Silver Lining...
The Nets are STILL in the playoffs - Raptors need 4 wins not just 3. And tonight revealed that even though they can totally dominate the Nets at times, they can be vulnerable to fourth quarter runs.
Jason Kidd actually played the hot team in the fourth quarter?! That's a major breakthrough for him as stubborn as he is about his infallible rotations. It was a MAJOR reason why the Nets were able to put the Raptors on their heels towards the end of the game. Will Kidd repeat that in an elimination game as well? Playing the hot hand or hot team?
MT3 finally was able to hit from behind the arc tonight. His production has been absent prior to this game - perhaps he's finally gotten over the playoff jitters and will return to regular season form...at least for game 6 at least.
And lastly, Joe Johnson had a spectacular heroic effort in a comeback attempt that was another rebound/possession away from being legendary. Unfortunately, they dug a hole that was just too deep to get out of.
Interestingly, in a game where the Nets were getting killed, Joe Johnson's plus/minus was an astronomical
+22This was the first time, this entire season including the playoffs, that the Brooklyn Nets had finished with an L when Joe Johnson had a
plus/minus of 6 or more. [
Regular season 29-0; Post Season 1-1]
I've resigned myself of this season earlier on when KG was limited to bench minutes in the regular season - so, I'm not as shocked as others here. But I figure these were some positives to hold on to as being hopeful for those that are looking for something in elimination game in Brooklyn.
Garnett’s shot...boosted him to 25,000 points in his NBA career. More than that, by reaching...25,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 5,000 assists, 1,500 steals and 1,500 blocks — Garnett joined an elite class of …
ONE. Just him. That’s it - Steve Aschburner