Demar DeRozan drops 27 as Toronto Raptors batter New Jersey Nets 94-73 - NBA Recap
Toronto Raptors were humbled by Denver Nuggets on Friday night, but just two days later, they put up an outstanding performance and routed the New Jersey Nets 94-73 to improve their record to 7-14.
The game was pretty much in the balance by the end of first half, with Raptors only ahead by 5 points 44-39. In the 3rd quarter though, the Raptors changed gears and outscored the Nets 26-14, to turn the game in their
favour, by acquiring a 17 point lead 70-53.
Raptors pushed their momentum into the deciding frame and midway through the period had boosted the lead to 20 points 82-62. Except for Deron Williams, there was no resistance at all from the other end as Nets probably had given
up the fight. The game and the misery for Nets finally ended with Raptors reserve Linas Kleiza’s four points run just before the buzzer.
Demar DeRozan stole the show tonight with 27 points on 8 for 12 from the floor. More importantly, he scored 19 out of his total points in the second half which turned the game on its head.
"The key was patience," he said. "I watched a lot of film and I didn't want to force a lot of things. Lately we get kind of slow coming out in the third quarter, so I tried to be aggressive and get things going."
Coach Dwane Casey was impressed with DeRozan’s performance.
"I thought DeRozan did a heck of a job attacking the basket," Casey said. "He's too athletic and too quick to not get to the rim."
Jerryd Bayless was also phenomenal and put up an all round performance, 17 points on 3-4 from the charity stripe, pulled down 6 rebounds and dished out 3 assists. Kleiza accumulated 15 points while Jose Calderon bundled 10 points.
Raptors completely outclassed the Nets in shooting department, netting 51.5% from the floor in contrast to 36.5% from the Nets.
Deron Williams led the Nets with 24 points on 8-for-20 from the floor and 5-for-6 from the charity stripe while Anthony Morrow gathered 14 points in his 27:19 minutes stint. No other player managed to end with double figures, which
sums up the disappointing performance for New Jersey.
Nets coach Avery Johnson was naturally displeased with the outcome of the game.
"We didn't have any energy on either side of the floor. “Johnson said. "(Toronto) came in, they're a hungry team, and DeRozan had a big night. Unfortunately we just had a bad offense and bad defence."
The Nets will now look t regroup before their next game and get their season on track.
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