In a thrilling matchup on Sunday, the Toronto Raptors reversed their recent fortunes with a rewarding 120-109 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Newcomer Jonathan Mogbo was outstanding, matching his career bests with an impressive 17 points and 11 rebounds. His performance wasn’t just about scoring, though; he also delivered a season-high seven assists, showcasing his versatility on the court. In what was a welcome change for the Raptors, who ended a three-game losing streak, Ochai Agbaji chipped in 15 points. Meanwhile, RJ Barrett and AJ Lawson contributed 13 points each, with Cole Swider and Jamison Battle adding 12 each. Jared Rhoden notched 10, while Jamal Shead delivered a career-high 12 assists along with nine points.
Toronto mixed things up with their 40th different starting lineup of the season, but it paid off. Over on the Nets’ side, Reece Beekman led with 14 points, aiding his team with five assists and three steals. Keon Johnson put in a strong effort with 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Dariq Whitehead, Trendon Watford, Drew Timme, and Maxwell Lewis each also tallied 13 points. Tosan Evbuomwan added 12 points, and Ziaire Williams scored 11.
In the first half, Jamison Battle was on fire, scoring all his points, whereas Mogbo came alive in the second half, adding 11 more to Toronto’s tally.
Takeaways:
For the Raptors, this game was more than just a win; it marked their domination in the season series against the Nets, taking it 3-1 for the first time since the 2020-21 season. Although they’re out of the playoff race, finishing off strong against Brooklyn is a silver lining as the season winds down.
As for the Nets, this defeat was another bump in a challenging homestand, where they’ve started with two straight losses. Their season is unfortunately concluding on a rough note, dropping eight of their last ten games.
Key Moment:
A pivotal moment arrived when after Brooklyn equalized at 35, Battle stepped up with a three-pointer, giving Toronto a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The Raptors sprinted to a fantastic 26-11 run to close the second quarter, extending their control to lead 61-46 by halftime. Their dominance continued into the third quarter, widening the gap with an early 12-2 run.
Key Stat:
Toronto was a defensive powerhouse, achieving a season-high of 16 steals and forcing Brooklyn into 23 turnovers, which translated to 22 points for the Raptors.
Up Next:
Looking ahead, the Raptors will face Charlotte on Wednesday night, marking their last game at home for the season. Meanwhile, the Nets will aim to bounce back as they continue their homestand on Tuesday night against New Orleans.
