Nets (7-19) at Raptors (19-8): Preview

Following a dominating performance in Orlando, the Raptors meet the Brooklyn Nets. Let’s hope our team doesn’t take this shabby yet hard-working group lightly.

The last home game before a lengthy road trip pits the Toronto Raptors against a sad collection known as the Brooklyn Nets. I’ve been doing this awhile, and I can’t remember a team facing as steep an uphill climb towards respectability as this one does. Even the bumbling Philadelphia 76ers have had the draft in their corner. Brooklyn is broke.

Their GM is ex-Raptor (well, not much more than a cup of coffee) Sean Marks, a New Zealander who learned from the masters in San Antonio prior to landing this thankless gig. He’s staying upbeat, and his team’s record is actually better than I thought it would be. Their coach is a rookie, David Atkinson, who seems to have his group hustling, if nothing else.

One final note: the Nets are paying seven(!) waived players, plus an amnestied player and a stretched one (Deron Williams, who’s having a bounceback season in Dallas). I’ve never seen anything close to that degree of dead money.

3 keys to Raptors victory

Dec 16, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Anthony Bennett (13) reacts after he made a three pointer against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Conclusion & Final Score

As long as a few of their long-range shooters don’t get hot, this game should be over by the fourth quarter.

Raptors 126 – Nets 103