After an inspiring win on Tuesday, Brooklyn wanted to replicate the same result against the Toronto Raptors in the second half of a back-to-back. This time though, Steve Nash stressed how he wanted his squad to get out to a better start, since the Nets trailed the Pelicans significantly in the first quarter of that game. Of course, his team fulfilled his wishes and the Nets led by as many as 13 in the first half.
A big part of this start was thanks to Joe Harris, who went 4-4 from downtown in the first quarter alone. He ended the half with 12 points, as well did Kyrie Irving. Blake Griffin was up to 8 points while Bruce Brown had a near double-double with 9 points and 9 rebounds. This was enough to get a 58-56 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Raptors matched the Nets’ energy to start. They just couldn’t miss from downtown and they pushed themselves to a 18-point lead. It was a big hole for Brooklyn to climb out of and it took until the final minutes of the fourth quarter for Nash’s squad to get it to a two possession game.
Ain't over yet! pic.twitter.com/TGMeA333W4
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 22, 2021
The run that was led by Kyrie Irving (28 PTS, 11 REBS, 8 ASTS) and Bruce Brown (21 PTS, 14 REBS) fell just short and the Raptors picked up their second straight win on the Nets this season, 114-103.