• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024
Photo: Tom Szczerbowski, USA TODAY Sports)

RAPTORS HAD IT COMING?  Written by: Bobby O’Hara

The Nets started their first round playoff series with the Toronto Raptors early Saturday in Toronto. However, this game felt like it started way before today. During the week the Raptors felt that the Brooklyn Nets tanked their season in order to play Toronto instead of Chicago, the team they lost to last year in the first round, in round one of the 2014 NBA Playoffs. Toronto’s Terrence Ross had said on a Reddit Ask Me Anything segment “I want Brooklyn, personally,” when asked what team he’d like to face in the playoffs. He also called Kevin Garnett the best screen-setter in the league because, “he sets illegal screens and never gets caught.”Also at the Raptor’s rally Toronto’s GM shouted “F*** Brooklyn!” and later apologized for using such explicit language, but stating that everyone knows how much he doesn’t like Brooklyn. That’s all great and all Mr. Ujiri, but what was said was said and as a GM in the NBA you should hold yourself to a higher standard in the league instead of acting like the rest of the fans and player just adding to, not the Raptor’s fire, but the Net’s. Lead by veterans Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett the Raptors are just adding on to locker room postage for Brooklyn.

The game started off like many expected full of energy by the Raptors team and a Brooklyn team looking to just keep a nice pace to the game. The Raptors were a little over energetic on defense leading to a few fast defensive fouls on Terrence Ross. The Nets had a tough time keeping players out of foul trouble as well. Shaun Livingston soon saw himself on the bench and center Mason Plumlee couldn’t seem to keep himself on the court taking away a huge asset and advantage on the boards for the Nets. With two of the best backcourts in the NBA facing off someone had to give Brooklyn an edge and soon enough Deron Williams put the Nets up. Quickly after though, Raptors pg Kyle Lowry would’t allow his team to stay down and kept the Raptors in the game most of the way.

The second half started, but the shot clocks didn’t….Yes this is the NBA Playoffs and the shot clocks were no longer working. The solution? Have a PA announcer count down the shot clock when it hit five seconds. This was just another crazy playoff game between the Nets and Raptors.

The game was even most of the way until the Raptors received what was coming to them…The Truth. Paul Pierce would make 9 consecutive points capped off by an incredible 20 ft turn around fade away to put the Nets up 88-81 with less than 1 minute left. The Nets went on to win in Toronto 94-87. D-Will and Joe Johnson lead in scoring for Brooklyn. Williams had 24 points and Johnson had 24 points.

After Paul Pierce hit a huge game winning shot you could read his lips say “This is why I’m here!” That is why you were brought here Truth and your incredible play in the playoffs throughout your career has been absolutely a sight to see.

The Nets will play Game 2 in Toronto on Tuesday.

PuresportsNY:Bobby O’Hara

By Bobby O'Hara

Bobby is a graduate of the Connecticut School of Broadcasting where he studied TV, Radio, and Journalism. Growing up in New Jersey, he is a hometown guy who loves the local fans’ passion for the game. Bobby currently covers football for PureSportsNY. Graduating with awards in both audio and video production, Bobby also produces video and graphics.

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