The Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors are separated by two video games within the NBA’s second-most vital standings — the race for the perfect lottery odds that result in drafting Duke star Cooper Flagg.
Whereas their gamers are attempting to show themselves within the NBA, each groups’ administration may want to extend their lottery possibilities. These Atlantic Division rivals will get collectively twice over the ultimate three weeks of the common season, beginning Wednesday when Brooklyn hosts Toronto.
The Nets (23-49) are on the verge of their fifth 50-loss season since shifting from New Jersey in 2012. On three earlier events (2024, 2017, 2016), Brooklyn didn’t personal its first-round picks. This season the Nets possess 4 first-rounders, together with picks from the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks as a part of separate offers for Kevin Durant and Mikal Bridges.
Brooklyn is 3-15 over its previous 18 video games and enters Wednesday with the league’s sixth-worst report, which equates to a 9.7 p.c probability of successful the lottery. The Nets gained seven of 9 video games earlier than their present skid, which continued in Monday’s 120-101 residence loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Nets took their first double-digit loss since a 14-point setback March 4 at San Antonio. Their earlier eight losses have been by single digits. The Nets have been held to 17 factors within the opening quarter and by no means recovered.
Nic Claxton scored 19 factors whereas Cameron Johnson added 17 because the Nets performed with out D’Angelo Russell (sprained proper ankle), who could miss his third straight sport Wednesday.
“The strategy is similar,” Brooklyn coach Jordi Fernandez stated. “It is getting one p.c higher and exit to battle for the sport, irrespective of who’s on the market.”
Toronto (25-47) held an 8-31 report after dropping 16 in a 17-game stretch. However since a nine-point loss to the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 11, the Raptors are 17-16 of their previous 33.
Toronto, which enters with a 7.5 p.c probability on the high choose, performs the second of 4 straight video games in opposition to opponents with related data because it faces the Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers after Wednesday.
The Raptors stopped a four-game skid Monday after they earned a 112-104 win over the league-worst Washington Wizards, doing so one evening after taking a 123-89 residence loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
Jakob Poeltl and Immanuel Quickley every scored 21 factors because the Raptors gained regardless of capturing 40.6 p.c and taking part in with out RJ Barrett, who was rested. Barrett scored 18 factors Sunday, however has missed 5 of Toronto’s previous seven video games.
“It was an vital sport for us,” Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic stated. “We performed with low power (Sunday) evening again residence in Toronto. It was vital for us to get again to taking part in to our id.”
Poeltl has not performed consecutive video games since taking part in 4 straight Feb. 26 to March 4, however he is capturing 70.1 p.c (61 of 87) over his previous 9 appearances. His newest efficient sport occurred because the Raptors continued taking appears at kids Jonathan Mogbo, A.J. Lawson and Jamison Battle.
Battle was within the beginning lineup Monday and performed 27 minutes in his fifth profession begin. Mogbo, one other rookie, grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds in 24 minutes whereas Lawson produced eight factors in 23 minutes.
–Area Stage Media