NBA: Nets start, finish strong to down Raptors

Michael Porter Jr. recorded 24 points and 11 rebounds as the Brooklyn Nets held off a late rally by the visiting Toronto Raptors for a 96–81 victory on Sunday.

Noah Clowney added 19 points, while Egor Demin scored 16 for Brooklyn, which has won two of its last three games after snapping a five-game losing streak against Toronto. Nic Claxton contributed 12 points for the Nets.

Brandon Ingram led the Raptors with 19 points in the opener of a three-game road trip. Immanuel Quickley posted 17 points and 10 assists, but Toronto dropped its second straight game. Scottie Barnes was limited to six points.

Brooklyn carried a two-point lead into the fourth quarter after being up by as many as 13 late in the third. Toronto opened the final period with four straight points to briefly move ahead.

The Nets responded with a strong defensive stand. Demin knocked down a 3-pointer to give Brooklyn a 79–73 advantage with 7:55 remaining. After a Toronto turnover, Clowney hit another 3 to push the lead to nine. Claxton’s dunk extended the margin to 13 with 4:42 left, effectively sealing the win.

Brooklyn took a 24–18 lead after a physical first quarter that featured 13 combined turnovers, including seven by the Raptors. Toronto showed energy early in the second quarter, opening with a 13–2 run to go up by five, but the Nets answered with five straight points to tie the game at 31.

Toronto center Jakob Poeltl finished with two points and two rebounds in 6:36 of action before exiting in the first quarter due to a recurring back issue. He did not return.

Claxton briefly left the game in the second quarter after taking an elbow to the face but returned after halftime wearing a bandage over his eye.

The Nets closed the first half with a 13–3 run to take a 49–39 lead in a defense-dominated opening half.

Brooklyn’s lead grew to 15 points in the third quarter before Toronto cut it to 10 on Ja’Kobe Walter’s dunk with six minutes remaining. Zaire Williams restored a 13-point cushion by converting two free throws with 1:47 left. Toronto answered with an 11–0 surge to trim the Nets’ lead to 67–65 heading into the fourth quarter, but Brooklyn pulled away late to secure the win.

-Field Level Media/Reuters