Nic Claxton was not on the courtroom for lengthy within the Nets‘ 101-94 defeat of the Toronto Raptors on Thursday at Scotiabank Arena. After being intentionally fouled by Kelly Olynyk on a drive to the hoop with 8:46 left in the second quarter, a frustrated Claxton tossed the ball into the stands.
Claxton seemed like he was still mad about a no-call on his missed shot the prior possession. His toss seemed harmless enough in the moment, but the referees decided to throw him out anyway. It was Claxton’s third ejection in 27 appearances this season.
The middle was visibly upset leaving the courtroom, to the purpose the place he picked up a seat cushion and lifted it above his head, seemingly gearing as much as throw that, too. Fortunately for him and the Nets, assistant coach Juwan Howard was there to save lots of Claxton from additional self-discipline.
Brooklyn was already shorthanded coming into the evening, however fared effectively sufficient with out Claxton, though they might not purchase a bucket for a lot of the recreation. It led Toronto 52-46 on the break, due to sturdy halfcourt protection and one other stellar offensive recreation by Cam Johnson. The Raptors have been capturing simply 37% from the sphere by 24 minutes and the Nets have been dominating the glass 31-16.
The Nets’ offense went ice chilly in a 3rd quarter the place they shot simply 27.8% from the sphere and went 1-for-11 from deep. Toronto shot just below 48% within the interval however went 7-for-11 from behind the arc, which allowed it to construct a 76-70 lead coming into the ultimate body.
Brooklyn, fueled by its second unit, went on a 10-2 run to make it a one-point recreation with 6:52 left, and it was a back-and-forth affair from there. One other Johnson trey put the guests up 93-90 with 1:44 to play. He was fouled on the Nets’ subsequent offensive possession to increase their result in 5, then Noah Clowney drew a cost on Scottie Barnes on the different finish.
Dorian Finney-Smith blocked a Gradey Dick 3-pointer 32 seconds left, and that successfully put the sport on ice. The Raptors have been compelled to play the free throw recreation from there, and Brooklyn was capable of maintain on.
The Nets snapped a three-game shedding streak and improved to 11-16 with the win. They have been capable of overcome 17 turnovers, which created 16 factors for Toronto, on an evening the place they shot simply 40.2% from the sphere and 23.1% from 3-point vary. Whereas The Raptors made 15 treys, they have been restricted to only 39.5% capturing for the sport. Brooklyn additionally dominated the glass 53-34.
Johnson completed with a game-high 33 factors on 9-for-15 capturing. Ben Simmons added 12 factors, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Newly acquired two-way guard Reece Beekman performed three minutes in his Nets debut. Brooklyn received 41 factors out of its bench.
Ochai Agbaji led the Raptors with 20 factors and 5 assists.
The Nets will return to motion on Saturday in opposition to the Utah Jazz at Barclays Heart.
