And with that, we’re done.
The 2019 NBA Preseason is officially over, ending Friday night as theBrooklyn Netslost to theToronto Raptorsat home, 123 – 107.
This was ugly. Brooklyn shot just 38 percent from the floor on the evening, while allowing the Raptors to make 24 threes, on 51. 1 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
Toronto was led byOG AnunobyandFred VanVleet, who combined to score 34 points in three quarters.Kyle Lowryplayed 25 minutes, in his first preseason game, scoring 9 points on 3-of – 12 shooting.
Toronto scored 101 points through the first three quarters. I mean, c’mon.
Brooklyn finishes the preseason with a 3-1 record, ready to kick off the 19 – 20 season on Wednesday at Barclays Center against theMinnesota Timberwolves.
Kyrie Irvingstarted the game, after having missed all but a minute-plus of action in China against theLakers.Irvingplayed just 24 minutes,finishing with 19 pointsand 4 assists.
Here was Kyrie’s first basket as a member of the Nets.
The first half was all about three-pointers. Toronto went 14 – of – 24 (58 .3%) from beyond the arc in the first half, while the Nets shot just 6-of – 21 (28 .6%). Needless to say, the Raptors carried a 21 – point lead into halftime, 74 – 53.
Irving had 9 first-half points, while four Raptors scored in double figures in the first half led byOG Anunoby‘s 15 points.
The Nets chipped away in the third quarter … for likeTwo minutes… maybe three minutes, tops, before the Raptors were like, “wait, let’s make more threes, yeah?” Yeah.
Brooklyn’s defense was bad, their offense was stale. Six Nets scored in double figures, led by Irving’s 19 points, withSpencer Dinwiddiechipping in for 13 points andJarrett Allendropping 12 points in (minutes.)
Final score, 123 – 107.
Kenny Atkinson was realistic about the Nets rhythm after the pressure-filled trip to China and Irving’s injury.
“In a perfect world, no, I would love for it to just snap together like that, ”Atkinson said. “But it’s a little bad luck with Ky [Irving] getting knocked in the face. Just bad luck. There’s nothing you can do about it, and that’s part of it. We’re going to have to use some real games to figure out permanent rotations. So, sure, I think it’ll take some time. ”
Hey, silver lining? This game didn’t count. On Wednesday, though, it does.
For more on the Raptors, check outRaptors HQ.
KYRIE’S KICKS
CARIS LEVERT WITH THE OL ‘UP-AND-UNDER
(PRO-DEMOCRACY “STAND WITH HONG KONG” PROTESTS)
A host of fans in Barclays Center for the# Netspreseason finale wearing shirts saying Stand With Hong Kong. It’s been peaceful and nobody has been ejected. Interesting to see how this plays out. Clearly this issue is following the# NBAback from China and coming stateside.pic.twitter.com/KRrSOTJGQg
– Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis)October 19, 2019
1. Producer and activist Andrew Duncan bought 300 tickets to tonight’s Nets vs Raptors game and is hosting hundreds of Chinese pro-Democracy activists to protest the NBA.
They’re all wearing “Stand With Hong Kong” t-shirtspic.twitter.com/pIcUwSLaPB
– Yashar Ali (@yashar) (October) , 2019
Meanwhile, Irving said he’ll have something to say about the NBA and China.
“I stand for four pillars: inner peace, freedom, equality and world peace,” Irving told reporters. “So if that’s being conflicted inside of me then I’m definitely going to have something to say.”
Stay tuned.
- Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors Box Score–NBA.com
- [Video] Kyrie Irving scores his first basket as a Nets–NBA.com
- [Video] Spencer Dinwiddie hits three and gets the foul in the third quarter–NBA.com
- [Video] Kyrie Irving gets the floater to fall in the first quarter–NBA.com
- Nets show toll of China trip is sluggish loss to end preseason– Brian Lewis – New York Post
- Protestors at Barclays Wear ‘Stand With Hong Kong’ Shirts– Brian Lewis, New York Post
- Irving makes home debut, scores 19 in Nets’ preseason finale– Greg Logan – Newsday
- Nets ‘dress rehearsal’ against Raptors shows lots of rust– Kristian Winfield – New York Daily News
- The era of NBA players lying about their heights has come to an end– Dennis Young – New York Daily News
- Kyrie Irving finally spoke on China– Kristian Winfield – New York Daily News
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