Raptors Defeat Nets, Draw Level

After a quiet series opener, DeMar DeRozan torched the Nets for 30 points on Tuesday.

The Toronto Raptors had six players score in double digits and took advantage of a 52-30 rebounding edge to get the better of the Brooklyn Nets in the second game of their first round playoff series, Tuesday.

The Raptors took the 100-95 victory at Air Canada Centre, leveling the best-of-seven series at one game apiece.

After the headline-making shenanigans of Saturday’s playoff opener, the hardwood action took center stage on Tuesday as the Raptors were able to fend off the Nets in what proved to be a close game.

DeMar DeRozan rebounded from a slow start to his playoff career to lead all scorers with 30 points, going 9-of-21 from the field and knocking down 12-of-14 at the free throw line. 17 of those points came during the pivotal fourth quarter.

Amir Johnson added 16 points and nine boards while Kyle Lowry put together a solid all-around game, tallying 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Parrying any potential distraction coming from an impending DUI case, Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas scored 15 points and 14 rebounds to record a double-double in his second straight playoff game.

Both Pattrick Patterson and Greivis Vasquez made an impact of the bench. Patterson had 12 points and nine rebounds while Vasquez added 11 points and eight assists. Terrence Ross was the only starter not to score in double digits for the Raptors.

After combining for 48 points in the first game, Brooklyn again got solid performances from the backcourt of Joe Johnson (18pts) and Deron Williams (15pts), although the Raptors did a better job of holding the two in check.

Mirza Teletovic contributed 14 points off the bench, including 3-of-6 shooting from behind the arc, while Kevin Garnett added 13 points in limited minutes. Shawn Livingstone also finished in double figures, tallying 12 points.

But the Raptors beat the Nets in the trenches, earning a 22-rebound advantage on the glass, including a 19-11 differential at the offensive end.

“We were a soft team tonight,” Paul Pierce – who was limited to seven points as he fought through foul trouble – told reporters after the game.

“We can’t give up [19] offensive rebounds. That is tough to overcome.”

In terms of Game 2’s betting lines, the five-point differential saw a push against the spread while the over paid out against the total (190.5).

Tied at 1-1, the series will now switch to Brooklyn with Game 3 scheduled for Friday (7:00 p.m. ET).

Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets odds for 04/25/2014

Betting lines for Game 3 have yet to be released. You’ll be able to find them at the link above as soon as they’re available.

The Nets and Raptors split a pair of games at Barclays Center during the regular season. The Raptors won 104-103 on January 27 before the Nets walked away with a 101-97 victory on March 10. Each team covered the spread in their victory while the over paid out in both games.

In the short history of the arena, Toronto is 1-3 straight up when playing at Barclays Center.

So far, this year’s series has mirrored the 2007 playoff matchup between the two sides, with the Nets winning Game 1 and the Raptors winning Game 2. The Nets went on to win that series 4-2, going a perfect 3-0 at home (then Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, N.J.).

Looking Ahead: The winner of the Nets-Raptors series will meet the winner of the first round series between the Miami Heat and Charlotte Bobcats. Miami currently leads the series 1-0 and will host the Bobcats in Game 2 on Wednesday (7:00 p.m.ET)

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