Barnes scores first 11 shots, as the Raptors thrash the Nets 133-97 in Brooklyn.
Follow Us
There was no Kevin Durant, no Steve Nash, and no one to defend Scottie Barnes. The Brooklyn Nets were without a lot of players on Monday, but the Raptors youngster wasn’t missing anything at all. Barnes hit his first 11 shots and finished with 28 points and a season-high 16 rebounds to lead the Raptors to a 133-97 win against the Nets in the opening game of a home-and-home series.
Take off then ✈️@ScottBarnes561 pic.twitter.com/FnBrjj5m93
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 1, 2022
The Raptors were on the right side of a romp after being blown out by Charlotte and Atlanta in their first two games since the All-Star break.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the forward was 10 for 10 at halftime, the first rookie to be perfect on 10 or more shots in half since Derrick Rose on March 18, 2009. The No. 4 selection was ultimately halted by the Nets when James Johnson blocked his shot with 7:08 remaining in the third quarter.
Barnes was on his way to tying his highest-scoring game of the season, which had come on a night when Toronto led by as many as 39 points. In his 12-for-14 effort, he snagged nine offensive rebounds, some of which he returned for points.
Precious Achiuwa led the Raptors with 20 points and eight rebounds despite missing All-Star guard Fred VanVleet due to a weak right knee. In his place, Flynn scored 18 points.
READ MORE: The Ja Morant show continues with career-high 52 points
The teams meet again in Toronto on Tuesday, which the Nets believe will be their last game without Durant, who is scheduled to return shortly after missing the previous 20 games with a damaged left knee ligament. The Nets were also without Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons, and Nash was put in health and safety procedures just before the game. In his absence, assistant coach Jacque Vaughn led the club.
The Raptors jumped three games clear of the Nets for seventh place in the Eastern Conference. The No. 7 seed hosts No. 8 in the first round of the play-in round, with the victor obtaining the No. 7 seed. The winner of the 9-10 game for the No. 8 seed will play at No. 8.
The Nets never expected to be in that situation, but it seems to be becoming more plausible following their 14th defeat in 17 games. LaMarcus Aldridge led the way with 15 points, followed by Cam Thomas and Bruce Brown with 14 each.
On Saturday, Brooklyn defeated reigning champion Milwaukee, with Irving scoring 38 points. Irving was not accessible at home on Monday because he has not fulfilled New York City’s immunization obligation, and he will not be permitted to fly to Toronto.
Before the game, Nash said that he had no additional discussions with Irving about obtaining the shot.
Toronto led 42-27 after one quarter after going 6 for 9 from the 3-point range. Barnes had 13 points on 5-for-5 shooting in the first quarter, then went 5 for 5 and scored 11 in the second, when Toronto led by 28 points before taking a 71-48 advantage into halftime.
