The Raptors hoped to end a negative spiral by offering the scalp of the net, and they had put together all the ingredients to topple one of the NBA’s in-form teams. But the teammates of a Fred VanVleet in fusion (39 points) fell on a bone. Brooklyn is evolving at an impressive level of confidence and held on until the end, until the knockout blow of Kyrie Irving.
The Raptors had started the meeting perfectly, with in particular a big passage from Fred VanVleet to accompany Pascal Siakam and make a first gap after 12 minutes (29-19). There was then a 10-2 to increase the gap to +16 (49-33), before Juancho Hernangomez and the Cameroonian strong winger do not invite themselves to the party on the 3-point shot. Because that was the first lesson of this first half: Toronto had finally set the sights from afar (8/16)!
But it took more to start the appetite of the Nets, determined to continue their good series. So there was a first close at -10 powered by the Watanabe-Warren pair, alongside Kevin Durant (62-52).
The start of the second half then allowed Brooklyn to completely change the face of the game. Thus, Kyrie Irving then “KD”, authors of several impressive baskets with the fault as a bonus, took the match on their own to bring the Nets to a possession in less than four minutes (70-67)! Despite the resistance of the locals, the balance of power was then reversed at the end of the third quarter, concluded by a new “and-one” from n°7, then by a dunk from TJ Warren (84-88).
The last act promised to be disputed, and it was! The Nets were the first to draw, guided by Kyrie Irving (and a 3-pointer from Yuta Watanabe) to bring the gap to +8 (95-103). Toronto struggled to come back, relying on the talent of Scottie Barnes, and to a precious Fred VanVleet. On the final basket of the leader, the Raptors then took the lead one minute from the end (112-111).
In the final sprint, Brooklyn was able to count on two “killer” shots, a 3-pointer in the corner signed Yuta Watanabe, then a new one, signed Kyrie Irving this time, to seal the success of the New Yorkers. at the buzzer (116-119)!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Kyrie Irving signs the action of the evening. It was thanks to a Jordanian shot on the head of Fred VanVleet that the Nets point guard folded the game at the buzzer. Kyrie Irving revved up over the second half and multiplied the “clutch” actions in the money-time. In the last minute, he chained a lay-up then a light pass for Yuta Watanabe before finishing with the highlight of the show. Hats off to the artist!
– The Raptors not paid. Until the end, Canadians believed that the wheel would finally turn. With a found 3-point address combined with the aggressiveness on both sides of the floor which makes the success of Nick Nurse’s teams, only 8 lost balls and a Fred VanVleet definitively reconciled with his shot. Back in front after being up to 8 points behind in the “money-time”, they finally faltered on a stroke of genius from Kyrie Irving. Infuriating!
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Kyrie Irving. 32 points, 5 assists, only one lost ball and the winning shot to finish in style, Kyrie Irving was still on fire last night. Author of 15 points and 2 assists in the last act, he is the one who tipped the meeting in favor of Brooklyn.
✅ Kevin Durant. Watching him play in attack is always a treat. He still abused the opposing defense by scoring with great efficiency (28 points at 10/15 shooting), even if he sometimes lost his nerves. Like this technical foul received after a tough exchange with Scottie Barnes, or this exchange with the referee, on an offensive foul whistled against him after sending Juancho Hernangomez to the ground.
✅ Yuta Watanabe. It’s a nice revenge for the Japanese international to be able to shine on his old floor. The winger came very close to being the hero of the match following his 3-point shot scored 15 seconds from the end, which preceded the final “dagger” from Kyrie Irving. He finished the game with 17 points at 6/7 shooting, including 3/4 at 3-pointers.
✅⛔️ Fred VanVleet. Another big game from him, his second in a row at 39 points! He guided his team in the first half. A little less visible then, he was still there to register the important baskets and in particular to tear himself away in the paint. Not much to reproach him, except that once again, he explodes the stats but without the victory at the end.
THE FOLLOWING
Toronto (13-16): the Raptors will try to revive when the Warriors receive this Sunday (00:00).
Brooklyn (18-12): the Nets wrap up their four-game road trip with a final trip to Detroit this Sunday (12:00 a.m.).
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