Glen Davis showed up wearing a “Respect the Logo” T-shirt and, during one break in the action, stood and exchanged chatter with Kevin Durant from his second row baseline seat. 866 more words
Asked about Sunday’s difference, Kyrie Irving offered a name: “Jayson Tatum.” The Celtics star scored 54 points in the presence of two of his friends and idols — Irving and Kevin Durant — and once again left little doubt about his ascendance into the NBA’s upper tier. Including his 51-point performance in last season’s play-in…
Jaylen Brown suffered what looked like a pretty serious ankle injury on Tuesday against the Atlanta Hawks. But Celtics head coach Ime Udoka told reporters Wednesday that Brown’s ankle sprain wasn’t as bad as it looked, and the guard would be day-to-day. When Brown returned to the floor Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets, it was […]
FINAL SCORE: TORONTO RAPTORS 109, BROOKLYN NETS 108
DATE: TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2022
FINAL SCORE
RECORD
HIGH POINTS
HIGH REBOUNDS
HIGH ASSISTS
Brooklyn
108
32-31
Johnson – 19
Aldridge – 9
Curry – 6
Toronto
109
34-27
Trent Jr. – 24
Barnes – 10
Flynn – 8
KEY RUN
Trailing by six points at the 5:25 mark in the fourth quarter, the Raptors went on a 13-2 run to take a five-point lead, their largest of the second half (103-98) with 1:50 remaining in the frame … Toronto led for the rest of the game.
KEY STAT
Toronto overcame an eight-point deficit (89-81) in the final frame, marking the Raptors’ largest fourth quarter comeback this season … Gary Trent Jr. led all scorers with 12 points in the fourth quarter and went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.
RAPTORS NOTES:
With the win, Toronto improves to 34-27 this season and 17-13 at home … The Raptors are now 9-4 on the second half of a back-to-back set … Toronto will continue a three-game homestand (Mar. 1-4) Thursday night against Detroit.
Gary Trent Jr. scored a team-high 24 points and matched a career best with seven assists … Trent Jr. has scored 20+ points in 21 of 52 games this season, something he did 15 times in 58 contests last year … He has also dished out 5+ assists in consecutive games (Feb. 28 – Mar. 1) for the first time in his career.
Scottie Barnes recorded 18 points (8-13 FG, 2-2 FT), a team-high 10 rebounds and four assists in 41 minutes … Barnes has now tallied seven double-doubles this season – the most by a Raptors rookie since Jonas Valanciunas (8) during the 2012-13 season … In four games since the All-star break, Barnes is averaging 20.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and shooting .720 (36-50) from the field.
Malachi Flynn made his second consecutive start (Feb. 28 – Mar. 1) and tallied 15 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in a season-high 43 minutes … Tonight marks the first time this season, and fifth in Flynn’s career, that he has recorded 15+ points, 5+ rebounds and 5+ assists.
NETS NOTES:
With the loss, Brooklyn falls to 32-31, including 19-14 on the road … The Nets drop to 2-9 on the second half of a back-to-back … Brooklyn will return home to play the Miami Heat Thursday night.
Seth Curry recorded 18 points and a team-high six assists in 37 minutes … Curry is averaging 17.9 points, 4.0 assists and shooting .490 (47-96) from the field in seven games since being traded to Brooklyn.
James Johnson tallied a season-high 19 points (7-11 FG, 3-5 3PT, 2-3 FT) and added three assists and two rebounds in 31 minutes … Johnson has scored in double-figures 10 times this season, most recently Feb. 16 at New York.
Brooklyn’s reserves outscored Toronto’s 38-to-23, led by Cam Thomas (11) and Goran Dragic (10).
Durant, Kevin Out Injury/Illness – Left Knee; MCL Sprain Harris, Joe Out Injury/Illness – Left Ankle; Surgery Irving, Kyrie Out Ineligible To Play Simmons, Ben Out Return to Competition Reconditioning
Toronto Raptors
Anunoby, OG Out Injury/Illness – Right Hand; Ring Finger – Fracture Bonga, Isaac Out G League – On Assignment Johnson, David Out G League – Two-Way VanVleet, Fred Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Soreness
GAME #60 – TORONTO RAPTORS (32-27) at BROOKLYN NETS (32-29) MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2022 – 7:30 P.M. (ET) – BARCLAYS CENTER TV: TSN – RADIO: TSN 1050 TORONTO
• The Toronto Raptors (32-27) complete a three-game road trip Monday night with the first game of a back-to-back set both against the Brooklyn Nets (32-29). Tonight marks the third of four meetings between the two teams this season, with Brooklyn winning the first two. Fred VanVleet is averaging a team-high 26.0 points in two games against the Nets this season. The Raptors are currently in the middle of a stretch that will see the team play six games in eight days (Feb. 25 – Mar. 4) for the first time since March 10-17, 2012. • The Raptors fell 127-100 to Atlanta on Saturday night and have now lost four of their last five games (Feb. 12-26), after a season-long eight game winning streak (Jan. 29 – Feb. 10). Toronto outrebounded the Hawks 11-to-5 on the offensive glass, leading to a 23-4 advantage in second chance points. The Raptors currently ranks second in the NBA in both offensive rebounds (13.1) and second chance points (16.2). Toronto is a +31 (140-109) on the offensive glass through 11 games in February. • Precious Achiuwa scored a season-high 21 points (8-12 FG, 2-3 3PT, 3-3 FT) and grabbed nine rebounds in 30 minutes off the bench Saturday in Atlanta. Achiuwa is the second reserve to score 20+ points for Toronto this season. Chris Boucher had 23 points Jan. 17 at Miami. Achiuwa has now led the bench in scoring 10 times this year, including each of the last three games (Feb. 16-25). Reserve Thaddeus Young also scored in double digits Saturday adding 10 points. The Raptors dropped to 7-2 this season when two or more players scored 10+ points off the bench. • Pascal Siakam recorded his team-leading 19th double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds Feb. 26 vs. Atlanta. Siakam passed his previous single-season career high of 18 double-doubles set during in 2018-2019 season. He is currently averaging 21.4 points, and career bests of 8.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists, in 46 games. Siakam is one of just seven players in the NBA averaging 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, James Harden, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic and Dejounte Murray. No Raptor has averaged 20-8-5 for an entire season. • Fred VanVleet has scored 20+ points in eight of nine games played during the month of February, averaging 20.7 points and shooting .429 (39-91) from three-point range during this span. He sat out Feb. 10 at Houston with left groin soreness and Feb. 16 at Minnesota with a right knee contusion. VanVleet has made 208 threes this season – third most in a season in Raptors history; behind only Kyle Lowry (238 in 2017-18 & 212 in 2015-16). VanVleet has connected on 5+ threes in a franchise record 19 games this season. • Scottie Barnes leads the Raptors – and all rookies – with 122 offensive boards this season. Barnes currently ranks fifth all-time among Raptors rookies in offensive rebounds – behind Chris Bosh (191), Charlie Villanueva (181), Ed Davis (168) and Marcus Camby (131). PROBABLE STARTERS F – SCOTTIE BARNES #4
MIN: 35.1 REB: 7.3 AST: 3.2 STL: 1.0 TO: 1.9 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 14.5 • Tallied six points, four rebounds and one block in 21 minutes Feb. 26 at Atlanta. • Leads all rookies in minutes (35.1), ranks third in rebounds (7.3), and fifth in both points (14.5) and assists (3.2). • Has scored 20+ points 11 times – the most by a Raptors rookie since Charlie Villanueva (12) in 2005-06. F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 37.6 REB: 8.6 AST: 5.1 STL: 1.2 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.7 PTS: 21.4 • Recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds for his team-leading 19th double-double Feb. 26 at Atlanta. • Averaging 22.5 points, 9.4 rebounds and is shooting .524 (100-191) from the field in 11 games this month. • The Raptors are 6-1 this season when Siakam scores 30+ points this season. C – KHEM BIRCH #24
MIN: 18.5 REB: 4.4 AST: 1.2 STL: 0.7 TO: 0.6 BLK: 0.5 PTS: 4.7 • Contributed two rebounds and one assist in 13 minutes Feb. 26 at Atlanta. • Averaging 5.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 19.0 minutes in 10 games as a starter. • Has scored in double figures three times this season (Last: 10 – Nov. 19 at Sacramento). G – GARY TRENT JR. #33
• Finished with nine points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 31 minutes Feb. 26 at Atlanta. • Ranks third in the NBA in steals per game (1.84) and fourth in total deflections (171). • Averaging 20.8 points and shooting .413 (90-218) from beyond the arc in 25 games on the road this season. G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 38.2 REB: 4.5 AST: 6.9 STL: 1.6 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.5 PTS: 21.4 • Scored a team-high 24 points in 35 minutes Feb. 26 at Atlanta; added nine assists and three rebounds. • Leads NBA in minutes (38.2), and ranks second in total deflections (200) and three-point field goals made (208). • Has logged 40+ minutes in 17 games – the most by a Raptor since Kyle Lowry (19) in the 2016-17 season.
2021-22 RECORDS W-L EAST WEST OVERALL 32-27 21-16 11-11 HOME 16-13 10-7 6-6 AWAY 16-14 11-9 5-5 OVERTIME 2-1 2-1 0-0
INJURY REPORT OG Anunoby (Right Hand; Ring Finger – Fracture) – Out Isaac Bonga (G League – On Assignment) – Out David Johnson (G League – Two-Way) – Out Fred VanVleet (Right Knee; Soreness) – Questionable UPDATED: Feb. 27, 2022 NEXT GAME DETAILS Opponent: Brooklyn Nets Date: Tuesday, March 1 Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET) Venue: Scotiabank Arena Television: TSN Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN SERIES RECAP VS. BROOKLYN OVERALL HOME ROAD 2021-22 0-2 0-1 0-1 ALL-TIME 58-44 34-17 24-27 STREAKS Lost 3 Lost 2 Lost 1 LAST WIN: Apr. 21, 2021 (114-103) LAST HOME WIN: Apr. 21, 2021 (114-103) LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +37 (Nov 2, 2007) LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -25 (Jan. 15, 1996) LAST TIME VS. BROOKLYN GAME 28 – DECEMBER 14, 2021 BROOKLYN 131, TORONTO 129 (OT) NEW YORK — Patty Mills made a 3 to force overtime, Kevin Durant had 34 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Toronto Raptors 131-129 … Durant was upgraded from questionable just before the game because Brooklyn has seven players in the NBA’s health and safety protocol … He responded with his 14th triple-double of his career … Brooklyn won its third straight, with Mills adding 30 points … The Nets also got 17 from Kessler Edwards, 16 from Nic Claxton and 13 from Blake Griffin … The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for Toronto (13-15) … Fred VanVleet led the Raptors with 31 … Gary Trent Jr. and Pascal Siakam each finished with 25 … Scottie Barnes had 23, but missed what would have been a game-winning, buzzer-beating 3 in overtime … Trailing by 10 entering the third quarter, Toronto outscored Brooklyn 44- 25 to take a 100-91 advantage going into the fourth … But Brooklyn outscored Toronto 26-11 over the first 7:18 of the fourth quarter, regaining the lead … It didn’t last. Barnes knocked down two 3s to tie the game, and Trent made a 3 with 1:21 left to give the Raptors a 120-117 lead … That held until Mills’ 3 with 13 seconds left forced overtime. 1 2 3 4 OT TOT TORONTO 32 24 44 20 9 129 BROOKLYN 33 33 25 29 11 131
BROOKLYN NETS
LAST GAME STARTERS
[ F ] B R U C E B R O W N
1 • MIAMI (4th Season) • 6-4 • 202
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game 6.8 ppg 4.4 rpg 1.4 apg 21.7 mpg • Acquired by Brooklyn from Detroit in a three-team trade with the Clippers on 11/19/20; re-signed with the Nets on 8/8/21. • Posted career highs in FG % (.556), rpg (5.4), offensive rating (115.9), net rating (3.5), effective FG % (.576) and double-doubles (six) in 2020-21. 15 pts, 7 rebs, 2 asts 32 mins 2/26 at MIL
[ F ] J AME S J O H N S O N
16 • WAKE FOREST (13th Season) • 6-7 • 235
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game 6.0 ppg 3.6 rpg 2.1 apg 19.8 mpg • Is in his first season with the Nets after signing with Brooklyn as a free agent on 8/6/21. • Made his seventh start of the season for Brooklyn on Thursday night versus Boston at Barclays Center. 7 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts 35 mins 2/26 at MIL
[C ] A N D R E D R UM M O N D
0 • CONNECTICUT (10th Season) • 6-10 • 280
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game 6.6 ppg 9.0 rpg 2.0 apg 18.8 mpg • Is in his first season with Brooklyn after being acquired via trade with Philadelphia on 2/10/22. • Is a two-time All-Star (2016, 2018), a 2016 All-NBA Third Team selection and has led the NBA in rebounds four times (2016, 2018-20). 17 pts, 12 rebs, 5 asts 29 mins 2/26 at MIL
[ G ] S E T H C U R R Y
30 • DUKE (8th Season) • 6-1 • 192
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game 15.4 ppg 3.4 rpg 4.0 apg 34.5 mpg • Is in his first season with Brooklyn after being acquired via trade with Philadelphia on 2/10/22. • Ranks fourth all-time in NBA history in 3-point percentage (.438) and second among active players, trailing only Joe Harris (.439). 19 pts, 1 reb, 3 asts 29 mins 2/26 at MIL
[ G ] K Y R I E I R V I N G
11 • DUKE (11th Season) • 6-2 • 195
2021-22 Averages Notables Last Game 25.1 ppg 4.8 rpg 5.3 apg 36.4 mpg • Signed as a free agent with the Nets on 7/7/19. • Is a seven-time All-Star (2013-15, 2017-19, 2021), two-time All-NBA honoree (second team in 2019 and third team in 2015), All-Star Game MVP (2014), Rookie of the Year (2012) and an NBA champion (2016). 38 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asts 39 mins 2/26 at MIL
2021-22 BROOKLYN NETS RECORDS RECORD HOME ROAD OVERTIME OVERALL 32-29 13-16 19-13 2-0 DIVISION 7-3 3-3 4-0 1-0 WESTERN CONF. 10-15 4-7 6-8 1-0 EASTERN CONF. 22-14 9-9 13-5 1-0
IF THE NETS WIN ➢ It would extend the Nets’ win streak vs. Toronto to four games, which would match the Nets’ longest win streak vs. Toronto all-time (the Nets topped the Raptors in four straight games from 1/10/03 – 4/12/03). ▪ The Nets have won three straight games against Toronto (entering tonight’s game) for the first time since 11/3/12 – 1/15/13. ➢ It would improve Brooklyn’s record vs. Atlantic Division opponents this season to 8-3.
New York mayor Eric Adams called his city’s coronavirus-vaccine mandate – which barred unvaccinated Kyrie Irving from playing Nets home games – “unfair.”