NBA Playoffs 2014: Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors series preview
The Brooklyn Nets (44-38) didn’t want any part of the Chicago Bulls and rested players throughout the final weeks of the season. That allowed the Washington Wizards to pass the Bulls and now the Nets will take on the team that won their division, the Toronto Raptors (48-34). The Nets started the year 10-21, but really turned things around, finishing the season 34-17. The Raptors had a huge turnaround this season, led by their back court of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.
Season Schedule:
Game 1 in Toronto: Saturday, April 19, 12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 2 in Toronto: Tuesday, April 22, 8 p.m. ET, NBATV
Game 3 in New York: Friday, April 25, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Game 4 in New York: Sunday, April 27, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 5 in Toronto (if necessary): Wednesday, April 30
Game 6 in New York (if necessary): Friday, May 2
Game 7 in Toronto (if necessary): Sunday, May 4
Season Series: Split 2-2
| Brooklyn Nets | Toronto Raptors |
| Kevin Garnett | Jonas Valanciunas |
| Paul Pierce | Amir Johnson |
| Joe Johnson | Terrence Ross |
| Sean Livingston | DeMar DeRozan |
| Deron Williams | Kyle Lowry |
| Brooklyn Nets | Toronto Raptors | |
| Pace | 93.68 | 94.42 |
| Offensive Rating | 104.4 | 105.8 |
| Defensive Rating | 104.9 | 102.4 |
This should be one of the better matchups of the first round. The Nets have done a good job of resting players and should be mostly healthy entering the playoffs (with the exception of center Brook Lopez, who is out for the season after foot surgery). After adding Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, the Nets believed they were legitimate contenders and this is their time to prove it.