Nets at Raptors: Nets clinch a playoff berth with win over Toronto

The Brooklyn Nets avoided a season sweep versus the Raptors by finally defeating them to help clinch their playoff berth.

The Brooklyn Nets wanted to avoid getting swept by the Toronto Raptors for their Tuesday matchup. The Raptors beat them at the Barclays Center in the first meeting and they added to that by beating the Nets at the Amalie Arena for the second meeting. This contest started with the Raptors making their presence felt right away, and center Khem Birch had a particularly strong start. He finished his half with 10 points and 7 rebounds.

The Nets struggled to finish defensive possessions by failing to grab defensive boards and the Raptors capitalized. They grabbed nine offensive boards at the half. This how Toronto found themselves in the game before halftime as Brooklyn led 56-52 thanks to 12 points by Jeff Green.

In the second half, these teams went back and forth until the fourth quarter. But then Mike James and Kevin Durant took over. James went off for 11 points, 8 assists, and 3 rebounds in only 21 minutes and Kevin Durant hit some timely shots in the fourth to end his night with 17 points and 10 rebounds on 5-7 shooting. Jeff Green did steal the spotlight though with his big night, going for 22 points, the only Net to crack 20+ points in the game.

The Nets needed to needed win this game to guarantee clinching a playoff berth. However, both the Celtics and the Hornets lost their games on Tuesday night so this guaranteed it anyway. This also didn’t stop Brooklyn from extending their winning streak to three as they continue to build momentum.