Toronto Raptors grind out an ugly Game 2 over the Brooklyn Nets

The Nets played the Raptors much tougher in Game 2, but the result was the same — a solid win for Toronto.

The Raptors dominated the Nets in Game 1, running away with a 24-point blowout win. Their offense was running on all cylinders and they easily put up 134 on the undermanned Nets. But Brooklyn made things much tougher in Game 2 and it took Toronto every single possession to escape with a win in Game 2.

Brooklyn came out quickly, leading by as much as 14 in the first quarter with Caris LeVert racking up 10 points and 5 assists in the quarter. The Raptors outside shooters struggled mightily, finishing 9-of-35 on 3-pointers but they tightened the screws on defense, kept grinding and eventually were able to put themselves in front.

The final possession was a microcosm of the game — Brooklyn with a chance to tie, but the Kyle Lowry bottling up the first option and the swarming Raptors’ defense making sure there was no Plan B.

What else did you miss in Game 2 between the Raptors and Nets?

Key lineup: Raptors spreading the floor and going small

Jarrett Allen was a force for the Nets, controlling the paint with 3 blocks and 15 rebounds. The Raptors really started making up ground when the went away from trying to have Marc Gasol out-muscle him, instead turning to a smallball lineup to make Allen move and draw him away from the basket.

The Raptors were +11 in the fourth quarter, all with Gasol on the bench. In particular, the unit of Lowry, Fred VanVleet, Norman Powell, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam gave the Nets fits and helped close out the game.

Turning point: Rodions Kurucs getting physical with OG Anunoby

Three minutes into the fourth quarter, with the Nets holding a one-point lead, Rodions Kurucs threw his shoulder into OG Anunoby in an obviously illegal screen.

The play was reviewed to see if it qualified as a flagrant foul but it stayed as a common foul. However, it was a hard hit and seemed to jar both Anunoby and the Raptors. On the next possession, Anunoby did this:

A possession later the Raptors took a one-point lead on a pair of Anunoby free throws. That lead swelled as big as six and the Nets never lead again.

Unsung hero: Norman Powell

Powell didn’t lead the Raptors in scoring but his 24 points off the bench were crucial, keeping Toronto close in the first half and helping them separate in the second. He was just 1-of-6 from beyond the arc but he wasn’t the only Raptor who missed some outside shots they normally make. Inside the arc, he was 10-of-11, including this poster:

https://twitter.com/DunkBrasiI/status/1296168581877637122

He also picked up a steal and dunk to ice the game after the Nets bobbled the ball on a potential game-winning attempt. Toronto has shortened their rotation, only seven players were on the court for more than 10 minutes in Game 2. Powell works perfectly as the third guard, pushing in transition, defending bigger backcourt players and attacking closeouts after Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry have bent the defense.