B’KLYN ON THE BRINK!
Nets’ playoff hopes take a hit with loss to Raptors RAPTORS 115 NETS 105
The Nets have a problem.
Struggling against their gauntlet schedule to close the season – with the latest defeat being Wednesday at home to the Raptors, 115-105 — Brooklyn’s playoff hopes are treading on perilous.
Technically, the Nets (39-40) still control their destiny. But before all the night’s results were tallied, they were tied for eighth place with the Magic.
It could very well come down to Brooklyn’s season finale against the Heat, which, coincidentally, may also be Dwyane Wade’s final game. It’ll be tough to beat Wade under those circumstances.
Once again Wednesday, the Nets were overmatched by a superior and physically stronger opponent. Kawhi Leonard punished them with 26 points and nine boards. In a battle between the frontrunners for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, Pascal Siakam (28 points, 10 re
bounds) outdid an inefficient D’Angelo Russell (27 points, 11-for-25 shooting).
“They’re a better team,” coach Kenny Atkinson. “We have to be perfect and we were average. That’s not going to get it done.”
Brooklyn has dropped seven of its last 10 games, with its three games remaining being at Milwaukee, at Indiana and against Miami. Against the Raptors — who boast Leonard, Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol — the Nets were predictably outmuscled the older, stronger opponent.
Atkinson knew that’d be a problem.
“You have to compete with them physically, the coach said. “I think they are a experienced, athletic, strong team. I think competing with them from a physical standpoint is huge.
“It’s a heck of a matchup issue for us. We’ve faced it before, we’ve faced it with other teams. I think the more aggressive team has the advantage.”
The Nets weren’t up to the task Wednesday. Now they have to be better moving forward.
“Obviously (the Raptors) are a great team,” Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie said. “They have (Siakam). They’ve got one of the best two-way players in the game (Leonard). They have a multiple-time All-Star at the 1 (Kyle Lowry). They have a multiple-time All-Star and a former Defensive Player of the Year in Marc Gasol. You look at them top to bottom they’re a very quality ball club and be ready to go. This isn’t a game we can make a plethora of mistakes.”