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Daily NBA Fix 4-23-14: We’re All (Almost) Even

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 22, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) reacts after being called for a foul during the second half in game two during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Washington Wizards defeats the Chicago Bulls 101-99 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) reacts after being called for a foul during the second half in game two during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Washington Wizards defeats the Chicago Bulls 101-99 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Daily NBA Fix
Apr 22, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) and center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and guard Kyle Lowry (7) come off the court after a play against the Brooklyn Nets in game two during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Brooklyn 100-95. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

TORONTO RAPTORS 100, Brooklyn Nets 95

Guess That $25K Was Worth It – Was the $25,000 fine handed down to Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri, who shouted “F**K BROOKLYN!” at a pep rally outside Air Canada Centre before Game 1, worth it after Toronto won its first playoff game since 2008 and tied the series 1-1? I would say yes. After struggling in Game 1 with just 14 points on 3-of-13 shooting, DeMar DeRozan was ready to play for Game 2 and led the Raptors with 30 points. Jonas Valanciunas finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds, Amir Johnson added 16 points and nine boards and Toronto out-rebound Brooklyn 52-30.

The game went a lot like the first one did: back-and-forth action with each team making runs that ultimately led to Brooklyn being in prime position to steal the game in the fourth quarter. But unlike last time, when Paul Pierce scored nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter and Joe Johnson dominated for most of the night, the Nets didn’t have enough in the tank down the stretch this time around. The Truth finished with seven points and six rebounds on 2-of-11 shooting (0-for-6 from downtown) despite Johnson scoring 12 of his 18 points in the third quarter.

It was the kind of all-around team effort from Toronto that has been surprising NBA fans all season long. Kyle Lowry only had 14 points, but he also made some key plays down the stretch to keep the Raps ahead while adding nine rebounds and six assists. Patrick Patterson scored 12 off the bench and Greivis Vasquez followed up with 11 points and eight assists. Even Landry Fields, who didn’t score or even take a single shot, finished with a plus/minus differential of +8 in 18 minutes.

Just like every other playoff series that started with the road team going up 1-0, this loss isn’t that devastating to the lower seed. Brooklyn came in and stole home court advantage, which this group of veterans should know is good enough for now. The Nets would really like to get something out of Pierce in the first three quarters and they’ll need to be tougher in the frontcourt against man-child Valanciunas, but they’re still in a good position to wrap things up in six if they can defend their home floor.

Series Tied, 1-1