Nets lose fifth straight despite Caris LeVert’s return

Brooklyn played well for a while, but the Toronto Raptors ultimately outlasted the Nets at Barclays Center on Saturday.

Caris LeVert made his first appearance for the Brooklyn Nets in over a month and a half on Saturday, coming off the bench against the Toronto Raptors. He missed so much time after he had surgery to repair damaged ligaments in his right thumb.

The third-year shooting guard scored 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting (2-for-2 from 3-point territory). But LeVert’s 15-minute effort wasn’t enough to help the Nets get past the Raptors, who went on to win 121-102 at Barclays Center.

The Nets have now lost five games in a row. Two of Brooklyn’s losses during the stretch have come at Barclays Center.

The Nets last won on December 21 at home against the Atlanta Hawks — who have the worst record in the NBA.

Spencer Dinwiddie led the Nets with 23 points on 6-for-12 shooting (2-for-5 from three). He also had seven assists.

Joe Harris knocked down 3 of his 5 three-point attempts in 18-point performance. He also had five assists.

Garrett Temple’s efficiency from long range improved after he got a day off on Thursday due to a right knee contusion. He went 3-for-8 from deep and scored 12 points.

Jarrett Allen was back in the starting lineup after DeAndre Jordan got the nod in Dallas. Allen only scored seven points and had five rebounds. Jordan scored six and had eight boards.

Taurean Prince scored 10 points, but he continues to be up-and-down from 3-point territory. Saturday was one of those down nights, in which Prince went 2-for-8 from deep.

RELATED: Kyrie Irving receives cortisone shot with hope of avoiding surgery