Raptors a win away from dunking the Nets
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Any other year, the Toronto Raptors would have travelled to the unfriendly confines of Brooklyn’s Barclays Center for Friday’s Game 3.
But there’s no such thing as NBA road games in the COVID-19 era. And so when the Raptors took a 3-0 playoff series lead for the first time in history with a 117-92 victory over Brooklyn, there were no Nets fans to silence except the 300 virtual Brooklyn supporters on the giant video screens.
Pascal Siakam had 26 points and eight rebounds to top Toronto, and in the moments after the game, the Raptors spoke about the peculiarity of these playoffs in the Walt Disney World bubble.
“Being in this environment, and trying to get used to everything that’s happening, and making this kind of like home, it’s been complicated,” Siakam said. “It doesn’t feel like it’s a home game or away game. The colours change in the arena, but that’s about it. It’s just focusing on the game, and the game-plan, just coming out and executing, and doing what we want to do.”
The defending NBA champions can end the first-round series with a victory Sunday.
Fred VanVleet had 22 points, including a 52foot buzzer-beater to end the first half — reminiscent of the practice shots from halfcourt Siakam said the guard takes before every game. He shot 6-for-10 from three-point range.
VanVleet, fondly known as “Steady Freddy,” has lived up to his nickname, with 76 points and 27 three-pointers through three games.
VanVleet was asked whether he makes a mental note when he’s on a hot streak. The reporter then apologized for potentially ending said streak.
“Thanks for your apology,” VanVleet laughed. “Look, I’ve said it for four years now and when I’m not shooting well it sounds like cliche garbage, and when I am it sounds like what I should be saying, but it’s the same confidence that I always have, and the ball is just going in for me right now, so just keep trying to find my spots and keep improving.
“I’m working my butt off, I’m working in between games, and practice . . . just keep continuing to work on my offensive game and find my spots and my teammates are doing a great job of finding me.”
Siakam said the 26-year-old guard isn’t just a lethal shooter, he’s also a “big-time leader.”
Coming out of the halftime huddle, Siakam said VanVleet grabbed his teammates together quickly.
“He said, ‘Hey, they are coming out fast and hard and we’ve got to come out faster. Get ready to run with these guys because they are coming out . . .,” Siakam said. “He’s coaching that part of the game a little bit. He wants to compete and he wants to keep everybody sharp. The guy is a big-time winner, man.”
Serge Ibaka had 20 points and 13 rebounds off the bench and Kyle Lowry added 11 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Tyler Johnson scored 23 points to lead the Nets, who were playing without Joe Harris — he left the NBA bubble after Game 2 for personal reasons. Caris LeVert added 15 points.