New Jersey Nets sweep the London series; snatch a 137-136 win over Toronto Raptors in triple O.T.
In a historic weekend, NBA’s European fans witnessed the highest scoring game of the season as New Jersey Nets scripted a 137-136 triple overtime win over the Toronto Raptors. The game pictured four missed buzzer-beaters, simulating
the kind of exhilarating finish the NBA officials hoped for in their first European venture.
Travis Outlaw landed two decisive free throws with 12.6 seconds left followed by a layup shot as New Jersey Nets snatched a doubleheader at The O2 Arena, London. Deron Williams concluded the fascinating weekend with his fifth straight
double-double, clinching 21 points and 18 assists since the star power was acquired by the franchise.
DeMar DeRozan and Andrea Bargnani combined for another sparkling 65 points for Toronto Raptors, though their formidable effort was subjugated once again by the Nets.
"We had more than one opportunity to win the game. It's been an unbelievable game. Unfortunately we lost." Bargnani said.
The challenge hit the road with a 17-17 run with less than four minutes left in the first quarter. Toronto grabbed the possession of the ball and landed back to back buckets followed by a blistering 3-pointer from DeRozan to end
the first period with 30-23 advantage.
Farmer lifted the momentum for Nets in the second quarter with successive long distance shots to cut down the deficit 37-36 with almost eight minutes left in the halftime. Leandro Barbosa retaliated aggressively and amplified the
lead 53-47 for Toronto. However Deron Williams replied with consecutive 3-pointers to escalate a tie 55-55 late in the second quarter. Sasha Vujacic joined the action with Williams and supplied successive long distance shot as well in the last minute to wrap
up 65-62 lead as the game progressed into the first half.
The third quarter was stoutly confronted by both the teams, spearheading a forceful contest for each other. With the free throws availed by both the sides in the concluding minutes, third quarter ended with an action-packed 88-88
tie.
Raptors started the final quarter with 7-1 run to put Nets on the back foot however Lopez and Williams strived aggressively to bring the game to a tie 106-106 once again. The second half of the game was all about leading and tying
as both the oppositions were giving a tough time to each other.
Vujacic free throw resulted in two point’s advantage for New Jersey with 25 seconds left though DeRozan responded swiftly with a layup shot to end the fourth quarter to an outstanding 110-110 tie.
First two overtime featured close chances for a buzzer beater leaving the whole arena filled enormous excitement. The third overtime started with Nets domination as they managed to gain 7 points advantage with left than 2 minutes
left. However Raptors bounced back strongly and Barbosa 3-pointer shot provided one point lead to Raptors with 12.6 left in the game. Johnson Foul awarded two free throws to Nets in the defining moments of the play which they turned into a breathtaking 137-136
victory.
This was without any doubt the best game of the season which was played at the O2 Arena for the first time. The game might amplify the prospects for London as spectators would want to see more games of this kind.
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