2014 NBA Playoffs: Toronto Raptors (3) vs Brooklyn Nets (6)

[kerry kittles]

That was probably the worst id seen our bench play as well. We gotta do better

I can't believe how poorly Teletovic shot. Even more shocking was how wide open he was, as if he wasn't even on the Raps scouting report. If they continue to ignore him he could very well turn the tide of a game by making 5-6 threes.

i think it was largely nerves for him. That one air ball in the corner was BAD. They showed some pregame interviews on the YES network where I watched the game, and I remarked on the Nets board, how nervous Teletovic seemed to sound. It was his first playoff game, but damn he's 28, needs to settle down. The 3's from him were very rushed. He usually doesn't rush his shots like he did today.

[therealbig3]

No fouls called on the Nets in the 4th quarter. Zero. it's unheard of. Exceot in the NBA , a rigged league.

The Raptors didn't really attack the paint, all they did was take jumpers.

I agree with the Raptors fans, KG DID foul Val pretty clearly late in the game, but other than that, I don't really see a play where it's obvious that the Raps should have gotten FTs. Just looked like a lot of physical play.

I mean, I don't think the Nets shot many FTs in that quarter except at the end when the Raps were fouling.

[Rich Rane]

Any chance the Nets had are gone with Plumlee and SL with 4 fouls.
8 fouls.in 26 minutes for those 2.

SL is Brooklyn's best perimeter defender while Plumlee is their most important big man overall.

You gave up way too easily.

[ChampionRed]

Man...The NBA NEEEEEDS to get some national coverage over there in Toronto during the season. Their crowd is absolutely incredible! SO much energy. Why can't they work out some kind of deal?? It's honestly a big shame.

[Roland Brice]

only way raps can win is if their bench can outplay the nets bench which is possible. They have to take advantage of that

Yup.. I pointed that out before the series as well.
Toronto has a very good bench that can cancel out Brooklyn's.

Brooklyn's bench played about as poorly as it could play today.
Thronton was a non factor (-15)
Anderson played ok (-3)
Teletovic was terrible (-13)
Plumlee couldn't stay on the court but was +13 in the 12 minutes he was able to play.
Blatche wasn't very good (-16)

Not sure why AK didn't play.
Anyone?

They asked Kidd about Ak47 in the post game. He said he's healthy but he can't play everyone. He said he's ready to go for game 2 but that doesn't guarantee he'll play.

[Rich Rane]

Man...The NBA NEEEEEDS to get some national coverage over there in Toronto during the season. Their crowd is absolutely incredible! SO much energy. Why can't they work out some kind of deal?? It's honestly a big shame.

Too busy putting on Lakers and Knicks games this season.

[kerry kittles]

No fouls called on the Nets in the 4th quarter. Zero. it's unheard of. Exceot in the NBA , a rigged league.

Oh come on the Raptors were taking jump shots. They were looking to drive the ball, get fouled and go to the line. The officiating was very even. And there was a foul called on the Nets, that DWill offensive foul that looked very questionable

[Spicy P]

WTF Toronto fans? You go from trash talking the hell out of us leading up to this game, to giving up all hope after a game 1 loss?

I'd love to believe it's over...but it's game 1.

But game 2 is an absolute must-win for Toronto.

Some fans need to temper their expectations or they end up disappointed like this. We were supposed to be a lottery team at the start of the season. We have 2 sophomores in our starting lineup and none of our starters have ever started a playoff game. Game was decided in the last few minutes too.

[Spicy P]

Man...The NBA NEEEEEDS to get some national coverage over there in Toronto during the season. Their crowd is absolutely incredible! SO much energy. Why can't they work out some kind of deal?? It's honestly a big shame.

We don't have Vince Carter anymore

[ThereIsNoSpork]

Raptors fans have zero right to complain about the refs after they blatantly kept the Raptors in it in the first half. 2 BS techs and Deron was getting hacked the whole time without a call.

Reffing was fine. Nobody is complaining about it.

Except 3/4 of our fanbase


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[Mohanad]

Officiating was disgraceful. Not a single foul called on the Nets in a close 4th quarter game. Vintage NBA officiating.

Still got to give the game to the Nets though. Inexperienced showed, and this wasn't the same Raptors team. Missed easy put backs, couldn't win the 50-50 balls and terrible shot selection. Once the nerves calm for this young Raptor team, then we'll have a series. Looking forward to game 2.

Aside from that horrific travel, the truth just went to work on us in the clutch.

[Torres]

First off.. just a plea for both sides to keep it classy.

I was amazed how civil the Bulls and Nets fans got along last year in the game threads. Great analysis, compliments on both sides and overall very respectful discussion. Would love to see that again.

Even though I had a bad feeling at the half, I originally thought BK had a very good chance at taking this game. I expect Toronto to come back with a vengeance in game 2 and win handily (my original prediction as well). Not sure I like the fact the Nets are traveling home and then coming back to Toronto.


Speaking of classy.. I missed this.
Ujiri shouting F Brooklyn to the crowd pre game.
http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/4/1 ... ptors-nets

Considering Masai Ujiri just said "F*** Brookyln" publicly, don't know exactly if things are still classy.

[andrewww]

i think kidd is saving ak47 for the eventual heat series in the next round. probably their best defender on the lebron off the nets' bench.

[Raps Maniac]

Pretty disappointed, but as much as I could be. This was NOT the team that we saw in the regular season. Everything was so off - Demar was just plain horrible, Amir vanished and Ross couldn't get out of a foul. I assume things will only get better from this game 1, hopefully they got these jitters out of the game. On to game 2 now.

[Green Backpack]

The Raptors cannot blame the officials. They shot themselves in their own foot with sloppy turnovers all game long

[SpiderMunn]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JLew1050/status/457613399716012032[/tweet]

Josh Lewenberg ‏@JLew1050

Pierce threw his head band into the crowd after the game, fan threw it back at him, Pierce threw it a second time

[HelloBrooklyn]

only way raps can win is if their bench can outplay the nets bench which is possible. They have to take advantage of that

Yup.. I pointed that out before the series as well.
Toronto has a very good bench that can cancel out Brooklyn's.

Brooklyn's bench played about as poorly as it could play today.
Thronton was a non factor (-15)
Anderson played ok (-3)
Teletovic was terrible (-13)
Plumlee couldn't stay on the court but was +13 in the 12 minutes he was able to play.
Blatche wasn't very good (-16)

Not sure why AK didn't play.
Anyone?

It's because he doesn't spread the floor. That's why they would rather have MT3 in than mirza because none of the raptors wings can really play JJ straight up so it creates a lot of mismatch and broken defense. Only thing is if the raps staff are smart next game if MT3 can't hit open jumpers like in this game, they are better off taking the risk and sag off of him. So the defensive rotation can be simplified so less chance of messing up.

[Albanian Damien]

No fouls called on the Nets in the 4th quarter. Zero. it's unheard of. Exceot in the NBA , a rigged league.

The Raptors didn't really attack the paint, all they did was take jumpers.

I agree with the Raptors fans, KG DID foul Val pretty clearly late in the game, but other than that, I don't really see a play where it's obvious that the Raps should have gotten FTs. Just looked like a lot of physical play.

I mean, I don't think the Nets shot many FTs in that quarter except at the end when the Raps were fouling.

I disagree with people who say that was a foul on KG at the end. I don't know if they watched the replay. They showed it twice, he didn't even make any contact. The only reason it looked like a foul is because of how he swiped at Val but that's not a foul..

[sca]

Congrats to the Nets. They played better, and were the clear winners tonight.

Not much is lost, though. It's foolish to assume that everything's over just after the first game. We've got to find some ways to get our wings going, especially at the start of the game. We also can't afford to give up so many easy looks from behind the three point line.

Tonight might be the first time that I wanted Casey to go small, but he didn't. Patterson guarding -or shall I say, trying to guard- Pierce at the end was pathetic. It's not on him, though, as he's clearly incapable of guarding one of the league's coldest blooded, and craftiest wing players.

[N Ireland Nets]

Paul Pierce was just spotted leaving Toronto..