Joe Netsfan Game x Game 77 - Nets 99, Raptors 90

Locked down in the fourth

Nets 99, Raptors 90
Game 77 File
The Nets get the best of the Raptors behind Vince Carter's 32 points, and some good end-game defense. A hot start for New Jersey fizzled some after halftime, but the Nets got on Carter's back to lock down the Raps and hold off playoff elimination for another day.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 32 - 45
Home Record: 20 - 20
Away Record: 12 - 25
Division Record: 4 - 10
Conf. Record: 24 - 23
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Vince Carter, 32.
• Assists: Devin Harris, 7.
• Rebounds: Vince Carter, 7.
• Steals: Jefferson and Carter each had 2.
• Turnovers: Jefferson and Harris each had 3.
• Blocks: Boone, Carter, Nachbar and Sean Williams each had 1.
• FG Percentage: Stromile Swift, 71.4% (5 - 7).

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 47.5%
• FT Percentage: 93.8%
• Rebounds: 42
• Rebound Differential: +4
• Turnovers: 12
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 11
• Bench points: 23
• Bench points Differential:+10
• Steals: 7
• Blocks: 4
• Points in the Paint: 42
• Double-Doubles: 0
• Triple-Doubles: 0

The (No) Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 4
• Nets Fast Break Points: 17
•Devin Harris' FG Percentage: 57.1% (4 - 7)
• Scoring Differential Harris in the game: +4
• Scoring Differential Harris out: +5 (M. Williams)

Nets Media
Bergen Record | Nets
Newark Star-Ledger | Nets
Newsday | Nets
NY Daily News | NBA
NY Post | Nets
NY Times | Pro Basketball
YES Network | Nets

Nets Team Pages
CNNSI.com | Nets
ESPN.com | Nets
FoxSports | Nets
NBA.com | Nets
Sportsline.com | Nets

Raptors Media:
Toronto Star
Toronto Sun | Raptors

Game 77: Nets 99, Raptors 90 – April 5 , 2008
Dinotopia
One night after looking like the dead, the Nets woke up, and finding Vince Carter ready to suit up against his ex-team the Raptors, buried the Raptors with a fourth quarter lock down. Oh, it was utopia for Netsfans starved for even a hint of a good win, and though the hopes for a playoff berth are down to two games (any combo of Net losses or Hawk wins), it's good to finally see it and believe it, if only for a night.

It was something of a surprise to see Vince Carter in the opening warmups, given the ankle woes and the shutdown the night before. But VC must have been motivated by seeing the Raptors on his home floor, and pride took over. Even though VC got off to a somewhat slow start, the Nets were cooking early, looking more like the playoff-bound than the Raptors. Another big first quarter (33 points) was keyed by Devin Harris and Richard Jefferson, and a nice lift from Stromile Swift. Looking nothing like the patsies from the evening before, the Nets got the lead up 10 in the first quarter before the Raptors took advantage of the Nets second teamers to make a game of it. The one downside - the Nets could not contain Rasho Nesterovic, who burned them for 16 first half points inside, but after the Raptors got to within two midway through the second, the Nets found another gear and with Devin Harris and Richard Jefferson scoring the Nets last 14 points, it was an eight point lead at the half.

An immediate 11 - 4 run to start the third quarter got the Raptors to within a point, and Netsfans thinking same-old, same-old. But Carter was just getting warmed up. It stayed close the rest of the third quarter, with Jefferson and Carter trying to outdo Chris Bosh and TJ Ford, but after the Raptors finally made a stand and took a lead at 70 - 69 with just over 4 minutes remaining in the third, Carter switched to another gear entirely. VC scored the last 7 Net points of the quarter, on a nice dunk, a stepback three and two free throws to give the Nets a two point cushion after three.

Figuring the Raptors were about to get serious after botching yet another game thus far (the Rapts had lost 10 of 14 coming in), Netsfans braced themselves for the worst (especially defensively). But Carter was not to be denied, scoring 8 of the Nets first 10 points while the defense was finally locking down, giving the Nets another eight point lead. Marcus Williams then banged home a three, the lead was 11, and with the offense flowing and the defense finally kicking in, the Nets could handle one last Raptor run, getting it down to seven, before Jefferson nailed a jumper and Swift slammed home a jam to ice things.

The Nets did a fine job handling a playoff bound team (Ok, they're not the Pistons), while keeping this offensive surge going. Having Vince Carter sure helped a lot, and for a change, no one can accuse Vince of tanking it. Of course, had he played this way from the start, things might be different entirely. But, that's water under the bridge, and to be discussed in the likely long off-season to follow.

Boneyard
Digging The Dinos - Vince Carter was able to drown out the first half shouts of a few randy Canadians from across the border to carry the Nets to this win. Playing like a man possessed despite the bad ankle, VC had 11 points in the first half, but 9 in the third, and 12 in the fourth to complete a 32 point, 7 rebound, 5 assist evening. Carter carried the Nets in the fourth, scoring in a variety of ways and never once looking like he was out of breath or looking for a break. L. Frank must have wanted this win, because Carter played a whopping 45 minutes. One overlooked feature in Carter's run of late - he's been the leading rebounder, or close to it, in all of the games, a task he appeared more than happy to cede to the likes of Jason Kidd or Jason Collins (just kidding). Carter cannot be accused of not playing hard or lacking leadership, and he seems to be using this disappointing end to this disappointing season to get this team to look at him as a leader. Well done, Vince. And thanks for shutting up those few obnoxious Canadians.
Remains - Where did the Nets defense come from tonight? It was far from perfect, but also the best effort in a long time, especially at the end game, where the Nets used to amp it up and shut it down. The league's best three point shooters shot only 3 - 22 from behind the line (Anthony Parker, fourth best, was only 1 -8), and the Nets did a good job holding a lackadaisical Chris Bosh to 4 - 10 shooting and 18 points. The one huge negative was the play of Rasho Nesterovic, who won't be confused with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar any time soon, but lit up the Nets interior to the tune of 16 first half points. They did a much better job on him in the second half, holding him to 6, as Josh Boone didn't return in the second half (we found out later he has a bit of a knee injury, or sprain).
Medium Three - Along with Carter, Richard Jefferson and Devin Harris had strong games as well, giving the Nets a medium three to count on. RJ looked much better tonight, and he was a big part of the offense in the first half while playing manic defense. Harris played a strong game while under control, and seemed to know the times to attack and the times to pull back. If the Nets can get any sort of help on the bench next year, a starting five of Harris, Carter, Jefferson, Boone and Krstic might not be so bad...
Ay-Yi-Yi-Izod - Wow, the parking situation at the Izod was really bad tonight. Along with the Nets game, and the infinite construction projects, a Red Bulls game, plus the race track were all in session, and with so much of the parking lots unavailable around the complex, it was a head-spinning drive up, around and through just to get to a parking spot. For the luxury of paying $12, you get to park closer to Giants Stadium than the Izod, get bussed across, and then start your night. I can only imagine the parking woes and traffic once the great white elephant called Xanadu opens next winter or fall or whenever it actually opens...Until this situation is made better, I think I'll sit out next season.
The Carnival - OK, so by now you've figured out that Joe was at the Izod tonight, for one last look at the team before the season's end. Thoroughly conflicted as to even attend given the state of the Nets and the opponent coming in, with the real possibility that Carter would be sitting it out again, Joe was pleasantly surprised by the play on the court with Carter in the lineup. And it was both Kids Night and Mini-Sly's first birthday party, so how could you go wrong? And Joe's son got to be part of the halftime entertainment, plucked from the crowd to participate in a game of musical chairs with the various visiting mini-mascots from other teams, plus some other lucky kids, all for the prize of an XBox 360. Well, he didn't win the prize, but he had a helluva time being on the court and getting his moment in the sun, so to speak. So on that note it was a hugely successful night (of course, the kid should have gotten a consolation prize, but that's just quibbling, I guess). The Nets did a nice job with the entire evening (seemingly giving away an Ipod to a deserving kid every time out) and Joe's kids had a great time.

Back From Extinction
For one night, anyway...the Nets looked more like the Nets of old for a night, defending and running a crisp offense in the same night, and getting a vintage performance from Vince Carter and plenty of help from the likes of Richard Jefferson, Devin Harris, Stromile Swift and Marcus Williams. After a very lackadaisical night in Detroit, the Nets stepped up their effort (and found a very willing opponent in the Raptors) and did the things they didn't do (and haven't done with consistency), like play good defense, keep the ball moving and spread the offense, and watch as Carter carried them in the second half. The playoffs are still a vague memory, as it's likely the Nets will miss out for the first time in seven years, but at least they can put together a good effort and make us remember what once was, and what could be to come next season.
- Joe