Nets’ all-time 3-pointers made list.
BACK-TO-BACK SET The Nets tip off their third of 11 back-to-backs this season at Toronto before taking on the Sixers tomorrow evening in Brooklyn. The Nets are 2-0 in the first game of a back-to-back this season, topping Houston on 11/1 in Brooklyn (123-116) and winning at New York on 11/24 (103-101). The Nets have already swept one back-to-back this season (11/24 at New York and 11/25 at Cleveland) after sweeping three of their 14 back-to-backs last season. Brooklyn’s two opponents in this back-to-back are currently the third and fifth seeds in the East, with a combined record of 35-15. Toronto is 9-3 at home this season. Philadelphia is 6-7 on the road (13-0 at home).
With all of the pomp and circumstance of Kawhi Leonard’s return out of the way, the Toronto Raptors can now get on with more pressing business: Righting what ails them, starting with Saturday’s Basketball Night In Canada tilt against the Brooklyn Nets. A drop-off in overall energy and in shooting execution have led to a […]
Raptors look for missing energy, shooting touch vs. Nets — Toronto Sun
The Boston Celtics came into Barclays Center with a home-and-home sweep in mind, but they weren’t able to get the job done. Brooklyn beat the Celtics 112-107 Friday afternoon, just two days after the Nets fell at TD Garden on Thanksgiving Eve. Brooklyn controlled this one for the majority of the 48-minute outing, and Boston’s…
Celtics Wrap: Boston Falls To Nets 112-107 In Back End Of Home-And-Home — NESN.com
Danny Ainge: Celtics fans shouldn’t boo Kyrie Irving Kyrie Irving, if he gets healthy, will return to Boston with the Nets on Wednesday. How will he be received? Celtics president Danny Ainge said he doesn’t handle game operations, but if it were up to him, Irving would get a tribute video. It was pointed out […]
Danny Ainge: Celtics fans shouldn’t boo Kyrie Irving — High Velocity Sport
The view from left field 