OGT Jan 18: Nets (11-30) @ Raptors (25-15) 7:30 PM EST

[Legends66NBA7]

http://global.nba.com/preview/#!/0021500621

The Toronto Raptors have yet to match their soaring start to this season, though a long homestand brings an opportunity to possibly exceed it.

The Atlantic Division leaders first have the chance to tie a season high with a fifth consecutive win when they begin a seven-game residency Monday night against the stumbling Brooklyn Nets.

Toronto (25-15) returns to Air Canada Centre for the first time since Jan. 3 following a five-game trip it concluded Thursday in London, where the Raptors recorded a hard-earned 106-103 overtime victory over Orlando. It's the team's third four-game win streak since opening the season a franchise-best 5-0.

The Raptors showed plenty of resolve in the finale of the 11-day trek, battling back after losing an 11-point fourth-quarter lead and overcoming poor shooting performances from DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. DeRozan finished with a season-low 13 points on 4-of-19 shooting and Lowry was 5 of 20.

"It happens," said Lowry, who still managed 24 points and is averaging 22.0 over his last six. "At the end of the day, our teammates picked us up and we got the win. That's all that matters. We have a full team and we can have off-shooting nights."

The Raptors have made just 28.6 percent of 3-point attempts during the streak but are excelling at the foul line and defensively. They've shot 84.3 percent from the charity stripe and allowed an average 90.0 points while forcing 16.8 turnovers over the four games.

Toronto's surge began with a 91-74 win in Brooklyn on Jan. 6 in which it held the Nets to 39.7 percent to offset a 4-of-22 effort from 3.

Brooklyn (11-30) has fired coach Lionel Hollins since that meeting, and fell to 1/3 under interim replacement Tony Brown and 3-24 when scoring less than 100 points in Saturday's 114-86 blowout loss at Atlanta.

"I know there are nights like this in the NBA. But what I told them is I want to see a little more fight," said Brown, whose team was outscored 59-38 in the second half. "When you get into adversity, things are not going your way, it's easy to not do as much. We've got some guys not playing their best basketball, but they have to fight their way out of these situations. I can sit there and talk to them all day, run plays for them, but you've got to reach deep down and see how bad you want it. I thought (Saturday) we let go of the rope a little bit."

The Hawks finished with a 64-30 advantage in the paint, capitalizing on a continued weakness during Brown's brief tenure. The Nets are allowing 55.5 points in the lane over his four games, during which opponents have averaged 110.0 points and shot 51.0 percent. Brooklyn previously allowed an average of 43.8 points in the paint.

Toronto took advantage as well in the last meeting, with center Jonas Valanciunas scoring a season-high 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting.

Brook Lopez had 24 points and 13 rebounds in the Jan. 6 matchup but was held to 10 points and a season-low three rebounds by the Hawks.

The Nets are 4-15 on the road but did record a 109-93 win in their last visit to Toronto on Feb. 4, 2015.

[Legends66NBA7]

I wonder if Thad Young is someone the Raptors want to get at the trade deadline.

[Legends66NBA7]

Joe Johnson turning back the clock, great.

[Sakkreth]

This Joe Johnson vs James Johnson stuff is a bit confusing

[Legends66NBA7]

And some Raptor fans think..

"Hey, lets start Norman Powell at SF tonight"

[Sakkreth]

And some Raptor fans think..

"Hey, lets start Norman Powell at SF tonight"

No defense at all so far. Caroll would of been nice to have for this one.

[Legends66NBA7]

Raps bench with a huge lift in this 2nd quarter.

[Sakkreth]

Raps bench with a huge lift in this 2nd quarter.

Patterson actually has been great this month.

[Legends66NBA7]

I can live with the Lopez making long 2's all night. Just don't want the rest of the Nets going off.

[Legends66NBA7]

Been all offense for both teams.

Lowry taking over, though. Starting backcourt with 54 points and with 9+ minutes to go. Got to close the deal.

[Legends66NBA7]

Patterson actually has been great this month.

I know we all kinda hate Ross at this point but he had some great flashes off the bench and his defense has been there all year. Same with Patterson.

They are shooters. It's all about rhythm.

[yeaaaman]

JV seriously needs to learn how to spin the other way and actually shoot over his right shoulder with his left.

[Legends66NBA7]

Kyle and DeMar with...

61pts/6reb/13ast/5stl combined. JV with some huge rebounds and defense down the stretch too. Also, another great game by the bench tonight too.


Not a way to play defense, but I'll take the win. Raptors last year at the half point were 27-14, in a weaker conference, had less overall injuries, and were trending downards. This year, 26-15 in a stronger conference, have more overall injuries, and are trending upwards. Hope the second half of the season keeps trending upward.