Key Takeaways from the Brooklyn Nets' Impressive Win over the Toronto Raptors
With a 115-103 result against the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Nets won their third-consecutive game and are now over .500.
This was an impressive result for the Nets as they had contributions from everyone on the squad led by Spencer Dinwiddie’s 23 points.
The outcome was bittersweet as they fell short of advancing to the In-Season Tournament knockout stage, yet it yielded substantial positives and valuable takeaways for Jacque Vaughn’s team.
Royce O’Neale is a sniper
In this game, Royce O’Neale was the best player off the Nets’ bench. It was an impressive performance as he scored 18 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and had four assists. He even contributed on defense as he had two blocks and a steal, a well-rounded masterclass from Royce.
However, the biggest standout in his performance was his three-point shooting as he hit six out of 12 attempts.
He showcased an impressive shooting performance, a recurring trend in recent games. His signature pump-fake three stands out as one of the best moves on the roster, and such contributions will continue to improve the Nets' chances of success.
Rebounding has been superb for the Nets
Brooklyn managed to out-rebound the Raptors 46 to 31, a massive discrepancy. This was mostly due to every Nets player battling for the rebound, especially the starters. Each of the starting five secured a minimum of eight rebounds. Nic Claxton contributed eight, while Mikal Bridges led the list with 10 alongside his impressive 22 points.
Lonnie Walker cooled off a bit
Lonnie Walker IV, a strong contender for Sixth Man of the Year award, experienced a subdued performance in this game. This was a relative surprise since Walker has consistently been one of the best players on the Nets roster. However, he did not shoot much in this game because most of his teammates were waxing hot from the field.
Anticipate improved performances from Lonnie in future outings, acknowledging that occasional quiet games are inevitable. Nevertheless, he is likely to return to his customary 6MOY form in the upcoming matchups.
Up next for the Nets is a game against the Charlotte Hornets who will not have All-Star guard LaMelo Ball after he suffered a severe ankle sprain. The team has a prime chance to prolong their winning streak, yet they must remain vigilant and avoid overconfidence.