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Daily NBA Fix 4-20-14: Road, Sweet Road And Panic Time For Pacers

By Phil Watson

Apr 19, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Luis Scola (4) questions a referee
Apr 19, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Luis Scola (4) questions a referee /
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Apr 19, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Brooklyn Nets forward Paul Pierce (34) makes a move to the basket as Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) defends in game one during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Nets beat the Raptors 94-87. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Brooklyn Nets forward Paul Pierce (34) makes a move to the basket as Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) defends in game one during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Nets beat the Raptors 94-87. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Brooklyn Nets 94, TORONTO RAPTORS 87
Game 1, Eastern Conference First Round
The Nets experience came to the forefront in Game 1 at Air Canada Centre, with Paul Pierce scoring nine points in the fourth quarter as Brooklyn held off the Raptors to steal home-court advantage.

Joe Johnson gave Toronto fits, scoring 24 points to go with eight rebounds and four assists as playoff newcomer DeMar DeRozan struggled, going 3-for-13 with 14 points in his postseason debut.

The Nets led 29-21 after one quarter as Deron Williams looked to score … and he did, to the tune of 18 points in the first half as Brooklyn took a 50-46 lead. Williams finished with 24 points and Pierce had 15.

Jonas Valanciunas did his part for the Raptors, going for 17 points and 18 rebounds—becoming just the second Raptor to record a double-double in his playoff debut, and setting a franchise single-game playoff record for rebounds, topping the 16 grabbed by Keon Clark against the Pistons in 2002. Kyle Lowry led the Raptors with 22 points and had eight assists.

Game Ball To: Johnson, who was 8-for-13 from the floor and 8-for-8 from the line in his 45 minutes.

Nets lead series 1-0