Caris LeVert returns for Nets, but it's not enough in loss to Raptors
(L-R) Caris LeVert #22, DeAndre Jordan #6 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Nets look on late during the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Caris LeVert’s return wasn’t enough to solve the Nets’ late-game woes. Not by a long shot.
Hours after Kyrie Irving revealed the serious nature of his shoulder injury, the Nets suffered yet another blow: a second-half meltdown, their fifth loss in a row and their sixth in seven games.
This one came at the hands of the Raptors, who thoroughly dominated down the stretch for a 121-102 win at Barclays Center.
The Nets, who led by 16 points in the second quarter, committed 24 turnovers that produced 32 points and were outscored by 16 in the fourth quarter.
“We’ve got to figure out why fourth quarters have really been a thorn in our side again and again,” coach Kenny Atkinson said. “We competed for three quarters of the game . . . I’ve seen that film before recently, so we’ve got to figure it out.’’
LeVert, who missed 24 games after undergoing thumb surgery, was on a minutes restriction, but after two quarters, he looked relatively acclimated to regular play. He scored 13 points in 15 minutes and was about the only bright spot for the Nets.
Fred VanVleet had 29 points and 11 assists for Toronto. Kyle Lowry scored 26 points and Serge Ibaka added 21 points and 12 rebounds. Spencer Dinwiddie had 23 points and Joe Harris added 18 for the Nets.
Caris LeVert #22 of the Nets drives against Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter at Barclays Center on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020. Credit: Jim McIsaac
“I’m not making excuses for our guys because a lot of it was on them, but [the Raptors] forced us into 24 turnovers,” Atkinson said. “That’s what they do. They turn you over . . . We could not handle their swarming defense.”
The Raptors scored the last 12 points of the second quarter, and OG Anunoby’s three-pointer with 1:31 to go drew Toronto to within 52-48 at the break. The Raptors eventually took the lead on VanVleet’s three-point play with 3:54 to go in the third.
Laura Albanese is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. She's been covering MLB since 2014 after starting at Newsday as an intern seven years earlier.
