BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- When asked how the Nets can get out of this slump, Joe Johnson answered with three simple words: "I don't know."
Nobody does.
The Nets are giving fans very few reasons to make a visit to the Barclays Center. They sent them home unhappy for the eighth straight time, the worst it's been since dropping 14 in a row during the forgettable 70-loss season following a 91-74 loss to the Toronto Raptors.
If there's any indications that the Nets-Raptors rivalry is long dead, Wednesday night was it.
The first half was as ugly as ugly gets. Both teams struggled to put the ball in the hole, but mostly the Nets who shot 38 percent and scored a total of 36 points in the half.
The Raptors got it together towards the end of the half and went on a 14-2 run to eventually take a nine-point lead into half time. They went up by as much as 14 in the third, then 18 in the fourth quarter. This game was over early for the Nets, despite a 4-of-22 three-point shooting night from Toronto. The Nets were 5-of-16from three and 40 percent overall. They also committed 18 turnovers to 18 assists.
It was an absolute nightmare. Brook Lopez (24 points, 13 rebounds & three blocks), Bojan Bogdanovic (12 points) and Thaddeus Young (11 points, seven rebounds) were the only three players to finish within double digits.
How bad was it?
- After two consecutive 20-point games, Joe Johnson scored five points on 2-of-7 shooting. Despite a left quad contusion, Joe still played 32 minutes.
- Thaddeus Young, who's finished with 10 double-doubles in his last 15 games, shot a poor 5-of-13 from the floor and finished with 11 & 7.
- Shane Larkin and Donald Sloan, the new Brooklyn point guards, combined for only eight assists. Will the Nets fix this problem? Probably not.
Shall I keep going? The bench made matters worse with only 13 points on 5-of-19 shooting.
Meanwhile, Jonas Valanciunas led Toronto with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Kyle Lowry chipped in 17 points and DeMar DeRozan 15 points.
It doesn't get much worse than this folks. The Nets, at 10-25 -- who don't own a draft pick -- are showing no signs of improvement nor any signs of change in any aspect. Not to mention, they're now 6-12 at home. We'll see if they make it 6-13 this Friday vs. Orlando.
"There's a lot of stuff we have to tweak," Thaddeus Young said after the loss, despite holding the Raptors to 91 points. "Right now we're just out of sync."
For post-game audio/quotes, check out the LISTEN UP! feature.
At least we had this:
For more on the Toronto Raptors, check them out at Raptors HQ.
- Toronto Raptors vs Brooklyn Nets - Box Score - NBA.com
- Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets - Box Score - ESPN
- Game Thread: Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors, 7:30 PM - NetsDaily
- 2nd Half Game Thread: Raptors at Nets - NetsDaily
- Raptors hand Nets 8th straight home loss, 91-74 - Brian Mahoney - AP
- Lopez's Circus Finish (Video) - NBA.com
- Valanciunas Posterizes Young (Video) - NBA.com
- Spin And Win (Video) - NBA.com
- And-One Opportunity (Video) - NBA.com
- Brook Lopez throws down the slam dunk (Video) - NBA.com
- Brook Lopez hits the hook shot and draws the foul. (Video) - NBA.com
- Bogdanovic Spins and Delivers (Video) - NBA.com
- Shane Larkin buries a three from the top of the key (Video) - NBA.com
- Thaddeus Young hits the floater over the defender (Video) - NBA.com
- Lionel Hollins disappointed with missed shots (Video) - YES Network
- Lionel Hollins on Nets adjustments, facing Raptors (Video) - YES Network
- Lopez on starting, battling, and finishing games (Video) - YES Network
- Johnson speaks after the Nets loss to the Raptors (Video) - YES Network
- Toronto Raptors try to overcome setback of losing DeMarre Carroll - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN
- Brook Lopez’s 24 points not enough for Nets vs. Raptors - Laura Albanese - Newsday
- Nets’ Shane Larkin struggles to adjust to starting role - Laura Albanese - Newsday
- Offense sputters as free-falling Nets hammered by Raptors - Brian Lewis - New York Post
- Nets covet DeMar DeRozan, who plans Raptors opt-out | New York Post
- Opinion: With Jarrett Jack Down, Nets Have Few Options At Point Guard - Steve Lichtenstein - CBS New York
- Nets fall to Raptors in ugly fashion in 91-74 loss - Scott Chiusano - New York Daily News
- Nets crushed by Raptors, 91-74 - Andy Vasquez - The Record
- Nets notes: Former coach ripped - Andy Vasquez - The Record
- Never gets old watching the Nets’ Thaddeus Young - Andy Vasquez - The Record
- Nets lose a snoozer to the Raptors, fall 91-74 (Game Grades) - Benny Nadeau - The Brooklyn Game
- Nets ‘dominated’ by Raptors in lopsided loss - Gregory Hrinya - Examiner.com
- Raptors rebound against lowly Nets - Ryan Wolstat - Toronto Sun