TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors have been cruising alongside, main by as many as 10 factors, when their offence floor to a halt.
Cam Johnson went on a 13-4 run within the closing 2:24 of the sport because the Brooklyn Nets rallied previous the Raptors 101-94 on Thursday for Toronto’s sixth straight loss. Johnson had 15 factors within the quarter, simply three fewer than the Raptors scored as a group over the 12-minute interval.
“We simply gave up extra factors than each different quarter,” mentioned Scottie Barnes, who had two factors, two turnovers and three private fouls within the fourth. “That’s the quarter that we actually have to lock in, get stops.
“We put (Johnson) to the free-throw line about eight instances on the finish of the sport, however that’s 1 / 4 you’ve simply acquired to lock in and get stops and never be capable of foul. You’ve acquired to simply keep stable.”
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Johnson completed with a game-high 33 factors and 10 rebounds with six assists as Brooklyn (11-16) ended a three-game skid. Ben Simmons added 12 factors, seven assists, and 5 rebounds.
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Barnes had 16 factors, six assists and three rebounds for Toronto (7-21) in his first sport again since struggling a sprained proper ankle. Barnes was inactive for 10 days however solely missed two video games after what appeared like a extreme harm healed comparatively rapidly.
“It felt unhealthy at first, but it surely feels nice now,” mentioned Barnes. “No drawback with that.”
Barnes wasn’t ache free, nevertheless. He caught a pointy elbow to his hip in Thursday’s sport, which he mentioned was nonetheless sore an hour after the sport ended.
Ochai Agbaji had 20 factors on 4 for 8 three-point taking pictures for the Raptors, and Gradey Dick added 19 factors on 4 for 8 three-point makes an attempt.
Rookies Ja’Kobe Walter and Jonathan Mogbo began for the Raptors, bringing the typical age of the lineup all the way down to 22 years 187 days, the youngest in franchise historical past.
“At all times a studying course of when there’s a younger group on the market, however I like taking part in on the market with a bunch of younger guys,” mentioned Agbaji, who at 24 was the oldest Raptors starter. “At all times have that power and form of that further form of chip in your shoulder being a youthful group.”
The youth motion was vital with swingman RJ Barrett (sickness) of Mississauga, Ont., and backup guard Davion Mitchell (strained proper shoulder) out.
Brooklyn centre Nic Claxton was kicked out of the sport 3:14 into the second quarter after throwing a ball into the stands after he was fouled by Raptors ahead Kelly Olynyk.
Claxton was main the Nets with seven factors and 5 rebounds on the time of the technical foul and threatened to throw a seat cushion onto the ground after he was ejected.
“He is aware of he needs to be higher, particularly this one,” mentioned Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez. “You’ve acquired to manage your frustrations, that’s no motive to do this. I perceive that all of us have feelings however the group wants him, his teammates want him.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Dec. 19, 2024.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
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