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Toronto Raptors struggle to score against Brooklyn Nets, resulting in 11th consecutive loss
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    Toronto Raptors struggle to score against Brooklyn Nets, resulting in 11th consecutive loss

    Dennis Schroder had 19 points, seven assists and five rebounds to lead the Brooklyn Nets past Toronto 96-88 on Monday as the Raptors found themselves mired in a gambling investigation.

    It was Schroder’s first game back in Toronto after being traded to the Nets ahead of the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 8.

    Trendon Watford had 19 points and seven boards off the bench as Brooklyn (27-45) snapped a six-game losing skid.

    Gary Trent Jr. scored 18 points as undermanned Toronto (23-49) dropped its 11th game in a row. Javon Freeman-Liberty added 15 points.

    Media reports came out an hour before tipoff saying that Raptors backup centre Jontay Porter is being investigated by the NBA for irregularities on prop betting involving him. 

    Porter has been on Toronto’s inactive list since Saturday for “personal reasons.”

    His absence was part of a large number of players unavailable to the Raptors. All-star forward Scottie Barnes (left hand fracture), centre Jakob Poeltl (left hand torn ligament), swingman RJ Barrett (personal reasons), point guard Immanuel Quickley (personal reasons), forward Chris Boucher (partial MCL tear), and guard D.J. Carton (right ankle sprain) were also out.

    Barnes, Barrett and Quickley were all on Toronto’s bench on Monday. Barrett, from Mississauga, Ont., has missed six games as his family mourns the death of his younger brother.

    Trent drained a 27-foot three-pointer with 5:24 left in the first to give the Raptors their first lead of the game. That was as close as they would get in the quarter, with Brooklyn holding a 22-20 lead at the end of the period.

    Watford had 11 points off the bench in the second quarter as the Nets added to their lead. Brooklyn built a 49-45 advantage by intermission, outscoring Toronto in both of the first two quarters.

    The Raptors recovered a tipped pass and then quickly swung the ball around the arc to find a wide-open Bruce Brown in the corner. He paused to gather himself as the Nets’ defence recovered, before swishing a three-pointer for a one-point lead with 1:48 left to play in the third quarter.

    It was only the second lead of the game for the hosts, with cheers from the 18,376 fans at Scotiabank Arena building to a roar as the play unfolded.

    Toronto reserve forward Jordan Nwora hit a jump shot on the next possession but Dorian Finney-Smith tipped in a shot as the Raptors went into the final quarter with a 69-68 lead.

    A 7-1 run early in the fourth re-established Brooklyn’s lead. An 8-0 run in the final 3:39 of the fourth, with Schroder scoring four points and adding an assist, put the game out of reach for Toronto.

    HELPING HAND

    The Raptors’ 23 assists against Brooklyn set a single-season franchise record of 2,086 total assists. The previous record (2,085) was set during the 2018-19 campaign when Toronto won the NBA championship. 

    SCHRODER RETURNS

    Schroder received a warm welcome from Toronto fans on Monday when he was announced during pre-game introductions despite only playing half a season for the Raptors, having signed with the team as a free agent in the off-season.

    “I think that he did a great job with us,” said Rajakovic before tipoff. “I thought that he was competitive, that he was bringing edge in every single game and that’s something that I respect and value a lot.”

    UP NEXT

    The Raptors host the New York Knicks on Wednesday.

    Brooklyn visits the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.

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    The Toronto Raptors are currently facing a tough stretch as they struggle to score against the Brooklyn Nets, resulting in their 11th consecutive loss. The Raptors, who were once considered one of the top teams in the NBA, have been plagued by injuries and inconsistent play this season.

    One of the main reasons for the Raptors’ offensive struggles against the Nets is their inability to convert on their scoring opportunities. The team has been shooting poorly from the field and struggling to find their rhythm on offense. This has led to a lack of scoring production and has put them at a disadvantage against their opponents.

    Another factor contributing to the Raptors’ scoring woes is their lack of depth on the roster. With key players like Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet out due to injuries, the team has had to rely on their bench players to step up and contribute on offense. However, the lack of scoring options has made it difficult for the Raptors to keep up with the high-powered offense of the Nets.

    In addition, the Raptors have also struggled on the defensive end, allowing the Nets to score at will and build a comfortable lead. This has put even more pressure on the Raptors to score on offense, but they have been unable to find a solution to their scoring woes.

    As the Raptors continue to search for answers, it is clear that they will need to make some adjustments in order to turn things around. Whether it be improving their shooting efficiency, getting healthy players back on the court, or making changes to their offensive strategy, the Raptors will need to find a way to break out of their scoring slump and get back on track.

    Overall, the Toronto Raptors’ struggles to score against the Brooklyn Nets have been a major factor in their 11th consecutive loss. As they continue to search for solutions, it will be important for the team to address their offensive deficiencies and find ways to improve their scoring output in order to get back in the win column.