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Preaseason game 3: Raptors destroy Nets in Montreal, 118-91

The Nets are 1-2 in the preseason

By Anthony Puccio
NBA: Preseason-Brooklyn Nets at Toronto Raptors Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets would have won if there was only one half in a game. That obviously isn’t the case. They surrendered 35 points to the Toronto Raptors in the third quarter, countering with only 11. And so they lost, 118-91, Wednesday night at Centre Bell in Montreal.

The Nets jumped out on another good start. They led by three at half behind the likes of D’Angelo Russell and Caris LeVert, both who have been impressive in the backcourt this preseason.

Then, the Raptors turned on the jets (and the defensive energy) after Kyle Lowry was ejected in the third quarter. They out-scored the Nets 35-11 and took a 21-point lead entering the fourth. It felt like the Nets turned the ball over on every other possession. And since the box scores were down, we’re forced to refer to what Ryan Ruocco said on the YES telecast: The Nets had 21 turnovers with 5+ minutes left in the third quarter.

“We played one good quarter, and it’s not good enough in this league,” Kenny Atkinson said, referring to the first quarter. “You’ve got to compete for longer periods. I was disappointed. … That’s the first time all training camp I was disappointed in the way we competed, especially defensively, and I just can’t accept that.”

It was ugly and that’s being kind. But hey, preseason... right?

LeVert and Russell were pretty quiet in the second half, but Jarrett Allen was a bright spot for the team. He finished the night with 24 points, three rebounds, a block, a three-pointer, an assist and two steals. Russell went for 18 points, seven rebounds but only a single assist and was responsible for seven of the Nets 33 turnovers. LeVert had five turnovers —14 in three games— to go with 13 points, four rebounds and three assists. The team had three players with five or more giveaways: Russell, LeVert and Rodions Kurucs.

The Nets were coming off a 110-108 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons on Monday. Russell, LeVert and Allen all played 30 minutes in that that game. That wasn’t the case on Wednesday as Kenny Atkinson tried a number of lineups. The Nets were still without Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Shabazz Napier and Atkinson rested Ed Davis and DeMarre Carroll while starting Jared Dudley.

NEW GUYS

  • Kenneth Faried played in place of Ed Davis and certainly had some rust returning to game action. Coming off a minor ankle injury, Faried entered the game and got denied by the rim on an open alley-oop attempt. He hustles, rebounds and enables the Nets to play small. We’ll see how much we see him this season.
  • Rodions Kurucs had an efficient few minutes in the first half, but turnovers plagued his night. He was called for two travel violations when he was in a catch-and-shoot situation.
  • Same for Dzanan Musa. He looked his age tonight. He did, however, have a nice highlight.

HIGHLIGHTS

Caris’ cookies:

FRO-DOWN:

Skywalkin’

ATKINSON NOT PLEASED WITH RAPTORS’ ANTICS

Down 25 with less than two seconds remaining, Jordan Lloyd pushed a fastbreak with virtually nobody covering him and slammed home an emphatic dunk that riled up the crowd... and Kenny Atkinson.

Atkinson didn’t take exception to the dunk typically deemed disrespectful in moments like that. However, it just seemed like a moment of aggravation for Atkinson, whose team was just blown out. The dunk was the icing on the cake.

Jared Dudley even grabbed Lloyd to give him a veterans talk.

DWANE CASEY PRAISES DLO

Following Brooklyn’s 110-108 preseason (OT) victory against the Detroit Pistons on Monday, Dwane Casey said some nice things about D’Angelo Russell’s offensive prowess, calling him a “Big-time scorer.” Russell scored 25 points and hit five 3-pointers.

“D’Angelo Russell is a premier point guard, he’s a big-time scorer, and I thought (Brown) gave him all he wanted,” said Casey. “(Russell) made some tough shots, especially down the stretch...”

***

More than a half hour after the game ended, the NBA had still not posted final statistics.

For a different perspective, check out our sister site over at RaptorsHQ.

The Nets will face off against the New York Knicks on Friday for their fourth and final preseason game. The regular season starts in exactly one week to today!

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